I was really drawn into this gothic-style mystery from the first page. From what I understood from the author's note at the beginning, this is a first for Amanda Quick and I think she really nails the feel and style of the gothic. 
 The book was really driven forward by the need to figure out who was taunting Calista with the memento mori objects. While, I felt, the opening chapter set things up pretty well in regards to who could be behind the threats, it quickly became apparent there were more pieces to the puzzle. In terms of giving the reader a fair opportunity to figure out why Calista was being threatened I don't think there's any way to know the exact reason behind things until the very end when all is revealed. I think there are some instances where the reader is purposefully mislead in the way things are presented, and I'm not really sure how I feel about that. Being a mystery to solve, I'd almost like my own chance to figure things out as I go along. 
 I did like the sleuthing duo of Calista and Trent, however. I loved Trent being the popular mystery writer in which everyone seems to have an opinion about how he should write his latest serial publication. I would be interested in reading more books with them solving one mystery or another. I liked that Trent wasn't a typical handsome leading male. Although Calista does describe him as striking, he bare the scars of a tragic past. Scars that undeniably cause him to be self-conscious. More than once in the book Trent's sister looks upon his involvement in the mystery as him getting out of this shell he's built around himself since the accident. 
 The relationship that develops between Trent and Calista was perfectly paced for this kind of heart-pounding thriller. I didn't mind that their attraction pretty much starts right after meeting one another. Calista is the type of woman who can take care of herself, but understands when she needs help too. Trent is used to getting what he wants from people. Being a famous author, he will throw out his name to open more doors, and I think he's a little perturbed when this doesn't work on Calista, despite the fact that she's a big fan. 
 Amanda Quick does a great job of showing how Trent's tragedy not only effects him, but effects those around him, namely his sister and brother who carry some burden for Trent's sufferings. In that way, we see all of them breaking out of the respective shells they've each built around their own lives and learn to let go of the past.