‘Stranger You Seek’ a strong thriller debut

The citizens of Atlanta are no strangers to crime, but the populace is on edge when a serial killer called “The Wishbone Killer” begins a rampage that not only threatens to paralyze the entire city but has the police befuddled.

When former FBI analyst/turned private investigator Keye Street is asked by her friend, Lt. Aaron Rauser, to help the Atlanta Police Department put together a profile of the killer, she begins to see slight similarities in all the victims.

With “The Stranger You Seek,” debut author Amanda Kyle Williams introduces mystery fans to a feisty new heroine in a fast-paced, action-filled story that is sure to become a favorite of readers.

Keye Street, of Chinese descent, was adopted as a young child after her grandparents were killed in front of her. She grew up in Georgia in a unique family that honored their Southern roots while being proud of the heritage of Keye and her black adopted brother, Jimmy.

A smart woman with a doctorate in behavioral analysis, she worked with the FBI until her addiction to alcohol destroyed her career. She returned home to open up her own private investigation business and was fairly content dealing with bail-jumpers and serving subpoenas. But something inside Keye always made her itch to return to her first love, analyzing what makes a criminal’s mind tick.

When Rauser asks her to help him out on the latest case, Keye jumps at the chance. Little does she know that the killer dubbed “Wishbone” soon will have her in his sight as a potential victim.

Williams keeps the action hopping while telling a gritty, sometimes violent story. Keye Street is intelligent with a wry sense of humor but has personal flaws that make her human — she longs for companionship but is afraid to let Rauser too close, especially after her failed first marriage.

Street keeps her friends close, but tries to get to know her enemies even better — a survival tactic that serves her well. And, probably most importantly, she doesn’t take herself too seriously.

There are several more Keye Street novels lined up for future publication, and I think mystery and thriller lovers will be awaiting them anxiously.