I just finished reading The Halo Effect by M.J. Rose and wanted to say how very much I enjoyed it.

The Halo Effect is more than just a mystery, it is a spell-binding trip through the psyche of a killer and in the midst of that there are other stories being told. We have Dr. Morgan Snow, her daughter Dulcie, her ex-husband Mitch, Cleo Thane who is a patient of Dr. Snow's in addition to being a prostitute, Detective Noah Jordain (drool LOL), and Nina Butterfield who owns The Butterfield Institute, the clinic where Dr. Snow works. There are many other minor characters, clients of Cleo's, friends of Cleo's, the killer (not gonna spoiler that one), and Detective Perez who is Noah's partner.

There is a killer who is murdering prostitutes in a very ritualistic pattern and using religious items in the process. Morgan has consulted with the police in the past and is asked to do so again, but for more than just that reason. That is how she meets Noah Jordain. The relationship between Morgan and her mentor, Nina Butterfield is both interesting and multi-layered. We also get to see Morgan's interactions with Dulcie as they approach those lovely teen years. Those of us who survived raising children know all about those years and if you're like me, you have the gray hair to prove it. All kidding aside, I have a lovely daughter and am very proud to be her mother :-)

It may or may not be usual for people to believe that those in helping professions such as therapists should have their issues all resolved, but it isn't so, and it was nice to see that shown via Morgan's reactions and interactions with those around her.

It was fascinating to feel as if I were inside the minds of so many different people via the story and Morgan's interactions with those around her. I realize that many books offer that insight, but this was a more intense feeling of seeing through the characters' eyes. I did have a fair idea of who the killer was quite a bit before the reveal, but felt that might be the author's intent so as to make the reader want to tell Morgan "NO, don't go there" just as many feel while viewing a good film or television show. Knowing who the killer was didn't detract from the story at all, in fact it rather increased the suspense a bit.

There is a preview at the back about the next story in this series and I am looking forward to reading it as well. I highly recommend this book, but do want to suggest that you start it when you can read non-stop, as it was most difficult to put it down.