A rare interval of peace at the Buckley estate is about to come to an abrupt end. Hoping to minimize the distress to her family, Celine has been harboring a secret, a veiled threat issued by the reliably treacherous Duke Marcus Northcott. Unsure of where to turn, Celine confides in her cousin and best friend, Damien, hoping he can shed some light on the situation. As distraught as ever, Damien worries over Celine’s emerging health problems as he ponders the Duke’s ominous warning. Adding to Damien’s stresses are his own profound insecurities about his place in Celine’s life. In quick succession, an unexpected visitor, a seemingly innocent gift and a cryptic statement uttered while in a trance turn tranquility into chaos for these Shadow Slayers. Something grave is happening to Celine and her immortality may be at risk. Damien might be the smartest human at Buckley estate, but an emerging threat could outsmart this computer genius. And when that danger spans the ages, enemies might have to become uneasy allies in order to avert disaster.
Steele’s writing is nothing if not consistent, and that is terrific news for fans of the effortless Shadow Slayers series of supernatural thrillers. Trouble is filled with enough ominous warnings, tense supernatural situations and cliffhanging chapter breaks that you won’t be able to easily put this book down. More than other books in the series, Trouble narrows in on the complex interpersonal relationships among the characters, particularly Damien’s friendship with Celine’s ex-boyfriend and also his tentative relationship with her husband. This emotional uncertainty and instability is a recurring theme that isn’t fully unraveled until the final electrifying pages. A found-family story that conveys a genuine sense of belonging, Trouble may have fearful moments and perilous situations, but is overwhelmingly warm at its core. For a novel that is as emotionally compelling as it is suspenseful, Trouble is a spirited tale with a cast you’ll be eager to spend time with.
