drey's library

Oh Gin. Poor girl can’t even go on vacation without attracting trouble. *sigh* At least this time she doesn’t quite die… Her vacation doesn’t get any better when she runs into her former flame – the hunky detective who ran hard and fast away from Gin – who’s now engaged to Bria’s BFF Callie. Sometimes this world is just way too small!When Gin realizes that Callie is facing the same bullying threat that Mab Monroe used to rule Ashland, she steps in to help. No matter what Donovan thinks, the rule of law only applies to those who actually respect the law – and Randall Dekes certainly doesn’t. Why would he, when he practically owns the town, and has his own source of elemental magic to play with?Gin goes through quite a bit – both emotionally and physically. She has to deal with her feelings of rejection – from Donovan, and possibly from Bria – as well as the jealousy stemming from Bria’s close connection to Callie, a connection Gin wishes she had. She has to survive tangling with Randall – who’s definitely stronger than she thought he’d be. And she has to fix things for Callie – because to not do anything would hurt Bria. So this assassin-on-vacation picks up the tools of her trade and goes out to tangle with the big bad villain.The plot runs smoothly, and we already know most of the characters. Owen and Finn come out to play too, and there are a few tense moments between Owen and Donovan – although why there’d be any on Donovan’s part is a mystery to me. Then again, he can be quite the arrogant jerk, which just means that Gin’s so much better off with Owen anyway.The ending is satisfying, if predictable. And while I’m glad to see the back of Detective Caine, I’m even happier to see Bria realize that the many parts of her big sister all add up to a good person – never mind the assassin part. By a Thread is worth a read, but do pick up the previous books to get your fill of Gin. drey’s rating: Pick it up!