Spencer Kope would be the most interesting guy in the room even if he hadn’t just published his debut thriller. His vocational past includes an extended stint in various areas of U.S. Naval Intelligence, while in his present day he is a crime analyst for the Whatcom County, Washington Sheriff’s Office. The latter gig has no doubt offered a target-rich environment for story fodder, and Kope has taken full advantage of that with COLLECTING THE DEAD, a novel that straddles the line between the mystery and (mildly) supernatural genres.

"Like the best books of the thriller genre, this one is driven in equal parts by characters (not just Steps) and plot. It’s difficult to put down, given that Kope has constructed one loudly ticking clock."

The plot is a terrific one and is based in part on a real-world, heretofore unsolved series of multijurisdictional murders that are being investigated as we sit. More on that in a moment. The star of the book is Magnus Craig, known as “Steps,” who has an uncanny ability to locate the missing and the hunted. As an FBI agent who is a key member of a three-person “Special Tracking Unit,” he is referred to as “The Human Bloodhound.” What is known by only a few people --- Steps’ father, his teammate Jimmy Donovan, and the FBI director --- is that Steps has the ability to see and track an aura that is unique to each individual, one that can remain long after it has been left. Early on, we get a taste of what Steps can do, and how; it is fascinating, similar to what a dog can do with its sense of smell, but involving visual acuity.

Kope takes pains to keep Steps somewhat low-key and very likable; he’s “just folks,” for the most part, though he is schooled by bad experience to keep the true extent and nature of his ability secret. Regrets? He’s had a few, particularly the big one that got away --- a serial killer who he dubbed “Leonardo.” However, he does have a new case with which to occupy himself. It’s a serial killer who makes a mark that only Steps can see, a frowning face traced by the killer’s finger at the scene of the crime. Whoever is committing these murders is clever, and Steps finds himself relying not only on his own hidden ability but also on the FBI’s resources in a race to stop the “Sad Face Killer” before he strikes again...even as Steps faces the possibility that the diabolical murderer may have some still-living victims stashed and awaiting execution.

Like the best books of the thriller genre, this one is driven in equal parts by characters (not just Steps) and plot. It’s difficult to put down, given that Kope has constructed one loudly ticking clock. Those who have been following the (possible) exploits of someone who has come to be known as the “Smiley Face Killer” over the last decade or two across the northern United States will find this novel particularly riveting as well. COLLECTING THE DEAD marks the beginning of what hopefully will be a series --- and a long-running one at that --- in the years to come.