The Skin Thief, a thrilling work of fiction with paranormal elements by T.E. MacArthur, follows the story of Agent X138, an intelligence operative for the Athenaeum Intelligence Agency. X138 embarks on a mission to determine the fate of two missing agents in Southwest Colorado. At night, he ventures into the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa de Los Muertos and mysteriously vanishes. Agent Tessa Wells-Lancing is subsequently dispatched to continue the investigation. Determined to succeed, she enlists the help of a man from her past who is not affiliated with the agency. Together, Tessa and Jack endeavor to uncover the truth behind the strange occurrences on the mesa. Is there really a supernatural force responsible for the deaths of the agents, or is there a more mundane human explanation?

The author’s writing style in The Skin Thief is exceptional. It captivated me from the opening line, “Agent X138 refused to believe in ghosts, despite the gnawing premonition he was about to become one of them.” The vivid descriptions, particularly of the eerie settings, allowed me to visualize myself in the character’s shoes, and the suspenseful plot kept me engaged throughout the book. I enjoyed piecing together the mystery and attempting to unravel it before the characters did. Moreover, the book’s inclusion of the history of the ancient native people who inhabited the Southwest desert thousands of years ago was a nice touch. The interactions between Tessa and Jack were fascinating, and I appreciated the scenes in which they worked together. Nevertheless, the book left a few unanswered questions, which I hope will be addressed in a sequel featuring Tessa and Jack as partners investigating a new case. The twist at the end of the book, which I failed to predict, was a pleasant surprise. However, the twist resulted in some plot holes in the story, and some events earlier in the book did not align with this new reality.

Overall, The Skin Thief is an entertaining paranormal thriller that will keep readers hooked until the end. With moments of suspense and romance, there is something in this gripping novel for everyone.

Pages: 368 | ASIN : B0BWK45577