A deadly game. A secret society. A detective clinging to her badge. For the past month, Darby Shaw, detective for the Kansas City Bendex Police Department, has been working with whoever in her department needs her while her partner has been on medical leave. Hours before he's to return and her life-hopefully-will return to some semblance of normal, she gets called in on a possible homicide. The victim is frozen stiff, but it hasn't yet been cold enough in early November for that to happen. Even more mystifying: the fingerprints of the young man have been removed, making identifying him nearly impossible. Darby's partner, Mark Herman, has more on his plate than just the victim of the case he walks into coming off of medical leave. The fact that Darby not only revived him from death just a few short weeks ago, and that their relationship has become deeper than simply partners and friends weighs heavily on not just him, but the department shrink. Initially, he thinks working with his girlfriend, whom he also has a mental communication link to, will be good. But as the days move on, he realizes how much of a distraction it is to be working side by side with the woman he loves. Is it really for the best that they continue working together? As they try to balance work, love, and their unusual superhuman psychic connection, Darby and Mark peel back the layers of a case that only leaves them with more questions as they dig through the dark underbelly of Kansas City and a secretive superhuman group. And if they're not careful, one or both of them may lose their careers over it. Escalation is the fifth book in the Darby Shaw Chronicles. If you love female detectives, mystery mixed with fantastical characters, and an urban fantasy feel, buy Escalation now!