Love Is Red

Redefining the thriller's tale of the hunter and the hunted, This electrifying, hypnotically beautiful debut spins dark suspense and literary fantasy into a mesmerizing story of survival.

Katherine Emerson was born to fulfill a dark prophecy centuries in the making, but she doesn't know it yet. However, one man does: a killer stalking the women of New York City, a monster the media dubs the "Sickle Man" because of the weapon he uses to turn his victims' bodies into canvases for his twisted art. People think he's the next Son of Sam, but we know how he thinks and how he feels . . . and discover that he is driven by darker, much more dangerous desires than we can bear to imagine. He takes more than just his victims' lives, and each death brings him closer to the one woman he must possess at any cost.

Amid the city's escalating hysteria, Katherine is trying to unknot her tangled heart. Two very different men have entered her previously uneventful world—handsome and personable David, alluring yet aloof Sael—and turned it upside down. She finds herself involved in a complicated triangle . . . but how well does she really know either of them?

Told from the alternating viewpoints of Katherine and the Sickle Man, Sophie Jaff's intoxicating narrative will pull you in and hold you close. As the body count rises, Katherine is haunted by harrowing visions that force her to question her sanity. All she wants is to find love. He just wants to find her.

Ablaze with fear, mystery, and possibility, Love Is Red is the first book in the Night Song trilogy. With this unforgettable novel—one that combines the literary and the supernatural, fantasy and horror, the past and the present—Katherine's moment of awakening is here. And her story is only just beginning.

“The kick of this ridiculously entertaining book is the haze of delirium it creates in the readers brain…. Jaffs woozy supernatural saga is effectively scary and great fun to read.” < strong=""> < em=""> New York Times Book Review < m=""> < trong="">

“Intelligent, poetic, captivating and chilling…. The mystery at the core of Love is Red is so gripping you will find yourself carrying the book around with you until youre done.… You will want to re-read it as soon as youre finished.” < strong=""> Elizabeth Haynes, < em=""> New York Times < m=""> bestselling author of < em=""> Into The Darkest Corner < m=""> and < em=""> Under A Silent Moon < m=""> < trong="">

“Love is Red is a tornado of a novel. Jaff twists through so many suspenseful places. I couldnt turn the pages fast enough, but I wanted to linger, too. This is seriously scary stuff, offered up in high style and with wild narrative invention.” < strong=""> Laura Kasischke, nationally bestselling author of < em=""> Mind of Winter < m=""> and < em=""> The Raising < m=""> < trong="">

“A serial killer is on the loose this summer in New York, and Katherine Emerson doesnt know she was destined to be placed in the killers path. Emerson is also dating two men…. Talk about complications.” < strong=""> CNN.com, & #8220;Best Summer Beach Reads & #8221; < trong="">

“One of the summers most compelling reads.” < strong=""> < em=""> DuJour < m=""> < trong="">

“The excitement (and theres plenty of it) comes from the serial killers creepy, second-person accounts of his moves and from watching the cat-and-mouse game with Katherine.… Frightening.” < strong=""> < em=""> Booklist < m=""> < trong="">

“Set against the backdrop of a New York City on high alert for a serial killer murdering young, single women, Sophie Jaffs gothic romance novel…will have you on the edge of your seat.” < strong=""> PopSugar.com < trong="">

“The writing in this debut thriller is evocative and, simply put, gorgeous. Jaff does an amazing job at conveying all five senses at every moment…. The lush language and intricately fleshed-out characters make this a series—and author — to watch.” < strong=""> RT Book Reviews < trong="">

“One of the most unique and amazing books I have ever had the pleasure of reading.… Simultaneously beautiful and terrifying.” < strong=""> < em=""> Fresh Fiction < m=""> < trong="">

“I read it in one sitting. I cannot remember the last time I was so completely enthralled with a book…. Its good. Real good.” < strong=""> Smart Bitches, Trashy Books < trong="">

“Its been awhile since a book made me scared, like REALLY scared…. An enthralling and chilling start to a new trilogy which will have readers at the edge of their seat! [A] stellar debut.” < strong=""> Short & Sweet Reviews < trong="">

“This is a very creepy book…[that] makes for a shudder worthy read, with the supernatural aspects only heightening the building sense of dread. Keep an eye on Sophie Jaff, and read this one with the lights on.” < strong=""> MyBookishWays.com < trong="">

“Jaff builds a tale of fear and romance…. Her interplay between the protagonists keeps you guessing…. The narrative of the killer as he chooses his prey and continues until he releases them in death is both sick and dramatic.” < strong=""> BlogCritics.com < trong="">

“Hard to put down…. We can look forward to two more of this exciting new work. This is an unusual read by a talented new writer.” < strong=""> BookLoons < trong="">

“Unbelievable for a debut novel.… Jaff writes brilliantly, with a touch of dark poetic language that is edgy, raw and compelling. I was caught from the very first.” < strong=""> Book Reader & #8217;s Heaven < trong="">

“If you would like to try an occult-tinged thriller with a contemporary urban setting, Love Is Red would be the perfect read. This debut novel by Sophie Jaff is a haunting tale of love, revenge, fear and faith seasoned with just a touch of gothic terror.” < strong=""> Night Owl Reviews < trong="">

"Ridiculously entertaining.... Jaff's woozy supernatural saga is effectively scary and great fun to read."-- New York Times Book Review

This electrifying debut--Book I of the Night Song Trilogy--spins dark suspense and literary fantasy into a mesmerizing story of seduction and survival.

Katherine Emerson was born to fulfill a dark prophecy centuries in the making, but she doesn't know it yet. However, one man does: a killer stalking the women of New York City. People think he's the next Son of Sam, but we know how he thinks and how he feels . . . and discover that he is driven by darker, much more dangerous desires than we can bear to imagine. He takes more than just his victims' lives, and each death brings him closer to the one woman he must possess at any cost.

Amid the escalating hysteria, Katherine is trying to unknot her tangled heart. Two different men have entered her previously uneventful world and turned it upside down. She finds herself involved in a complicated triangle . . . but how well does she really know either of them?

As the body count rises, Katherine is haunted by harrowing visions that force her to question her sanity. With this unforgettable novel--one that combines the literary and the supernatural, fantasy and horror, the past and the present--Katherine's moment of awakening is here. And her story is only just beginning.

A native of South Africa, Sophie Jaff is an alumna of the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, and a fellow of the Dramatists Guild of America. Her work has been performed at Symphony Space, Lincoln Center, the Duplex, the Gershwin, and Goodspeed Musicals. She lives in New York City.