You could do worse than compare Robert Walker's Jessica Coran to Dana Scully, the brainy beauty of "The X-Files." The irony of that comparison would be that Jessica Coran has been pounding the fictional FBI's forensic pathology beat longer than Gillian Anderson's TV character. In 6 previous Instinct titles, Robert Walker has fashioned Jessica into a real person, who - beneath the FBI training and the tough exterior accustomed to seeing death up close and personal - feels real feelings and is plagued by real doubts ... doubts about her essentially lonely life, her career, and her career-driven attitude.

Over the course of those earlier novels (Killer Instinct, Fatal Instinct, Primal Instinct, Pure Instinct, Darkest Instinct, and Extreme Instinct), Jessica has used the lab to track the most vile of human predators, and her subtle detective work has invariably led her to become a target for those killers who view her as the ultimate trophy. Independent, headstrong, tough - Jessica was raised by a forensic scientist father who made sure she would be prepared to defend herself just as well in an alley as in a conference room, crime scene, or autopsy room. Unfortunately, her private life has suffered in inverse proportions to the success of her career, and those relationships she has managed to sustain have rarely ended well.

So when Scotland Yard comes calling in person, requesting her help on a case that has them stumped, Jessica accepts all too eagerly. Her latest long-distance relationship is about to wash ashore, and the change of scenery will do her good. Plus, she can't help but be attracted to Inspector Richard Sharpe. And the case is surely intriguing - three murders by crucifixion.

The Crucifier has rapidly become the London media's favorite topic, along with the helplessness exhibited by New Scotland Yard, which is why Jessica immediately steps into a political quagmire involving Sharpe, his young assistant Copperwaite, Chief Inspector Boulte, and pissed-off Medical Examiner Schuller, who's less than happy when Jessica's cursory examination reveals a Latin religious phrase tattooed under each victim's tongue. In a neatly related subplot, Jessica plays long-distance consultant in her own assistant's case - a tattooed John Doe killed by rabid dogs.

The religious connotations to the Crucifier's crusade attract another consultant, Father Jerrard Luc Sante - a bon-vivant priest whose revolutionary psychological theories of evil have labeled him somewhat of a crackpot, and his assistant, young Father Martin Strand. Luc Sante immediately charms Jessica, who must then consider that he may be involved with the Crucifier. Is it the old priest, or his assistant? Her new lover, Sharpe, or his own assistant? Jessica finds herself examining new victims, as the Crucifier plots to bring about a Second Coming.

Gruesome yet literary, this mystery-thriller delivers the goods over and over. Jessica Coran must separate the strands which obstruct her progress in every direction, and Walker neatly ties in both the Tattoo Man subplot and the theme of assistants and their roles. Consistently interesting whether speculating about Millennial fears or the role of evil in society, Blind Instinct is a first class glance behind the curtain that hides the darkness at the edge of civilization - for, when evil wraps itself in the shroud of religion, is it still evil?

If you've yet to read a Jessica Coran thriller, it's time to right that wrong. Forget Patricia Cornwell - Robert Walker's thrillers are deeper and more engaging. Highly recommended.