Compelled by Inge-Lise Goss is an unusual investigative novel; intriguing, beautifully paced, and gripping in an all-absorbing sort of way. When Sidney Langston, a New York Detective is rushed to the hospital because of severe chest pains, everyone expects the worst diagnosis. But she’s found to be in perfect health. And then something unusual happens. In San Diego, a woman who looks every bit like the detective is murdered. It happens at the same moment Sidney experiences the chest pains, and it seems the woman is not ready to quit until Detective Langston avenges the wrongful imprisonment of her husband and her death. Can Langston find the killer and heal herself of the invisible wound to her chest?

Compelled is a rare detective story with the worst stakes. The story starts with a bang, the tension mounts to a climax, and the denouement is as exhilarating as the very beginning. The writing is impeccable, the plot laced with surprises that are hard to anticipate. But what will keep the eyes of most readers glued to the pages is the mounting tension and who the protagonist is set against. I loved the suspense, and this disturbing desire to know more. The author will toy with your emotions and tease you while you watch anxiety build up in the lead character. Characters are solid, masterfully created, and carefully developed throughout the story. Inge-Lise Goss has created a winning thriller with characters that readers will care about or hate, but it’s the sense of mystery that permeates the story that I found interesting.

Sidney Langston is a detective in New York, who is suddenly stricken with chest pains that have doctors puzzled. Mara is a happily married woman living in San Diego, until she is murdered while waiting for her husband to return from a business trip. The two women are linked together as Mara, the ghost, finds Sidney through a medium, and uses Sidney to prove her husband’s innocence in her murder. Sidney quickly realizes that the pain disappears when she agrees to help Mara, and immediately sets off to solve the crime. There are few clues to go on, except those that Mara is able to convey, but Sidney refuses to stop digging until she finds the truth and proves Aden did not murder his wife. The story takes many twists and turns and there are many people involved who could easily be the real killer. This is a forget about your chores, stay up late book that you must read for yourself without any spoilers from this reviewer in order to truly appreciate it.

Compelled is an excellent mystery/sleuth book with a bit of ghostly intrigue. I found it to be everything a mystery book should be and more. Author Inge-Lise Goss gives us characters that are real, and some were likeable while others not so much. I usually shy away from ghost/spiritual type stories, but Compelled was not overdone and the mystery and sleuthing were the main themes for the story with the ghost adding an important element of enjoyment. I urge you to read Compelled because it is definitely a five star plus story.