The Gingerbread Man — Maggie Shayne

Detective Vincent O'Mally has always been able to remain calm and objective while investigating even the most gruesome of crimes. But when he finds two missing children dead in an abandoned house, his well-ordered life turns upside down...

When the FBI takes over the case, a traumatized Vince reluctantly agrees to take some time off--but vows to find the murderer on his own. With a piece of crime scene evidence to guide his investigation, he travels to a small town in upstate New York, where he meets Holly Newman--a fragile woman whose sister was abducted and killed years ago. Vince is convinced that her sister's death is linked to the recent murders--and that essential clues are hidden deep in Holly's mind. Now, desperate to solve the one case he just can't let go, he must find a way to reach this lovely, lonely woman--and help her confront the searing memories that have haunted her all these long, painful years...