Neil McMahon. Twice Dying (2000) 205 pp.
Beautiful psychologist Alison Chapley wants to know why a string of NGIs—violent sociopaths found not guilty by reason of insanity—are being released into society and then systematically disappearing under mysterious circumstances. To assist her in her search for answers, she calls on her former lover, San Francisco emergency-room doctor and malpractice investigator Carroll Monks. Monks discovers that the NGIs are being ritualistically murdered by a serial killer, who begins to threaten Carroll and Alison when their investigation gets too close, leading them to a confrontation with a brilliant psychopath who calls herself Naia, Queen of Cobras.