Part of Alex Cross, book 23
First published 2015
Alex Cross travels to Starksville, North Carolina, after thirty years away. His nephew Stefan Parks stands accused of raping and murdering a thirteen-year-old girl. The evidence appears convincing, but Cross and his wife Bree doubt Stefan committed this terrible crime. Cross begins investigating to prove his nephew's innocence while confronting his childhood hometown. During his overdue visit, Cross uncovers a family secret that makes him question his childhood memories. He wonders if he has believed lies his entire life. The Washington D.C. detective must gather enough evidence to clear Stefan's name while grappling with revelations about his own past. Cross faces two mysteries: the brutal murder of a young girl and the hidden truths of his family history.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Starksville, North Carolina, Washington D.C.
Period: 30 Years
420 pages · Hardcover · Little, Brown and Company
Content warnings: murder, rape