by Lisa Gardner
Part of Detective D.D. Warren, book 8
First published 2014
Detective D.D. Warren faces her most personal case yet when a serial killer begins targeting young women across the city. The murderer follows a precise ritual, leaving a red rose and champagne at each crime scene. Warren must decode these symbolic clues to understand the killer's psychology and predict his next move. The investigation takes a dangerous turn when Warren suffers a mysterious accident while examining one victim's home. As she struggles to recover and return to full strength, the psychopath continues his deadly spree. Warren finds herself directly threatened by the very killer she's pursuing. The case becomes a race against time as Warren battles both her physical limitations and a cunning adversary who seems to stay one step ahead. She must push through her injuries to solve the puzzle before more women die. The killer's pattern holds the key to his identity, but Warren discovers that getting close enough to catch him means putting herself in mortal danger.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: cat-and-mouse, race-against-time
Setting: City
416 pages · Hardcover · Dutton
Content warnings: violence