Part of Alex Cross, book 5
First published 1999
Alex Cross has found love, but his newfound happiness crumbles when a string of brutal killings rocks Washington, D.C. The murders follow a disturbing pattern that baffles the police department. Cross throws himself into the investigation, following leads that point to Geoffrey Shafer, a British diplomat operating in the shadows of the nation's capital. But identifying the suspect proves easier than building a case against him. Shafer refuses to go quietly, launching his own calculated offensive against Cross and those he cares about. The detective finds himself locked in a deadly chess match where every move carries devastating consequences. As Shafer's counterattacks grow bolder, Cross realizes he faces an adversary unlike any before. The investigation becomes personal when Cross's fiancee gets pulled into the crossfire, forcing the detective to choose between his duty and protecting the woman he loves.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, action
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, personal-stakes
Setting: Washington DC
Period: Contemporary
461 pages · Mass Market Paperback · TIme Warner Books
Content warnings: violence