Part of Lucas Davenport, book 1
First published 2005
A serial killer stalks the Twin Cities, leaving behind carefully planned murders and cryptic messages. He calls himself Maddog and treats each killing like a game, setting up intricate puzzles to confuse investigators. The Minneapolis police struggle against his intelligence and cunning until Lieutenant Lucas Davenport joins the case. Davenport operates by his own methods, bringing a sharp mind and relentless determination to the hunt. As the detective closes in, Maddog realizes he finally faces an opponent who can match his tactical thinking. The two men circle each other in a deadly contest of wits, each move raising the stakes. Davenport must decode the killer's twisted logic before more victims die, while Maddog adapts his strategy to stay ahead of his pursuer. This cat and mouse game pushes both men to their limits in a battle that will define their futures.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: cat-and-mouse, enemies-to-lovers
Setting: Twin Cities, Minneapolis
Period: 20th-century
479 pages · Mass Market Paperback · G.P. Putnam's Sons
Content warnings: murder, violence