First published 2009
Jack McEvoy counts down his last days at the Los Angeles Times. Budget cuts force him out, but he plans one final story worthy of a Pulitzer Prize. He targets Alonzo Winslow, a sixteen year old who confessed to raping and strangling a crack client. Jack initially seeks to write about how society creates teenage killers. He gains access through Alonzo's trusting mother. But as Jack digs deeper, he discovers the confession is false. The case transforms into his biggest investigation since he hunted The Poet years earlier. Jack reunites with FBI Agent Rachel Walling to pursue a killer who operates invisibly beneath law enforcement detection. This murderer possesses complete knowledge of every move made against him. Jack unknowingly triggers a digital alarm system during his investigation. The killer now knows Jack approaches and prepares his response.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, cat-and-mouse
Setting: Los Angeles
Period: contemporary
419 pages · Hardcover · Little, Brown & Company
Content warnings: violence