by Robert Crais
Part of Elvis Cole and Joe Pike, book 11
First published 2007
Joe Pike owes a debt from long ago. When called to collect, he finds himself protecting Larkin Conner Barkley, a wealthy young woman serving as a federal witness in a major criminal case. Barkley proves to be more than just another spoiled rich kid. Someone keeps revealing their locations to assassins who close in with deadly precision. Pike realizes they need to vanish completely. He takes Barkley deep into the hidden corners of Los Angeles, flipping the script to become the hunters rather than the hunted. Working alongside his partner Elvis Cole, Pike discovers layers of deception that reach into law enforcement itself. The cops pursuing them harbor their own secrets. Bodies pile up as Pike fights enemies on multiple fronts. His greatest challenge may not be the professional killers or corrupt officials. Larkin Barkley carries wounds that drive her toward self-destruction, and Pike must find a way to reach past her defenses before she destroys them both.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, action
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Los Angeles
Paperback · Simon & Schuster Export
Content warnings: violence