Murder Book: A Novel (Hardcover)
An ex-cop takes on a widespread criminal organization targeting Midwestern towns in this "master class in the craft of suspense" (New York Times) from the author of The Old Man.
When a sudden crime wave hits several small midwestern towns, the U.S. Attorney for the region calls on Harry Duncan to investigate. An ex-cop known for his unorthodox methods, Duncan is reluctant to go up against a widespread criminal organization—but the attorney in question is Ellen Leicester, the wife who left him fifteen years earlier, and to her, he can’t say no.
Initially brought in as a consultant to determine if the racketeering is severe enough to require an all-out investigation by the FBI, Duncan quickly finds himself in conflict with a syndicate far more violent than first suspected. As the investigation develops, he begins compiling a “murder book,” the notebook in which a detective keeps records, interviews, photos—everything he needs to build his case. But his scrutiny of the gang soon makes Duncan a target. And Ellen, too.
A thrilling and suspenseful tour of crime-addled midwestern towns, Murder Book is signature Thomas Perry, with characters you won’t soon forget, crisply-described action sequences, and breathlessly-tense plotting that will keep you racing through the pages.
— Los Angeles Times
Mr. Perry’s characters come to life with a single sentence.… He’s one of the greatest living writers of suspense fiction.
— New York Sun
The pages melt away as the story maintains a breathless pace throughout. This is further proof that Perry is a dominating force in the world of contemporary suspense thrillers.
— Publishers Weekly
Top-drawer thrills from an author whose hard-nosed hero is as professional as he is.
— Kirkus
Harry is a thinking person's action hero, and Perry is the ultimate thinking person's thriller writer.
— Booklist STARRED REVIEW
A thrilling and suspenseful tour of crime-addled midwestern towns, Murder Book is signature Thomas Perry police procedural suspense thriller of a read with memorable characters, crisply-described action sequences, and breathlessly tense plotting.
— Midwest Book Review