This is Val's fourth psychological thriller. A killer is on the loose, blurring the line between fact and fiction. His prey - the writers of crime novels who have turned psychological profilers into the heroes of the nineties. But this killer is like no other.  ...

This is Val's fourth psychological thriller.

A killer is on the loose, blurring the line between fact and fiction. His prey - the writers of crime novels who have turned psychological profilers into the heroes of the nineties. But this killer is like no other. His bloodlust shatters all the conventional wisdom surrounding the motives and mechanics of how serial killers operate. And for one woman, the desperatehunt to uncover his identity becomes a matter of life and death.

Professor Fiona Campbell is an academic psychologist who uses computer technology to help police forces track serial offenders. She used to help the Met, but vowed never to work for them again when, going against her advice, they badly screwed up an investigation. Still smarting from the experience, she's working a case in Toledo, when her lover, thriller writer Kit Martin (sorry, it's a man) tells her a fellow crime novelist has been murdered. She can't help but take an interest and, before too long, the killer strikes again. And again. And Fiona is caught in a race against time, not only to save a life, but to bring herself redemption, both personal and professional.

This is not a lesbian-themed novel but Val McDermid is a very popular lesbian author.

VMcD