Stunning new psychological thriller from the bestselling author of The Straw Men.

Stunning new psychological thriller from the bestselling author of The Straw Men. Jack Whalen was an LAPD patrol cop for twelve years. He left in difficult circumstances and now he's not really sure what he is. He's not too sure about his wife, either -- when she goes missing on a routine business trip to Seattle, Jack heads up there to find her: only to discover she's not really missing after all. Over the coming days it becomes increasingly clear that something has changed, however -- and is still changing. Jack is meanwhile contacted by a childhood acquaintance, Gary Fisher. Fisher's a lawyer now, and wants help in solving an odd little mystery concerning a businessman's will. The further Jack digs, the bigger the mystery seems to be -- and the stranger Fisher becomes. And in Oregon, a ten-year-old girl goes missing. It gradually becomes clear that she's at least partly in control of the situation, however -- and also that she's very far from defenceless. One man ties these three stories together. We're all haunted by the shadows of our pasts -- Jack Whalen more than most -- but as he is eventually to discover, the truth may go back a lot further than he ever realised.

Praise for Michael Marshall: 'A definite page-turner -- and a terrifying discourse on the nature of human evil and the darkness among us!this is as fierce as crime writing can get.' Guardian 'The taut pace, crisp style and ever-present sense of menace are those of a top-drawer thriller.' Telegraph 'Marshall is a cracker at writing tense, rich scenes.' Observer 'Just when you think there's nothing new under the sun in the world of the suspense novel, along comes one hell of a nasty spider called The Straw Men. It's brilliantly written and scary as hell. Be the first on your block to stay up all night with this one; it's a masterpiece, reminding us that even paranoids really do have enemies.' Stephen King 'A staggering, suspenseful journey through the darkness of American crime ! succeeds in revitalising the serial killer novel with assured gusto! A new beginning for a major British writer, whose crime debut instantly moves him into the Thomas Harris division' Guardian 'Brilliantly plotted, stunningly written!I read this in one go!if this isn't a hit, I am a monkey's uncle. And I don't think I am'. Independent on Sunday