Synopsis
When Lacey Sherlock's older sister falls victim to a serial killer, Lacey is devastated. Seven years later, as an FBI agent, Lacey investigates the murder with the help of advanced computer technology and its architect, Dillon Savich.
| Details | | Publication Date: | 1998-04-01 | | Edition Description: | Reissue |
| Size | | Height: | 6.8 in | | Width: | 4.3 in | | Thickness: | 1.0 in | | Weight: | 6.4 oz |
Publisher's Note
Catherine Coulter invites readers to lose themselves in "The Maze", her triumphant return to contemporary romantic suspense! Remember Dillon Savage from "The Cove"? He's now the head of the FBI's Criminal Apprehension Unit. To solve this case, he's teamed with beautiful and smart, agent Lacey Sherlock, who has a secret agenda of her own. As Lacey prepares to "walk the walk", readers prepare to see who's waiting at the center of the maze. There are mysteries to solve and puzzles to sort through before they get to the ending that will have them bolting their doors--fast.
Obsessed by her sister's death at the hands of an apparent serial killer, a brilliant young pianist dedicates her life to tracking down the murderer only to become a target herself, in this contemporary novel of suspense now out in paperback. Catherine Coulter's "contemporary suspense novels are, unfortunately, few and far between" wrote Publishers Weekly in its rave review of her "fast-paced, solidly structured" novel The Cove. Now Coulter dazzles suspense fans with more "action-packed, spine-tingling romantic suspense." Lacey Sherlock's life is forever changed when her beloved older sister's body is discovered in an abandoned warehouse, with multiple stab wounds. She is the fourth victim of the String Killer, the handle the media have given the murderer who leads his victims into a maze with a ball of twine. Seven years after Belinda's death, Lacey, now an FBI special agent, is paired up with computer whiz Dillon Savich in the Bureau's Criminal Apprehension Unit (CAU), where Dillon has developed a predictive analogue program to aid in the apprehension of serial killers. When the String Killer strikes again (this time in Boston), Lacey immediately spots his handiwork, resulting in his capture. The suspect confesses, but maintains that he did not kill Belinda. Thanks to Dillon's expertise and her own detective work, Lacey confirms the killer's innocence in her sister's case. No sooner does she clear him than an attempt is made on her life, and Lacey suspects it is the same person who murdered Belinda years ago. Together, she and Dillon must discover who killed her sister - before they both become the next victims. The Maze is rich in tension, brimming with twists and surprises, and delivers a love story of two dynamic individuals who together solve a baffling killing.
Industry Reviews
Coulter is best known for her historical romance novels, but her suspense yarns are also big sellers. Here, a young woman pursues the serial killer who murdered her sister.
Ives
The strengths Coulter evidenced in her bestselling paperback, The Cove, are also showcased in this new romantic suspense novel. San Franciscan Lacey Sherlock was just a teenager, dreaming of studying piano at Berkeley, when her older sister's life was brutally ended by the serial murderer that the media dubbed the String Killer. Now, seven years and one brief mental breakdown later, her career plans have changed. Having completed FBI training and learned to be addressed by her surname, she's assigned to agent Dillon Savich's Criminal Apprehension Unit, which, utilizing Dillon's specialized computer program for profiling, is responsible for pursuing serial killers. This places the obsessed Sherlock exactly where she wants to be when the String Killer strikes again, this time in Boston. It also puts her in position to become romantically involved with her attractive superior. Coulter renders computer technology clearly and even interestingly, makes the Quantico training scenes absorbing and keeps the action moving fast. When Sherlock and Dillon apprehend the String Killer, they begin to doubt whether he really murdered Sherlock's sister, and though it's pretty easy to guess who the real villain will be, a lot of action occurs while Sherlock figures it out. Given Sherlock's vengeful mindset regarding the death penalty, the quality of mercy is definitely strained here. There are too many jokes concerning her surname; and Coulter's overuse of the adjective "plummy" to describe Dillon's voice can get on one's nerves. Otherwise, however, the book is gripping enough to establish Coulter firmly in this genre, even while she continues to attract a loyal following for her paperback historical romances. Major ad/promo; Doubleday Direct selection; author tour. (July)
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