Murder Artist

(Paperback)

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Magic, voodoo and death - the disturbing new thriller from the author of THE GENESIS CODE There's nothing in the glorious summer's day to suggest anything even remotely sinister. In fact, Alex Callahan, a news correspondent, surprises himself by enjoying the Renaissance Faire that his six-year-old twins, Kevin and Sean, have dragged him to. The boys are delighted by the jugglers and magicians, jesters and food mongers dressed in full Elizabethan costume. But it's the joust that the boys have really been waiting to see. Alex takes a break and watches the joust while keeping half an eye on the twins, who have clamoured to join the children cheering on the Green Knight. After watching the Green Knight despatch the Black Knight, he turns to see how the boys have enjoyed the joust, but he can't see them at first. And then: he really can't see them at all. The perfect day has turned into a nightmare. There's no sign of Sean and Kevin, and eventually the police arrive. They're initially suspicious of Alex but no one can explain the small origami figure he finds after he returns to his empty house. Or the bowl of water that has been left on the top shelf of the wardrobe. Or, more sinisterly, the t-shirt soaked in blood. Alex's investigations uncover a sinister, underground world that he never dreamed existed. A world where reality is portrayed as illusion, and where the reason behind the twins' disappearance is more terrifying than anything Alex can imagine.

Reviews

John Case's sure hand and deep understanding of the visceral terrors of the situation . . . a convincing thriller which grips the heart and gut with equal force * The Guardian *
Deep in Harlen Coben territory... Scary, compulsive stuff. * Independent on Sunday *
Jaded readers will snap to attention . . . Literally breath-taking . . . The [final] scene delivers the reward and excitement that the steady, fascinating build-up has promised. It's all in the telling, and Case does it just right: no clue, moment, or character unturned * Kirkus Reviews *

Author Bio

John Case is the pseudonym for the husband and wife writing team of Jim and Carolyn Hougan, both published authors in their own right. After Carolyn died in 2007, Jim left Washington and now lives in Aston, Virginia. For many years Jim Hougan has been a journalist specialising in intelligence issues. He has published widely in the field and has made several accalimed documentaries for US programmes including 60 Minutes. John Case is the author of six thriller novels including the New York Times bestseller, The Genesis Code.