Murder Book

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.

"A master of nail-biting suspense."

― 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