False Friend

The second installment in the extraordinary Cooper Devereaux mystery thriller series, which combines the atmosphere of James Lee Burke and Craig Johnson with the noir brilliance of Robert Crais. An arsonist is targeting schools in Birmingham, Alabama—with devastating effect. Detective Devereaux—a man you can’t quite trust and should never ignore—must put a stop to the elusive pyromaniac’s reign of terror before more damage is done. Or worse, before students’ lives are lost. But as Devereaux sifts through the ashes of the case, a grisly discovery at a burned-out school sends the investigation spiraling in a new, terrifying direction. The detective and his partner are dragged into a nightmare world by revelations of gruesome rituals, the disappearance of local citizens, and allegations against city officials of shocking crimes that stretch back decades. With innocent lives on the line, progress is hampered by friction between the police department and the FBI, and interference from factions of the local underworld complicate matters further. Devereaux doesn’t make excuses for his willingness to work outside the lines, but just as he needs to be at the top of his game, he’s rocked by echoes from his troubled past that threaten to engulf his daughter and girlfriend—and fracture the life he’s only recently begun to rebuild. Praise for False Friend. “The second installment starring [Detective Cooper] Devereaux is a suspenseful action-packed drama that is sure to please fans of the series and mystery/thriller lovers alike. As a stand-alone, it will inspire newcomers to seek out the first book. ”—Library Journal. “An incendiary thriller. Cooper is solid—decent, flawed, and entertaining. ”—Kirkus Reviews. Praise for Andrew Grant’s RUN. “An adrenaline-fueled thrill ride that will have your head spinning and your heart pounding. ”—Joseph Finder. “High stakes, high tension, and nonstop action. Hang on and enjoy this smart, original, and fast-paced adventure. ”—Hank Phillippi Ryan. “Relentless, twisty, and blistering fast, it’s a book you don’t dare start at bedtime. ”—Sean Chercover. “A whizbang of a novel with just the right dose of smart-ass. ”—Chelsea Cain. “Breathtakingly fast-paced. ”—Harlan Coben. “A perfect thriller—smart, fast, and blazing with nonstop surprises. ”—Robert Crais.