Two women's husbands are murdered on the same night in the same way—and their investigation uncovers a terrifying connection.
Two men from vastly different backgrounds are murdered one after another on the same night, in the same fashion with two bullet wounds: one in the head, another in the heart. The two slayings sends their wives on a desperate search for answers—and a desperate attempt to save their families' lives.
Grief takes a heavy toll on northern Virginia freelance editor Deb Linh Thomas when she learns of her husband's murder. And utter dismay sets in when, just a week after the funeral, she discovers that he had been the subject of an FBI investigation after withdrawing a large sum of money from their shared accounts.
Elsewhere, Baltimore bartender Cessy Castillo is less bereft when her abusive husband, ex-cop Hector Ramirez, is killed. But it turns out that he was deep in hock—and now Cessy's expected to pay up.
Deb and the FBI agent assigned to her case start digging into her husband's murder and learn that he had been the target of criminals. As Deb and Cessy join forces to learn the truth, their investigation reveals an ever-darker web of clues, but if they're not careful, they may just end up like their husbands.
About the Author
E.A. Barres' most recent thriller, The Unrepentant, was published in 2019 by Down and Out Books (written under E. A. Aymar). His other thrillers include the anthologies The Swamp Killers (March 2020) and The Night of the Flood (March 2018); in both anthologies, he served as co-editor and contributor. His column, "Decisions and Revisions," appears monthly in the Washington Independent Review of Books, and he is also the Managing Editor of The Thrill Begins, ITW's online resource for aspiring and debut thriller writers; he also serves on the Board of ITW as the Vice President of Author Programs. In addition to ITW, he is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Crime Writers of Color, and SinC.
Barres also runs the Noir at the Bar series for Washington, D.C. He was born in Panama and now lives and writes in the D.C./MD/VA triangle.
Industry Reviews
"[Barres] has written a hard-boiled crime thriller in which the women fight back. It's expertly plotted and action-packed, but it also features a diverse cast of characters—including two strong women of color as protagonists—and offers biting social commentary."
Buzzfeed
"Smartly plotted, violent, and utterly absorbing."
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"This women-fight-back thriller will please those looking to vicariously smack down a few hulking villains."
Publishers Weekly
"The plot moves with urgency...This is a must-read book for fans of suspense and thriller books."
Portland Book Review
