The Abduction of Patient Zero

Description

In the mesmerizing sixth installment of the labyrinthine Mancuso/O'Brian mystery series, New York City private investigator Joey Mancuso finds himself entangled in a treacherous web of murder and mystery—one that delves into military secrets and international espionage—all while the woman he loves stands at the heart of it. Despite a recent decline in New York City's crime rate, the astute detective skills of Joey Mancuso and his crime-solving partner, Father Dominic O'Brian, continue to be in high demand. Thus, it comes as no surprise when Mancuso is summoned to a chilling crime scene in Lower Manhattan, where he confronts a gruesome and baffling murder. The victim, Oscar Stanton, met his demise in broad daylight at Washington Square Park, shortly after lunch. A hasty investigation reveals that the real Oscar Stanton was involved in cybersecurities for the Department of Defense (DOD)—and, not surprisingly, lost his life in Afghanistan. True to Mancuso's knack for weaving intricate tales as intricately connected as those of Sherlock Holmes, it is discovered that the imposter Stanton's lunch companion had recently been under surveillance by FBI agent Marcy Martinez—the very woman Mancuso is married to. When crucial evidence from the crime scene is discovered in Marcy's car, and her hands test positive for gunshot residue, Mancuso realizes she has been set up. Suspicion falls on her partner, Thomas Lyons, especially considering her history of partnering with individuals of questionable character. Yet, Lyons mysteriously disappears—until his lifeless body is found concealed in a janitor's closet at a subway station. As a complex white-collar crime case unfolds, entangled with power struggles among the NYPD, CIA, FBI, and military intelligence, it becomes increasingly evident that Mancuso and his associates are Marcy's only hope. They find themselves up against a well-connected killer, bolstered by intelligence agents under his control. Readers who relish the combination of Matt Scudder and Father Brown will be captivated by this offbeat detective duo. Fans of New York PI novels and police procedurals by renowned authors like Raymond Chandler, Joseph Wambaugh, Lawrence Block, and Rex Stout, as well as enthusiasts of clerical mysteries, will be enthralled by this gripping tale. Moreover, devotees of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic detective, Sherlock Holmes, will find themselves thoroughly engrossed. This exceptional novel was awarded the prestigious 2020 Gold Medal for mystery by the Florida Authors and Publishers Association.