Truth is deadlier than fiction in this âsleek, sophisticated, over-the-top story thatâs filled with red herrings, laugh-aloud humor, and plenty of suspenseâ (Booklist).
 The author calls himself the Answer Man. He introduces himself to Stewart Hoagâonetime literary darling of the New York sceneâwith a letter begging for help with his first novel. Hoagy usually ignores such requests, but the Answer Manâs sample chapter grabs his attention. It is a chilling, first-person story about a man who picks up a girl in a pet shop, takes her home, and savagely murders her. The imagery is clear, the prose strong, and the storytelling as truthful as though the author had actually lived it. When he opens the next morningâs paper, Hoagy realizes he was reading nonfiction. A young pet shop employee has been bludgeoned to death, and the crimeâs details match those in the manuscript. As the Answer Man keeps killing, he continues writing letters asking Hoagy to collaborate with him. If Hoagy canât stop him soon, he may find himself starring in the bookâs next chapter.