Truth is deadlier than fiction in this โsleek, sophisticated, over-the-top story thatโs filled with red herrings, laugh-aloud humor, and plenty of suspenseโ (Booklist).
ย The author calls himself the Answer Man. He introduces himself to Stewart Hoagโonetime literary darling of the New York sceneโwith a letter begging for help with his first novel. Hoagy usually ignores such requests, but the Answer Manโs 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 morningโs paper, Hoagy realizes he was reading nonfiction.ย A young pet shop employee has been bludgeoned to death, and the crimeโs details match those in the manuscript. As the Answer Man keeps killing, he continues writing letters asking Hoagy to collaborate with him. If Hoagy canโt stop him soon, he may find himself starring in the bookโs next chapter.