Original, suspenseful, and deeply twisty.

A struggling private detective races against the clock to stop a lethal virus outbreak in Lipkin’s latest SF mystery. Just six months ago, Sean’s life was a picture of perfection. But now, it’s all gone, replaced by the daily grind of her job as a private detective and one desperate client seeking answers to her husband’s disappearance. As Sean investigates, a pattern emerges: all the victims lived in the same building as the missing husband and had ties to a powerful corporation that controls every computer on Earth. Things only get stranger when Sean’s ex, also the medical examiner, discovers unusual anomalies in the autopsies. Is there an illness affecting individuals, or are there darker motives at play? Set in a futuristic setting that feels thoroughly authentic, the story unfolds leisurely as it introduces various characters and their interpersonal dynamic. Lipkin’s characters are complex and captivating, revealing hidden layers as the story progresses. Each character is carefully crafted; even seemingly one-dimensional ones hold surprising depths that will shock and captivate readers. The novel is a whirlwind of scandal, deceit, and rampant selfishness. Yet, amidst the chaos there are also genuine bonds of friendship, unwavering loyalty, and a fierce dedication to uncovering the truth. Carefully unpacking the intricacies of the human mind, Lipkin untangles the many mysteries of the Normandie, revealing how the all-consuming desires for wealth and control drive individuals to desperate measures in pursuit of their hidden agendas. Exploring themes of love, power, and the blurred lines between medicine and technology, this gripping novel will hold readers captive until the very last page.