U.S. Marshal Tim Rackley, nicknamed "Troubleshooter" because he's usually in trouble and he shoots a lot of people, is back on the job after breaking up a mind-control cult in his second Hurwitz outing, The Program. Biker gang the Laughing Sinners kills a couple of Rackley's friends while busting them out of U.S. marshall custody, then go on a rampage and massacre 37 of their rivals in preparation for a drug deal involving a powerful new form of liquid heroin called "Allah's Tears." Readers will feel a lurch of unease early on when informed that Rackley's deputy sheriff wife, Dray, is eight month's pregnant. Rackley is still suffering from the loss (in The Kill Clause) of his daughter, Ginny, so when Dray tangles with the gang he comes close to losing it and screwing up the case. Hurwitz is a rock-solid writer, researcher and plotter, and readers will find him in top form putting Rackley through his procedural paces as he slowly closes in on and shuts down the spectacularly evil Laughing Sinners.
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“Engaging...Spier is an appealing character...Gregg Andrew Hurwitz can write. He has a bright future ahead of him.” (Cozies, Capers & Crimes )
“Compelling...Gregg Hurwitz is the heir apparent to Robin Cook.” (Book Browser )
“Hurwitz is a brilliant storyteller...He has written a fast–paced plot with nicely defined characters.” (Library Journal )
“Enticing...a smoothly written, gripping fabric of believable incidents, ethical questions and changing relationships.” (Booklist )
“Grounded in character and believable detail, Hurwitz’s thriller engages on every level.” (Publishers Weekly )
“THE KILL CLAUSE is a white knuckle thriller of the first order. Smart, with a little twist of the wicked.” (Joe R. Lansdale, author of The Bottoms and A Fine Dark Line )
“THE KILL CLAUSE is like a literary Law & Order, without the commercials. Bottom Line: Killer read.” (People )
“...the perfect blend of suspense, pacing, strong storyline, compelling characters, and a villain who will knock your socks off.” (Sue Grafton )
“...a terrifying and savage descent into the darkest corners of evil and madness.” (Jonathan Kellerman )
“In this adeptly researched, well–constructed tale about science gone awry...The action comes fast and steady.” (Publishers Weekly )
“...a spooky, surprising and unsettling thriller. Good character, a suspenseful plot and a shock of an ending.” (T. Jefferson Parker )
“...a gripping page–turner...that sticks in mind long after the last page is turned.” (Michael Connelly )
“A white–knuckle journey...A compelling, riveting, dead–smart thriller...If you haven’t discovered Gregg Hurwitz yet, get to a bookstore!” (Janet Evanovich )
“A rip–roaring thrill ride... A stick to your fingers read by a novelist at the top of his game.” (Stephen J. Cannell )
“Likable and sympathetic...Hurwitz’ hero is fully realized...A shadowy operative named Ed Pinkerton is the most intriguing character in the book.” (Washington Post )
“Hurwitz again shows that he is a remarkable crime fiction writer, a solid member of the genre’s top echelon” (Mystery News )
“Hurwitz has been tapped as a younger, hipper Grisham...he certainly delivers in terms of pure, propulsive readability.” (Washington Post )
“Fascinating...intriguing...Filled with well-drawn characters, meticulous research and pulse-pounding action...easily one of the best thrillers of the year.” (Chicago Sun-Times )
“A cut above the usual thriller, with a cast of intriguing and complex characters who never fall into stereotype.” (Capital Times )
“Tough, true, well–written, and memorable as Hell. Dray and Tim Rackley are uniquely believable and sympathetic heroes.” (James Patterson )
“Extraordinarily satisfying...A gripping read from start to finish.” (Booklist )
“Gregg Hurwitz handcuffs you to his story and holds your emotions hostage. Once you enter THE PROGRAM, there’s no leaving.” (Ridley Pearson )