Forensic pathologist and physician, Dr. Anya Crichton does not just examine the dead. She also treats survivors of sexual assault, and the women she now sees compel her to follow the trail of a violent serial rapist—who is becoming more brutal with each attack. When two new victims are stabbed to death, suspicion immediately falls on Geoffrey Willard, recently released from twenty years in prison for the vicious rape and murder of a teenage girl.

As the community demands justice, Anya faces the greatest ethical dilemma of her career. If Willard is innocent, her forensic evidence will destroy a respected pathologist's reputation. If Anya is wrong, she has ensured not only that a seasoned killer goes free, but that he remains unstoppable.

Only the killer knows a mistake has been made. One that is about to prove fatal . . .

From Publishers Weekly

In Fox's sophomore thriller, the follow-up to last year's Malicious Intent, Aussie physician and freelance forensic pathologist Anya Crichton returns with a temporary gig as acting director at a center for sexual-assault victims. When a number of victims come to the center bearing signs of similar attacks, Anya begins to suspect a serial rapist—and it isn't long before the rapist's m.o. turns to murder. The lead suspect in the police investigation is Geoffrey Willard, a convicted child rapist just released from 20 years in prison; meanwhile, Anya's own investigation throws doubt on Geoffrey's culpability—and also attracts the murderous attention of the real madman. Fox, a physician with a mind for forensic medicine, provides plenty of authentic, grisly detail and has a real talent for carefully plotted mystery. Though the action can occasionally drag in the name of scientific accuracy, Fox keeps the suspense high, the down-under prose fun and her readers guessing, making this a captivating thrill ride with a great kicker. (July)
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Review

'Kathryn Fox has created a forensic physician who readers of Patricia Cornwell will adore' -- James Patterson 'Will keep you gripped from start to finish...break-neck plots...fascinating medical and police procedural details ... What a compelling new talent!' -- Jeffery Deaver 'Patricia Cornwell's forensic fantasies may have cooled, but Fox's morgue-talk promises to plug the gap with a crime debut that nicely marries the personal life of the sleuth with that of the murder victim' -- Independent 'Malicious Intent is the most exciting crime fiction from Australia for a long time... Crichton investigates with enthusiasm mixed with fear. The climax is shocking and chilling. If Fox can do this on her debut novel, the future looks bright' -- Marcel Berlins, The Times 'Fox is stomach-churningly good' -- Mail on Sunday 'Meticulously researched and seamlessly plotted, MALICIOUS INTENT marks out Kathryn Fox as a name to watch' -- Crime Time

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