Malicious Intent - Softcover

Fox, Kathryn

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060857951 ISBN 13: 9780060857950

Publisher: William Morrow & Company, 2006

Synopsis

A gripping and powerful new thriller -- the debut of a stunning new voice in suspense fiction -- and the first appearance of a tough and remarkable investigator, pathologist, and forensic physician, Dr. Anya Crichton.

The only female freelancer in the male-dominated field, pathologist Dr. Anya Crichton will take any work she can find to pay child support and her mortgage, get her new business off the ground, and battle her ex-husband for custody of their three-year-old son. Things turn around rapidly, however, when her expert forensic evidence is instrumental in winning a high-profile case -- and new work offers start pouring in.

But Anya's investigation into the drug overdose of a young Lebanese girl is raising troubling questions. Startling coincidences between this sad and tragic death and a series of seemingly unrelated suicides that Anya is also examining at the urging of her friend and colleague, detective sergeant Kate Farrer, suggest that there's a monumental evil at work in the shadows. With each scalpel cut, Anya Crichton's forensic prowess and deductive brilliance are pulling her relentlessly toward a sinister plot and a devastating truth -- and once she enters the lethal darkness, she may never again see the light of day.

About this title

Review:

Kathryn Fox has created a forensic physician who readers of Patricia Cornwell will adore (James Patterson)

Much better than anything Cornwell has written lately, and much superior to anything Reichs has ever written . . . deeply satisfying. A new talent to watch (Australian Book Review)

Will keep you gripped from start to finish...break-neck plots...fascinating medical and police procedural details . . . What a compelling new talent! (Jeffery Deaver)

It's a wonderful moment when you track down something that's really worth reading... Gripping from its very first page, it carries you breathlessly through its deftly plotted twists and turns (Australian Vogue)

MALICIOUS INTENT is top-notch in its genre (Sunday Telegraph (Australia))

Fox is stomach-churningly good... (Mail on Sunday)

From the Author:

I ve always had a passion for reading, writing and science. From high school, I had ideas for a novel, but lacked the confidence and time to write it. Although medicine took me away from writing, it gave me a wealth of exposure to stories that would have been unbelievable if I hadn t been there, seen them or lived them. Medicine shows you the best and seediest sides of human nature, and vulnerability at its greatest.
It didn t take long to discover that every victim sees a doctor at some stage. So does every criminal. Over time I saw both the short and long-term effects of criminal acts - not just on individuals, but on the whole community. That was how I became involved with the study of forensic medicine.
About the same time, I rekindled a love of writing and the ideas behind the plot and characters for MALICIOUS INTENT were born.
Not surprisingly, vulnerability is a theme I like to explore. Not just of the victims, but of the investigators as well.
When I read a novel, I like three dimensional characters and clever plots full of twists and turns. I also love to learn about forensic science and techniques. And that s exactly how I wanted MALICIOUS INTENT to be.
Although the story is complete fiction, there is a reality to it, in the way crimes are investigated, victims are dealt with and especially in the forensic medicine. The lead character, Dr Anya Crichton, is a pathologist and forensic physician. She reviews post-mortem results but also is involved in the initial treatment of sexual assault victims. As a result, she is often caught between the needs of the victim, police and prosecuting lawyers and faces significant ethical and moral dilemmas in the process. Conflict is never far away, and that s just when Anya deals with the good guys!
I sincerely hope that readers will enjoy MALICIOUS INTENT for its intricate plot, mix of varied characters and forensic detail. It also sets the scene for WITHOUT CONSENT, Anya s second adventure.

About this edition

• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0060857951
• ISBN 13: 9780060857950
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352