Short Synopsis
John Walker, an employee of McClaren Life and Casualty, gets more than he bargained for when he is asked to investigate a large death benefit paid out to the wrong person and the suspicious disappearance of one of his colleagues in this compelling, fast-paced novel from the Edgar Award-winning Thomas Perry.

Full Synopsis
A careful, methodical young data analyst for a California insurance company, John Walker knows when people will marry, at what age they will most likely have children, and when they will die. All signs point to a long successful career—until Max Stillman, a gruff security consultant, appears without warning at the office. It seems a colleague with whom Walker once had an affair has disappeared after paying a very large death benefit to an impostor. Stillman wants to find and convict her; Walker is convinced the woman is innocent. Now Walker teams up with Stillman on an urgent north-by-northeast race—relentlessly leading to a pay-off that just might shock the life out of him.

"There are probably only half a dozen suspense writers alive who can be depended upon to deliver high-voltage shocks; vivid, sympathetic characters; and compelling narratives each time they publish. Thomas Perry is one of them." ---Stephen King

"Thomas Perry is, quite simply, brilliant. And as each book comes out he becomes more so." ---Robert B. Parker

"Perry never lets up on the suspense. Masterful." ---Booklist Starred Review

"Masterful.... Insurance hasn't been this interesting since James M. Cain wrote Double Indemnity." ---The Baltimore Sun

"A surprising plot and luminous narration make a perfect combination." ---AudioFile

"A surprising plot and luminous narration make a perfect combination." ---AudioFile

Booklist Review