Mark Laufer

A Monster's Heart Mark Laufer

Dr. Christine Jacobs, a small-town coroner fresh out of medical school, becomes the nexus for a brutal murderer and the world's most notorious serial killer when she takes on her first big case. The discovery of a highly stylized body-drop appears staged to offer a clue to the motive for the murder. No place colder or more desolate in the depths of winter to solve a murder than Western New York. The investigation eventually points her to a murder perpetrated on a pregnant woman, years earlier, leading to a positive identification of the body. Clues lead her to believe the murder was committed by a notorious serial killer. The plot begins its twists and turns when the serial killer, Damon Christian, who is already incarcerated for multiple murders pleads guilty. His credibility comes into question when he is unable to provide details about how or where the murder was committed. Damon is known for his artistic approach to taking down the ultra-wealthy. He has a preference for the one percenters whose climb to power and wealth ends up trampling on society. His profile suggests he would not pursue the murder of an average citizen which further convolutes an already complex case. A Monster's Heart is grounded solidly in the psychological thriller genre but takes the reader on a journey where criminals become celebrities as the media pushes the envelope between news and entertainment. The book is a fast-paced thriller where sexual chemistry between killers and the women who support them creates an additional level of intrigue.