In the Shadow of Gotham

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In 1905, Detective Simon Ziele grapples with the aftermath of losing his fiancée in the General Slocum ferry disaster. Seeking solace, he transfers to a police department in a quiet town north of New York. However, his peace is shattered when young Sarah Wingate is found brutally murdered in her bedroom on a calm winter afternoon. After just one day of investigation, Ziele is contacted by Alistair Sinclair, a criminologist from Columbia University. Sinclair reveals that one of his patients, Michael Fromley, has made disturbing remarks that closely resemble the circumstances of Sarah's murder. Given Fromley's history of violent behavior, questions arise: Why would he target Sarah, a respectable mathematics student, when his previous victims were so different? Is Fromley the murderer, or is someone else mimicking him? As Simon delves deeper into the case, he must navigate the complexities of the investigation with Sinclair's help, all while confronting his own haunting memories. This gripping tale of a man haunted by his past and racing against time to catch a killer showcases a remarkable debut talent, earning accolades including the 2010 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.