Over Tumbled Graves

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A riverbank littered with bodies and a city besieged by crime-solving "experts" set the stage for a young detective's struggle to uncover the truth while maintaining her sanity. In Spokane, Washington, Detective Caroline Mabry finds herself confronting a brutal murderer, Lenny Ryan, during a routine drug bust on a narrow bridge over the falls. Shortly after, the body of a young prostitute is discovered nearby, followed by more victims. Caroline and her cynical mentor, Alan Dupree, are thrust into the hunt for a serial killer dubbed the Southbank Strangler. As Caroline pursues the madman, he may be stalking her in return. This narrative subverts typical serial killer tropes, addressing America’s growing obsession with psychopathology and murder. Throughout a harrowing summer, Caroline and Dupree remain one step behind a killer who communicates through his victims, growing bolder with each murder. The arrival of FBI profilers, statisticians, and TV producers complicates their investigation, forcing the detectives to confront the insatiable serial murder industry. Ultimately, they uncover harsh truths about their city, their profession, and each other, leading Caroline back to the river, where she faces a far more alarming evil than she anticipated. Rich in the muted colors of the Pacific Northwest and filled with deeply developed characters, this debut novel offers profound insights into the human psyche.