Inherit the Dead by Twenty Thrilling Writers

Inherit the Dead was written by twenty thrilling writers including: Mark Billingham, Lawrence Block, C.J. Box, Ken Bruen, Alafair Burke, Stephen L. Carter, Marcia Clark, Mary Higgins Clark, Max Allen Collins, John Connolly, James Grady, Heather Graham, Bryan Gruley, Charlaine Harris, Val McDermid, S.J. Rozan, Jonathan Santlofer, Dana Stabenow, Lisa Unger, and Sarah Weinman.

Book Description

“More than twenty New York Times bestselling authors team up to create a first-rate serial novel—a collaboration among some of the most popular mystery and thriller writers in the English-speaking world today, producing a “well-told mystery that stands on its own two (or 40) feet” (Booklist).

Readers will enjoy an introduction by Lee Child, an afterword by Linda Fairstein, and chapters by bestselling authors Mary Higgins Clark, John Connolly, Charlaine Harris, CJ Box, Mark Billingham, Lawrence Block, Ken Bruen, Alafair Burke, Stephen L. Carter, Marcia Clark, Max Allan Collins, James Grady, Heather Graham, Bryan Gruley, Val McDermid, SJ Rozan, Jonathan Santlofer, Dana Stabenow, Lisa Unger, and Sarah Weinman. What’s more, the editor, Jonathan Santlofer, has arranged to donate any royalties in excess of editor and contributor compensation to Safe Horizon, the leading victim assistance agency in the country—making it a worthy and winning triumph.

Pericles “Perry” Christo is a PI with a past—a former cop, who lost his badge and his family when a corruption scandal left him broke and disgraced. When wealthy Upper East Side matron Julia Drusilla summons him one cold February night, he grabs what seems to be a straightforward (and lucrative) case.

The socialite is looking for her beautiful, aimless daughter, Angelina, who is about to become a very wealthy young woman. But as Christo digs deeper, he discovers there’s much more to the lovely “Angel” than meets the eye. Her father, her best friend, her boy­friends all have agendas of their own. Angel, he soon realizes, may be in grave danger…and if Christo gets too close, he just might get caught in the crossfire.

This classic noir tale twists and turns down New York’s mean streets and along Hamptons’ beaches and back roads during a bitterly cold and gray winter where nothing is as it seems and everyone has something to hide.” – Inherit the Dead

My Thoughts

Inherit the Dead is a dark novel that was written cohesively with twenty authors. Not an easy feat! It is the type of book that would be fun to read on a dark and rainy night, or on a cold winter day next to a fire.

This is the first book I have ever read that used so many different authors to create one compelling story. I imagine it could have turned out as a complete mess, but this one was written by some of the best authors in the genre, and they followed a plan that was able to both tell the story and also add their personal touches to it.

I won’t go into details on the plot’s twists and turns because it should be read to find that out, and I don’t usually like to give spoilers. I did however, enjoy this book and think that fans of these authors and the genre will definitely enjoy reading it, too.

One of the best things about this book is that the royalties that are in excess of the editor and contributor compensations will be donated to Safe Horizon. This charity provides aid to the victims of domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking, rape, sexual assault, homeless youth, and families of homicide victims.

Overall, this is a great book that helps a greater need with your purchase of it. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Inherit the Dead, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.