A desperate mother. A disturbed son. A deadly secret.

When Hollywood socialite Tarian Griffiths hires ex-military operative Ryan Lock to protect her son Marcus, she claims it's just precautionary. But Lock soon discovers there's much more to the story - including a restraining order, stalking accusations, and Marcus's growing obsession with a female classmate.

As Lock digs deeper, he finds himself caught in a twisted psychological thriller where nothing is as it seems. With the body count rising and time running out, can Lock unravel the truth before Marcus strikes again?

This white-knuckle page-turner will keep you guessing until the explosive final twist.

Read what others are saying about Sean Black:

"This series is ace. There are deservedly strong Lee Child comparisons as the author is also a Brit, his novels US-based, his character appealing, and his publisher the same." - Sarah Broadhurst, The Bookseller

"This is a writer, and a hero, to watch." - Geoffrey Wansell, The Daily Mail

"Black's style is supremely slick." - Jeremy Jehu, The Daily Telegraph

"The pace of Lee Child, and the heart of Harlan Coben." - Joseph Finder, New York Times Bestseller (Paranoia, Buried Secrets)

"The heir apparent to Lee Child" - Ken Bruen, Internationally Bestselling Author of The Guards

'Ryan Lock (is) a protagonist tough enough to take on the Jacks of this world (that's Bauer and Reacher)' - Russel McLean

'Black's star just keeps on rising.' - Evening Telegraph

Read what others are saying about award-winning author, Sean Black:

"Readers, meet Ryan Lock - a tough-guy hero for a new age" - Gregg Hurwitz, New York Times bestselling author of Orphan X"

Sean Black writes with the pace of Lee Child and the heart of Harlan Coben" - Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author of Paranoia

"Leaner and meaner with every book" - Meg Gardiner, New York Times bestselling author of The Nightmare Thief

Other readers of Sean Black's books enjoyed books by: Marc Cameron, Jack Mars, Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, James Patterson, Mark Dawson, Lee Child, Nelson DeMille, Meg Gardiner, David Baldacci, John Sandford, Harlan Coben, Robert Crais, Mark Greaney, Gregg Hurwitz, Simon Kernick, Joseph Finder, David Antoci, Robert Swartwood, Bob Mayer, John Gilstrap, Tom Clancy, Leo J. Maloney, Wilbur Smith, Will Jordan, Stephen Leather, Chris Ryan, Ben Coes, Andrew Gross, Maxine Paetro, Chris Carter and anyone who enjoys an action-packed crime thriller.