Double Threat

Con artist Stanka Daley, the heroine of this whimsical supernatural thriller from bestseller Wilson (the Repairman Jack series), takes refuge from the victims of her latest scam in a California desert cave, where she loses consciousness upon encountering a slug-like creature that soon melds its mind with her own. Back home in L.A., Daley begins to hear the creature in her head and orders it to leave, but it tells her it can’t and to call him Pard. After Pard displays healing powers by repairing her arm that was mangled in an accident, Daley decides they should go into the healing business. Meanwhile, people are going hysterical and catatonic for no reason, bizarre earthquakes are occurring, and in the desert town of Nespodee Springs the wealthy Pendry clan is waiting for the stars to align in order to open a portal that will allow ancient alien visitors to once again return to Earth. When Daley and Pard coincidentally arrive in Nespodee Springs to set up shop, events begin to converge. With Daley and Pard, Wilson has created two of his most memorable and delightful characters. Readers will eagerly await the promised sequel. (June)