Mastermind: A Theo Cray & Jessica Blackwood Thriller

Two of Thriller Award–finalist Mayne’s series leads, FBI agent Jessica Blackwood (in Black Fall) and computer expert Theo Cray (in The Naturalist), join forces in this suspenseful series launch. Jessica is called back into field work when her nemesis, Michael Heywood, escapes from a high security prison days before a mysterious black cloud plunges New York City into darkness by short-circuiting all electrical grids. A master hacker and serial killer, Heywood now has his tentacles into several governments, and, with unlimited funds and contacts, he seems unstoppable. Jessica turns to the brilliant Theo for help in figuring out Heywood’s game plan, but first she has to break Theo out of a Myanmar prison and prove he isn’t working with Heywood. Once Jessica is sure she can trust Theo, the pair pursue clues to Heywood’s schemes while ferreting out government moles. A passionate and thorough storyteller, Mayne takes the time to explain technical information in layman’s terms so the reader can stay fully engrossed in the story. Thriller fans will be well rewarded. Agent: Erica Silverman, Trident Media. (Sept.)