The Hangman
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Publishers Weekly
“Will have readers enthralled . . . strong, credible and vulnerable characters . . . Burton’s expertise at crafting suspense shines bright in this novel.”
RT Book Reviews
“Romantic suspense lovers are going to be thrilled with Mary Burton’s new series, The Forgotten Files.”
Suspense Magazine
Julia Vargas is a cop on a mission. She dedicates her spare time to hunting the Hangman, a twisted serial killer who created ghoulish exhibitions of his victims and who supposedly drove her father, Detective Jim Vargas, to suicide twenty-five years ago.
The unsolved case, always stalking her, hits dangerously close when a woman’s bones, hidden for decades, are found in a historic Richmond home along with a picture of Julia and her father. It’s the first new lead since Jim died, the sort of break Julia’s needed.
Suddenly, the long dormant Hangman is back and killing again. Now, working with homicide detective and sometimes lover Tobias Novak, Julia is forced to confront her past as they work feverishly to stop him. The clock is ticking as the Hangman fashions the noose for his next victim. And both Julia and Nick believe it’s meant for her.
The Hangman Excerpt
“Will do.”
He followed the pair to the stairs, and when Dr. McGowan moved to heft her end of the stretcher, he nudged her aside and took the weight. It was unwieldy more than heavy and slow going up the stairs. It took maneuvering to get the stretcher around the tight kitchen door corner. When they cleared it, he and the assistant carried the gurney out to the sidewalk.
“Thanks,” Dr. McGowan said. “I’ll never say no to a bit of brawn.”
“How well do you know Agent Vargas?”
Since Novak and Julia had started sleeping together, he had resisted the idea of learning more about Julia Vargas. He respected her privacy and halfheartedly believed she would eventually open up to him about herself. Now, asking about her didn’t feel as intrusive. She was part of his case, so it was business. And when it came to a case, all bets were off.
“She’s worked with my husband, Agent Sharp, on a couple of cases. She’s new to the criminal investigations unit. She’s dedicated. Did a couple of years’ worth of undercover work near Virginia Beach. We’ve been out for drinks once, so I can’t say I know her well.”
“Does she ever say much about herself?”
Dr. McGowan cocked her head. “If you want to ask her out, then do it.”
“It’s not like that. We found evidence connecting her to this body.”
“This body? She would have been a kid when the woman died.”
“I know.”
“What did you find?”
“A picture of her with her father in the victim’s wallet.”
Dr. McGowan brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. “Did you ask her?”
“I did. She didn’t recognize the woman’s name or face.” And if she had, he wasn’t sure she’d have told him. She guarded her thoughts closely. “I thought you might know about her family.”
“Like I said, we went out the one time, but she never mentioned her family.”
“What’s she like in general?”
“When it comes to a case, Julia’s a straight shooter. She’ll tell you what she thinks. If she says she didn’t know the victim’s name, she didn’t know.”
“I’m not questioning her integrity. Have you heard about her father?”
“She doesn’t talk about family, but I know he was a cop. I was at the awards dinner when she went to pick up his award.”
“I was there as well. She didn’t stay long.”
“Can’t be easy. Not everyone was happy that Jim Vargas received recognition.”
The Hangman Reviews
Publishers Weekly
“Burton’s latest will have readers enthralled from the start . . . strong, credible and vulnerable characters . . . with a solid plot, heightened tension, steady pacing and a cleverly written villain, Burton’s expertise at crafting suspense shines bright in this novel.”
RT Book Reviews