Think of a Number
by Verdon, John
Plot/Summary:
Highly-decorated NYPD detective Dave Gurney has
reluctantly retired from the force and moved to upstate
New York with his wife. An old college classmate, Mark
Mellery, tracks Gurney down and presents him with a
complicated puzzle. Mellery has been receiving
intimidating letters and poems which indicate the writer
can somehow read his mind. The first letter asks him to
think of a number between 1 and 1000. The next letter
unbelievably reveals the exact number he imagined. As each
subsequent letter becomes more and more threatening,
Gurney finds himself drawn into a murder investigation
that is both unexplainable and mystifying. Several clues
at the crime scene, such as footprints in the snow that
stop in the middle of nowhere, completely stupefy the
police. As Gurney and the authorities begin to make
headway into the case, the meticulous and clever killer
strikes again.
Comments:
Think of a Number has everything an enjoyable
thriller should: complex, interesting characters; an
intricate plot with a baffling mystery; accomplished prose
that takes you deep into the consciousness of the main
characters; and relentless suspense that will keep you
turning the pages late into the night. This is the first
installment in an upcoming series featuring the
captivating Dave Gurney.
Reviewed by bb, 02/12. Other reviews by bb. Have you read this book? Tell us what you think!
