Pg. 69: Jay Bonansinga's "Shattered"

The current feature at the Page 69 Test: Jay Bonansinga's Shattered.

About the novel, from the publisher:

FBI profiler Ulysses Grove is sure he’s this close to trapping a serial killer ... but the killer is planning a gruesome surprise that will come far too close to home…

The Image Of Murder

The Mississippi Ripper likes to work in pairs—of victims. For every dead body laid to waste, a second one faces it, a grotesque mirror image of terror and torment. Special Agent Ulysses Grove thinks he knows the method to the killer’s madness. But grasping the twisted logic behind the brutal slayings propels him onto a path of danger—to him and to everything he holds dear.

Pushed to the limit, Grove’s only hope is to dig deep into his own past. But this is one serial killer with powerful resources—and Grove’s worst fears are already one step ahead of him...

Among the praise for Shattered:

"Bonansinga's third outing with FBI profiler Ulysses Grove is a first-rate suspense thriller, as compelling as it is frightening. Grove is living with his wife, Maura, and their infant son, Aaron, in northern Virginia when he receives his latest assignment, tracking down a serial killer who offs his victims in pairs before systematically eviscerating them. As he continues his brutal rampage, with Grove doggedly in pursuit, the killer turns his sights on Grove's family—and the villain's preternatural powers may just lead him to their front door. Fortunately for Grove, he's got supernatural aid of his own in his mother's psychic visions; even more fortunate is the way Bonansinga never lets the intensity flag while balancing believable characters, forensic science, hard-nosed detective work and paranormal flourishes. Grove proves to be one of the most genuine, flesh-and-blood suspense-thriller protagonists out there, and the foe Bonansinga pits against him is truly chilling."
--Publishers Weekly

"M. Night Shyamalan, meet Harlan Coben."
--David Ellis

Read an excerpt from Shattered, and learn more about the author and his work at Jay Bonansinga's website.

Watch the video for Shattered.

Shattered is a finalist for ITW's 2008 Thriller Award in Best Paperback Original.

Jay Bonansinga is the author of several acclaimed suspense novels, as well as three original screenplays currently in development in Hollywood.

The Page 69 Test: Shattered.

--Marshal Zeringue