Firetrap: A Marko Zorn Novel

Eskin’s predictable third outing for maverick D.C. Metropolitan Police detective Zorn (after Head Shot) sees him investigating a spate of crimes tied to a fentanyl-like super-narcotic. Zorn’s on a tight leash after he’s assigned a new boss, Capt. Kelly Flynn, who doesn’t take kindly to the detective’s unconventional methods and penchant for accepting off-the-books assignments. When a murder case crosses Zorn’s desk, however, he can’t help but test his new boundaries. The victim, Dr. Harvey Young, who invented an ultra-powerful opioid that’s been flooding American cities, causing a sharp increase in overdose deaths, has been found burned to death in his car. Young and his business partner were recently bought out by Magma Capital Management, a rapacious hedge fund owned by brothers Sabastian and Maximilian Poole, over Young’s objections. Despite the Pooles’ heavy security, Zorn bluffs his way into Sabastian’s home, where he witnesses another murder. From there, he engages in a high-energy game of cat-and-mouse with the Poole brothers that offers plenty of thrills, but few surprises. The frantic action is fun for a while, but before long, Zorn’s feats start to strain credulity (he’s able to slip in nearly anywhere with nary an ID check), and the whole enterprise becomes predictable. Here’s hoping the follow-up delivers a few more surprises. Agent: Judith Ehrlich, Judith Ehrlich Literary. (Jan.)