The Serialist

Book excerpt: “A literary pulp fiction that flays and skewers post-Millennial New York and along the way reinvents the American detective novel.” —Evan Wright, New York Times–bestselling author Harry Bloch is a ghost—ghostwriter, that is. He’s the man behind your favorite pulpy barbarians-in-space novels and vampire romances. He’s no bestselling success, but he’s eked out a living as a freelancer, living in Queens in his late mother’s apartment. Until now. Dollar signs start dancing in his head when he comes to the attention of Darian Clay, the imprisoned serial killer who tortured and beheaded four women in New York City. Having exclusive access to Clay’s story—just before his execution date—would give Bloch’s career the lift he’s been waiting for. Morality aside, it’s a win-win situation. But then women start dying—in the exact same manner as Clay’s previous victims. And Bloch is the one finding them dead, making him the prime suspect unless he can track down the copycat killer. Bloch knows that nice guys finish last, but now it’s his chance to prove that mediocre ones should never be underestimated. “An impressive debut.” —Los Angeles Times “An irreverent and funny twist on the classic whodunit—the kind of pulp-fiction mystery that made the careers of such writers as Jim Thompson, Raymond Chandler, and Dashiell Hammett.” —GQ.com “Seldom has a serial-killer story been as richly textured and laugh-out-loud funny as this one.” —Booklist (starred review)