Book detail

	Malicious Intent Author: Kathryn Fox Published: January 1, 2005A gripping and powerful new thriller -- the debut of a stunning new voice in suspense fiction -- and the first appearance of a tough and remarkable investigator, pathologist, and forensic physician, Dr. Anya Crichton. The only female freelancer in the male-dominated field, pathologist Dr. Anya Crichton will take any work she can find to pay child support and her mortgage, get her new business off the ground, and battle her ex-husband for custody of their three-year-old son. Things turn around rapidly, however, when her expert forensic evidence is instrumental in winning a high-profile case -- and new work offers start pouring in. But Anya's investigation into the drug overdose of a young Lebanese girl is raising troubling questions. Startling coincidences between this sad and tragic death and a series of seemingly unrelated suicides that Anya is also examining at the urging of her friend and colleague, detective sergeant Kate Farrer, suggest that there's a monumental evil at work in the shadows. With each scalpel cut, Anya Crichton's forensic prowess and deductive brilliance are pulling her relentlessly toward a sinister plot and a devastating truth -- and once she enters the lethal darkness, she may never again see the light of day. Reviews 'MALICIOUS INTENT will keep you gripped from start to finish. Author Fox displays the deft hand of a natural writer, whether she's weaving her break-neck plots, imparting fascinating medical and police procedural details or breathing life into her characters - both good and bad. What a compelling new talent!' JEFFERY DEAVER, author of THE BONE COLLECTOR and THE VANISHED MAN 'Kathryn Fox has created a forensic physician who readers of Patricia Cornwell will adore. MALICIOUS INTENT is chock full of interesting information and also has several nifty twists and turns.' JAMES PATTERSON, author of 3rd DEGREE 'Highly recommended reading.' DAILY TELEGRAPH "Simply delicious, a feast of the unexpected…Kathryn Fox skilfully keeps her reader on the edge of the chair, way past bedtime, with absolutely no chance of going to sleep." Partners in Crime "MALICIOUS INTENT is a fine novel. Gripping from its very first page, it carries you breathlessly through its deftly plotted twists and turns." Vogue Australia "Heart-stopping mystery." Woman's Day "Move over Kay Scarpetta, Temperance Brennan and Sam Ryan - Dr Anya Crichton is moving in on your patch. Fox…knows her stuff - and it's that very veracity that gives MALICIOUS INTENT its biting edge." Focus Magazine "A finely crafted novel." Sydney Morning Herald "A new Australian star in the thriller genre." Pittwater Life "A gripping offering…Readers will be absorbed from start to finish." Aussiereviews.com "Wastes no time in seizing interest. Absolutely riveting from the very beginning." Dymocks, Castle Hill "Move over Kay Scarpetta, there's a new heroine set to send chills down the spines of crime-novel fans." Australian Good Taste "Fox knows how to write decent prose, create sympathetic characters and pace a thriller, and she keeps the reader turning the pages." Australian Book Review '[Fox's] slow build-up of forensic evidence linking all these women is absolutely fascinating and, forensically speaking, MALICIOUS INTENT is top-notch in its genre' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'This is a striking debut from a local crime writer who, in Dr Anya Crichton, has found a pragmatic heroine with a lot on her mind. The interplay between Crichton's private life and the situation of the women on whose murders she beings to shed light is one of the most engaging features of a finely crafted novel.' SYDNEY MORNING HERALD 'With so much chaff in bookshops, it is a wonderful moment when you track down something that's really worth reading. And Kathryn Fox's first novel, MALICIOUS INTENT, is just that. A forensic thriller, it has just the right balance of pathological detail and tight plotting. Think ER meets CSI: Crime Scene Investigation in suburban Sydney. MALICIOUS INTENT is a fine novel. Gripping from its very first page, it carries you breathlessly through its deftly plotted twists and turns.' VOGUE 'MALICIOUS INTENT is, however, much better than anything Cornwell has written lately, and much superior to anything Reichs has ever written. Fox may be a medical practitioner, but she knows how to write decent prose, create sympathetic characters and pace a thriller, and she keeps the reader turning the pages. It's all very unsettling and deeply satisfying. A new talent to watch.' AUSTRALIAN BOOK REVIEW 'Crichton is a believable and sympathetic character, and the sometimes complex medical evidence is clearly conveyed through her voice and neat, natural dialogue. AUSTRALIAN BOOKSELLER AND PUBLISHER 'Fox is a gifted storyteller and the plot unfolds at a smooth pace that readily engages the reader's attention and makes good use of recent news headlines. The characters are well crafted and credible, and the forensic detail is interesting and convincing. In all, it is an impressive first novel…' CANBERRA TIMES 'Fox knows her stuff. MALICIOUS INTENT is a cool read where scientific detail is well balanced with a strong narrative line.' SUNDAY TASMANIAN 'Watch out Patricia Cornwell. Kathryn Fox's experience in forensic medicine gives authenticity to MALICIOUS INTENT without making it too drily scientific…an assured literary debut.' GOLD COAST BULLETIN 'The plot is original and engaging…has obviously been well researched. Fox has created an appealing character, whose personal life and family background set a good basis for any future novels in a series…I look forward to reading the next one.' GOODREADING MAGAZINE