In the tradition of Kathy Reichs and Jeffery Deaver, talented novelist Lisa Black introduces a gutsy forensic investigator caught in the middle of an explosive crisis.

During the Great Depression, the city of Cleveland was terrorized by more than the world's turmoil: a madman, who murdered by night and left his handiwork to be discovered in the first glare of day. He was America's version of Jack the Ripper, but more prolific.

He was bloody.
He was unknown.
He was never caught.
These are facts.

Trail of Blood begins where history leaves off...

When forensic pathologist Theresa MacLean (Evidence of Murder) is called in to examine a slightly mummified corpse, she realizes it's a likely victim of the infamous Torso Killer, a serial murderer never caught despite the bold statements he left all over the train yards of Cleveland. It turns out the victim was a young detective trying to solve the cases. Locally born and bred, with police department lineage, Theresa and her cousin Frank Patrick grew up on tales about the Torso Killer. When a copycat killer starts in, both know they are chasing madness.

Black constructs a compelling parallel story of the 1930s investigation with the modern-day pursuit. Readers may figure out the murderers—past and present—before Theresa does, but it's nonetheless a wild ride to the end of the line.