Suffer the Children

Maggie Gardiner, forensics expert for the Cleveland police department, and Jack Renner, a homicide detective with a killer secret, confront the darkest threat yet to their careers-and their lives.

The body of fifteen-year-old Rachael Donahue-raised in foster homes and violently unapproachable-has been discovered at the bottom of a stairwell at Firebird, the secure facility for juvenile offenders. The girl's death comes with a disturbing twist-she may have been involved with a much older man. But Rachael's not the only resident to come to a dead end.

Firebird's ten-year-old "wild child" has overdosed in the infirmary-back-to-back tragedies that appear to be terrible accidents. But Maggie and Jack suspect a cold-blooded murderer with an agenda. And as Maggie's ex-husband gets nearer to uncovering secrets that Maggie and Jack must hide, it becomes increasingly hard for them to protect a new and vulnerable victim …

Praise for Lisa Black and Her Gardiner and Renner Thrillers

"Black keeps the suspense high throughout."
-Publishers Weekly

"Well-plotted and paced … with a pair of intriguing protagonists."
-Booklist

"Lisa Black always delivers."
-Jeff Lindsay, creator of the DEXTER series

"One of the best storytellers around."
-Tess Gerritsen

"An absolute must read."
-Suspense Magazine