There is almost nothing that Periceles (Perry to everyone, except his mother) Alexandros Christo hates more than a "simple" missing person's case. After working his way up to being a homicide detective with the New York Police Department, Perry had been caught up in the dark cloud of a corruption scandal and forced to leave. Now still struggling six years later to make a living for himself as a Private Investigator, Perry resigns himself to taking what came along, including Missing Persons.

Pulling his worn collar up against the cold and the wind, Perry is glad to arrive at the address of Julia Drusilla, a wealthy and reclusive older divorced woman who wants his help to find her missing daughter, Angelina. Surprised at the coolness of the woman (as well as the luxury penthouse), Perry gets scant details about Julia's beautiful daughter, Angel, and the information that if she doesn't sign some papers on her upcoming 21st birthday, she stands to lose a significant inheritance from her grandfather.

As Perry seeks to find the wisps of a trail for the missing Angel, he discovers that she is involved with some pretty earthy people with devilish habits. Hampered by the fact that Julia wants no police involvement, Perry seeks help from a former colleague and relentlessly follows up on the few details he gets. Can he find her in time? Angel seems to have a lot of "exs" in her life. Ex-girlfriend, ex- boyfriend, even a father who seems more interested in his booze and lover than in finding his daughter. What are they holding back? What is really going on with this missing Angel?

INHERIT THE DEAD is almost as intriguing a concept as the book itself. It is a well-crafted serial thriller with Introduction by Lee Childs and collaboratively written by twenty well-known and highly respected crime and mystery writers. All proceeds from the book are being donated to Safe Havens, an agency serving the needs of victims of crime in the United States.

While keeping a smooth and consistent plotline, each chapter is written by a different author (all top-notch contributors ranging from Charlaine Harris and Heather Graham to John Connolly to Mary Higgins Clark) who moves the story forward in his or her own distinctive style. Suspense is especially high at the end of each chapter so you just have to dive into the next one following Perry as small elusive clues has him slogging through the dreary winter streets of New York to private mansions in the Hamptons. All well connected chapters, then culminating in a surprising and shocking conclusion masterfully written by Lawrence Block. Thrillers fans will definitely want to check this book out! Not only is it a good read, you can feel good too as it supports a very worthy cause! Enjoy!