The Quickie

A Deadly Race Against Time

In The Quickie by Michael Ledwidge and James Patterson (2008, Headline), a series of brutal murders shocks New York City—each victim found with a single, telltale grisly clue. Detective Jake Brogan is called in when the bodies start piling up, but he soon realizes this killer isn’t just random: every crime is executed with chilling precision, as if time itself were the weapon. Brogan’s hunt becomes a pulse-pounding sprint through dark alleys and neon-lit streets, where the next second could cost another life.

An Unlikely Partnership

Pulled into the investigation is psychologist Dr. Zoe Katz, whose expertise in psychopathy uncovers the twisted mind behind the carnage. As Brogan and Katz pool their skills—his street-wise instincts and her cerebral insights—they forge a tenuous alliance. Late-night stakeouts give way to frantic profiling sessions, and every breakthrough only deepens the mystery, drawing them closer to the heart of a murderer who seems always one step ahead.

The Power of a Single Moment

In a climax where every heartbeat echoes like a ticking clock, Brogan and Katz must gamble everything on a single instinct. Patterson and Ledwidge weave razor-sharp prose with relentless suspense, reminding us that sometimes the smallest detail—and the quickest decision—can mean the difference between salvation and slaughter. The Quickie is a razor-wire thriller that never lets you look away.