Edge: A Novel

Plot

Crafting a chilling, strategy-driven thriller packed with “nifty new tricks” (Publishers Weekly), Jeffery Deaver lifts the veil on a clandestine government agency—pitting two “ingenious” (Library Journal) opponents in a high-stakes duel of wits with deadly consequences.Behind the well-known US security apparatus—FBI, CIA, and more—lurks a top-secret agency specializing in intelligence surveillance and witness protection through its elite operatives. When Washington, DC, police detective Ryan Kessler becomes the inexplicable target of Henry Loving, a ruthless freelance lifter who uses torture, kidnapping, and family leverage, an existential threat to life itself is unleashed. Enter Corte, a senior federal protection officer—a “shepherd” driven by personal vendetta and decked with tactical brilliance and board-game inspired strategy. As Loving resurfaces six years after killing Corte’s mentor, the stage is set for a deadly match. Corte is entrusted to safeguard the Kessler family and unravel the mystery: who hired Loving, and why? With assistance from investigator Claire DuBois and FBI agent Paul Fredericks, Corte must anticipate every move of the lifter. What follows is a relentless chase, escalating psychological tension, and twisting revelations as family bonds fray under pressure. Lee’s axiom—“people will do anything to anybody, if the edge is right”—defines the deadly contest. Edge is a stand-alone government agency thriller that fuses intense psychological suspense, tactical game theory, and moral complexity. Fans of calculated espionage, modern crime thrillers, and plot-twisting suspense will relish this duel between protector and predator.