Unable to locate the head of a dead pianist, psychologist PJ Gray and with homicide detective Leo Schultz must attempt to recreate the crime using the computer software she has developed in order to put an end to a killer's diabolical scheme. Reissue.

When a diabolical hacker breaks into the hospital's computer and starts tampering with medical orders, patients start dying, and forensic computer simulation expert and psychologist PJ Gray, along with homicide cop Leo Schultz, races against time to stop a maniacal mastermind who dares them to catch him. Reprint.

From Shirley Kennett, author of the highly acclaimed Fire Cracker and Gray Matter, comes an electrifying new suspense novel featuring her smart, engaging cybersleuth PJ Gray.A string of seemingly unrelated murders baffles the St. Louis police until PJ Gray, psychologist and pioneer in forensic computer simulation, detects a pattern. As head of the Computerized Homicide Investigations Department, PJ has already cracked a number of cases using an innovative virtual reality program that allows her to "see" the murders from the victim's or killer's perspective. And while PJ uses her keyboard, her partner and friend, Detective Lea Schultz, uses old-fashioned legwork to sift through the grisly pieces of this puzzling case. But the truth is more shocking than either of them could ever have imagined. For the killer is a friend of PJ's son—and he is 12 years old. His name is Columbus Wade, and although in reality he is a seventh grade misfit, in virtual reality, he is the ruler of a gruesome alternate universe, a secret cyber world where he rehearses his brutal murder. And PJ's son may be his next victim—unless she can beat Columbus at his own deadly game.

Like the super-selling novels of Patricia Cornwell, this gripping new suspense thriller combines all the elements for a compelling and un-put-downable reading: a complex heroine, an inside look at the intricacies of big-city law enforcement—and murder. What gives "Act of Betrayal" its fascinating and original twist is that Avery's character PJ Gray is a police psychologist whose cutting edge forensic computer simulation program allows her to get inside the minds of killers. Her partner is veteran detective Leo Schultz, a hot-headed homicide cop who prefers a traditional, direct approach with his suspects. Together, they manage to crack the cases that have baffled their colleagues on the St. Louis police force.In "Act of Betrayal", Leo Schultz finds himself in a very dangerous place—and suspected of committing a horrible crime. After his son becomes the victim of a grotesque murder, the detective drinks himself senseless at the nearest bar. The next morning, his car is identified as the vehicle of a hit-and-run accident that killed a little girl. With her partner wanted for murder and a manhunt mounted, cybersleuth PJ Gray launches an investigation into Rick Schultz's death that uncovers disturbing links to another murder case—one Leo worked on more than a decade ago. As she digs into Leo's past, PJ discovers just how little she really knows about him. Then, another brutal murder stuns the city, and PJ is forced to make a deal with Cracker, the enigmatic computer genius and depraved criminal, to help her catch the killer. For Leo has become a player in a deadly game of vengeance, and unless PJ acts fast, he'll suffer the same fate as his son.

The mutilated body on the St Louis riverfront is just the beginning. PJ Gray has her hands full when the Metro Mangler claims more victims. As the case heats up, so do her feelings for her partner, Detective Leo Schultz.