Think of a Number

John Verdon

Dave Gurney is one of the most celebrated detectives in the history of the NYPD. He carved that reputation through cracking some infamous cases, including those of two notorious serial killers. Now Gurney has retired to the New York countryside, spending his days on art and trying to repair his marriage.

Unfortunately, after suggesting he take an art class with her, his wife is displeased with the path the class has taken. First the instructor seems to have taken more than a professional interest in her husband and, second, her husband is creating art out of the mugshots of the serial killers he put away.

Then a visit from a former college acquaintance catapults Dave back into the detective work he once excelled at. His old friend claims to be receiving threatening and yet very poetic messages from a mysterious source and reports that the sender also seems to be able to read his mind.

Arriving in the mail over a period of weeks the letters taunt this man with the simple request to think of a number – and when he complies, the acquaintance is shown that the letter-writer has accurately predicted his random choice.

The letters may be mere oddities, but this man is terrified – and what starts out as a diverting puzzle quickly spirals into a massive serial murder investigation. Brought in as an investigative consultant, Gurney soon accomplishes breakthroughs that leave local police in awe.

Yet, even as he matches wits with his seemingly clairvoyant opponent, Gurney’s tragedy-scarred past rises up to haunt him, his marriage approaches a dangerous precipice, and a cold fear builds that he’s finally met his match.