Maybe it’s because author Andrew Mayne is also a skilled magician that he is able to approach and describe the world around him with a keen sense of wonder. His latest thriller, IMPOSTOR SYNDROME, opens with a refuge officer who works at the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge. She recalls to herself the many spectacular experiences she has had with the wildlife there. However, nothing prepares her for what appears to be a white monolith made out of salt. It contains a hidden object that forces her to request that her colleague contact the FBI.

Thus begins this stunning thriller that features two of Mayne’s most popular characters from different series: former FBI agent Jessica Blackwood and Floridian underwater investigator Sloan McPherson, who are about to join forces on this confounding case.

"IMPOSTOR SYNDROME pulls no punches and finds Andrew Mayne delving the depths of some of the darkest storytelling he has ever explored."

Mayne infuses some of his magician experience through the character of Jessica, who refers regularly to her time performing in her family’s magic act. It gives her a unique perspective when looking at things that seem impossible to the naked eye, such as a human being encased within a pillar of salt. The actions of whoever did this resemble those of the serial killer known as the Warlock, who she had put away earlier in her career.

The victim is a social media influencer. Not long after this grisly discovery, Jessica and Sloan are called to investigate a body found at the bottom of a nearby lake that seems to be posed in such a way that points to the handiwork of the same killer. The victim is another influencer who was chained and placed in a position similar to the way that those accused of being witches would have been killed during the time of the medieval witch trials.

When a third victim barely survives an explosion intended to kill him, Jessica and Sloan realize that the religious symbolism behind these crimes means that their suspect is some kind of zealot with a frightening agenda that they need to puzzle out before he strikes again. They find out that the three influencers had one thing in common: the same Svengali-like figure in their lives who they were following in almost cultish admiration. This also expands the killer’s deadly scheme, and the race is on.

As the investigation continues, Jessica and Sloan briefly split up to tackle two separate lines of inquiry. Jessica heads to the town of Brotherhood in pursuit of two people who may be able to take them to their villain. Meanwhile, Sloan is following up on leads they developed in the underground dwellings beneath Las Vegas that may involve the evil genius they are seeking. It turns out that both of them are on the right track. By combining their individual findings, they place themselves on a head-on path that will lead them to a powerful and influential figure whose agenda is far worse than they originally thought.

IMPOSTOR SYNDROME pulls no punches and finds Andrew Mayne delving the depths of some of the darkest storytelling he has ever explored. Jessica Blackwood and Sloan McPherson are terrific characters, and their adversary is more than up to the task, which places them in serious danger. The result is a furiously entertaining novel that never lets up.