The Straw Men »

This electrifying debut novel opens with three seemingly unrelated events that are the first signs of an unimaginable network of fear. Soon, one unlikely hero is led into a chilling confrontation with The Straw Men. No one knows who they are--or why they kill. But they must be stopped

Publishers Weekly

Marshalls debut thriller, which is essentially two seemingly independent stories that meet in the middle, takes its time hooking readers. But once the complex and disparate plot lines meld, this expansive work demands the readers attention. In Dyersburg, Mont., narrator Ward Hopkins, attempting to make sense of the accident that killed his parents, discovers a note and videotape that lead him to believe their lives (and deaths) were not as they appeared. Meanwhile, the abduction of 14-year-old Sarah Becker renews the search for a serial killer who scalps his victims, embroiders their names into sweaters using their hair and then delivers the clothing to the victims parents. As Ward and his CIA buddy slowly unravel the mystery surrounding Wards parents, FBI agent Nina Baynam and former LAPD homicide detective John Zandt search for the elusive killer. Their paths cross when a series of connections is made between the victims and a bizarre cult known as The Straw Men. Marshalls book is filled with pages of uninterrupted description, which, while compelling, doesnt make for fast reading. But, to borrow a clichE, the devil is in the details. Thats certainly the case with this novel, whose graphic scenes of child abuse and dismemberment depict humankind at its most evil. (Aug.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.