A cunning collection of short stories from the master of misdirection with tales featuring the hugely popular series characters Lincoln Rhyme and Kathryn Dance. TENSION . . . An aging actor attempts to revive his career by entering a celebrity poker game for a reality TV show.

Can he outwit his devious opponents, or is his fate doomed from the outset?CONSPIRACY . . . A successful crime writer dies under seemingly natural circumstances, but for one cop, doubts are lingering.

There's certainly motive for murder - or is there more to the case than meets the eye?

MURDER . . . Lincoln Rhyme is announced dead, shot by one of his suspects in cold blood.

Is this the end of the line for the criminalist, or just another twist in the tale?