The Architect - by John Katzenbach (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

From #1 internationally bestselling author John Katzenbach comes this pulse-pounding thriller that proves there's nothing more dangerous than digging up secrets from your own family's past.

"Remember what your name means. I'm so sorry."

Just two weeks before her final architecture exams, Sloane Connolly receives this cryptic handwritten note from her estranged mother. When her calls go unanswered, Sloane returns to her hometown in northwest Massachusetts to discover that her mother has vanished. A thorough search turns up no trace of her--and the police are ultimately forced to give up and rule her disappearance a suicide.

As Sloane deals with the aftermath, she distracts herself by taking on a mysterious commission: to design a memorial for six strangers whose connection to her anonymous client--known to her only as The Employer--is deliberately kept in the dark. To complete this project, Sloane must trace the lives of all six individuals and uncover the hidden links between them. With the promise of a multimillion-dollar payday and a prestigious jump start to her career, it's an opportunity too important to pass up.

But as the trail pulls her from Maine to Miami, Sloane begins to realize that the memorial is far more than just an academic exercise. The secrets she uncovers begin to weave dangerously into her own family's tragic history, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew--and to discover for herself just how far she's willing to go to survive.

Review Quotes

"Few writers of crime fiction seem to understand the criminal mind as well as Katzenbach."

"For readers who enjoy suspense novels built around family secrets and layered mysteries."

"January LaVoy's stunning audiobook performance is filled with emotion, urgency, and edge-of-your-seat intensity. Her masterful narration brings every twist, revelation, and moment of suspense vividly to life, making this an unforgettable listening experience."

"Katzenbach delivers an intricately woven plot...Gripping."

"Katzenbach is a skilled storyteller who...[makes] one want to keep turning pages."

"Katzenbach never writes the same book twice, nor does he use the same plot devices or characters."

"This book is a jigsaw puzzle: As each new piece snaps into place, the bigger picture becomes a bit more clear. Full of suspense, and sporting some seriously surprising plot twists, The Architect is typical Katzenbach fare, which means it's perfectly crafted, well-written, and deeply satisfying."