In a perfect world, the deviant cannot be permitted to live.
Someone has been murdering sex workers and those on the margins of the city, flaying the skin from their bodies, and leaving them as a warning to others like them.
Jamie Brooke used to be a police officer. But there’s no place on the force for someone who wasn’t fast enough to stop a killer from attacking Parliament and killing a friend.
Blake Daniel is on the verge of being fired, his life and his mind in tatters. Cursed with the ability to “see” the murderous past of certain objects and relics, his life has become a waking nightmare — his only relief at the bottom of a bottle.
They’ve had their fill of danger and death, and just want to be left alone… but evil isn’t done with either of them. So when the body of a priest is discovered — stabbed and slashed, skin flayed off, and white feathers stuffed in his mouth — Jamie and Blake find themselves enmeshed in the web of murders terrifying the city.
The community is paralyzed. The police are powerless — or maybe even covering up the murders. It’s up to Jamie and Blake to solve their darkest mystery yet.
And they have to hurry. More death is coming. Because the murderers want one simple thing: perfection. And that can’t exist in a world with any DEVIANCE.
Blending crime and psychological thriller with a touch of the supernatural, Deviance is a one-of-a-kind adventure from the mind of New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J.F. Penn!
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Reviews
“A riveting and dark story. The storyline of Deviance is phenomenal and grabs you right from the start. The characters, especially Jamie and Blake, are intriguing, wounded and sensuous. The research and historical context is extensive and wonderfully portrayed of London's underworld and the upper and lower class citizens past and present.” Heather
“JF Penn's extensive historical and regional research is evident in every story she writes. This book has societal ills, government corruption, wounded psyches and the worst and best of humanity, all rolled into a fantastic read that keeps you on the edge of your seat for the entire book.” Litekeeper
“Penn has a knack for weaving unusual historical fact into a modern setting as background for a mystery thriller.” Jane
“This book is about more than catching a killer. It is about the dark underside of London and Penn vividly paints a vibrant picture of the people who live and work there.” Donna
“The author colourfully weaves suspense with supernatural/ paranormal and dives into the darkness of humanity … This fast-paced action thriller is not only well-written and well researched it is filled with intrigue and peppered with spectacular twists and turns.” Toni
“The darkness of the setting of this story is offset by the depth of human care and kindness that many of the characters share. The depth of depravity of the main antagonist is offset by the strength of the community to which he directs his evil actions. I really recommend this book and J. F. Penn!” – D. Dobler
“You will not want to be interrupted once you start this book.” – Betsy
“Stunning book, had me up all night reading … [it] smolders on the embers of darkness and sensuality … beneath this story is the author’s love of London. I’ve been to London several times and done quite a bit of wandering only to find myself in places I couldn’t understand and was tempted not to fear. But I ran, asked for directions, and retreated to the façade that felt safe but robbed me, and other tourists, of the depths the city holds. Now I want to go back. And when I do, my eyes will be to the skies in search of swarming ravens. And I will follow.” – Mary A. Madsen
