Skin Deep

Someone is killing the most alluring women of Boston. Someone whose keen eye for beauty masks a twisted mind. Someone who insinuates himself into his victims' lives and leaves them with nothing but an elegant black stocking knotted around their necks. Homicide detective Lt. Steve Markarian must stop the killer before another vulnerable woman is sacrificed--possibly even his own estranged wife. Beset with loneliness and addictions, Steve pursues leads all over greater Boston--from the haunts of blue-blooded Brahmins, to seedy strip joints, to mansions by the sea, to the halls of prestigious universities, to the offices of his own precinct--and to the recesses of his own heart, only to discover that he himself may actually be the killer. In this stunning psychological thriller, bestselling author Gary Braver explores the nature of beauty, how women may strive to achieve it, and the forbidden yearnings that kill in its name.

About the Author :
Gary Braver is the bestselling author of six critically acclaimed thrillers including "Elixir," "Gray Matter," and "Flashback," which was recipient of the 2006 Massachusetts Honor Book Award for Fiction--a first for a thriller--and which in a starred review "Publishers Weekly" called "an exceptional medical thriller." His novels have been translated into five languages, and three have been optioned for movies. Under his own name, Gary Goshgarian, he is an award-winning professor of English at Northeastern University where he teaches courses in Modern Bestsellers, Science Fiction, Horror Fiction, and Fiction Writing. He has taught fiction-writing workshops through out the United States and Europe for over twenty years. He is the author of five college writing textbooks.

Review :
"Here's a successful thriller from an author who gets better with each book. In Boston, someone is cleverly murdering some very beautiful women. Tasked with finding the killer is Detective Lieutenant Steve Markarian, whose normally razor-sharp mind may be just a little cluttered with this own personal issues, including a recent separation from his wife and a couple of very incompatible addictions. As he tracks the nameless, faceless killer, Markarian--this might sound flimsy, but Braver completely makes it work--begins to suspect that he could be the man he is chasing. Not only is this Braver's best novel so far (it follows "Flashback," 2005), it's a gripping, twisty thriller that deserves a wide audience. And Steve Markarian, the deeply troubled hero, is a man we can't help rooting for, even as we entertain serious doubts about his psychological stability."--"Booklist ""I read "Skin Deep" by Gary Braver in a single sitting. It is an outstanding medical thriller, sharply plotted, with crisp dialog, intelligent characters--and a premise that will freeze your blood. Gary Braver is a hell of a good writer. Wow!"--Douglas Preston, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Blasphemy" "Put off that tummy tuck until you read "Skin Deep."The latest from this medical mystery master will turn your spine into a Popsicle."--Jacquelyn Mitchard, "New York Times" bestselling author "I can't say enough about "Skin Deep." Braver manages some clever twists and turns in this terrific new book."--Anita Shreve, "New York Times" bestselling author "A nerve-jangling thriller that combines the horror of "The Silence of the Lambs" with the medical terror of Robin Cook. As terrifying as it is ingenious, the book is destined to become a classic of suspense and horror."--James Rollins, "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Judas Strain" "A fascinating, frightening tour de force--a riveting mix of medical thriller, forensic puzzler, and intense psychological drama."--Michael Palmer, "New York Times" bestselling author of "The First Patient" “Here's a successful thriller from an author who gets better with each book. In Boston, someone is cleverly murdering some very beautiful women. Tasked with finding the killer is Detective Lieutenant Steve Markarian, whose normally razor-sharp mind may be just a little cluttered with this own personal issues, including a recent separation from his wife and a couple of very incompatible addictions. As he tracks the nameless, faceless killer, Markarian--this might sound flimsy, but Braver completely makes it work--begins to suspect that he could be the man he is chasing. Not only is this Braver's best novel so far (it follows "Flashback," 2005), it's a gripping, twisty thriller that deserves a wide audience. And Steve Markarian, the deeply troubled hero, is a man we can't help rooting for, even as we entertain serious doubts about his psychological stability.”--"Booklist "“I read "Skin Deep" by Gary Braver in a single sitting. It is an outstanding medical thrille "Here's a successful thriller from an author who gets better with each book. In Boston, someone is cleverly murdering some very beautiful women. Tasked with finding the killer is Detective Lieutenant Steve Markarian, whose normally razor-sharp mind may be just a little cluttered with this own personal issues, including a recent separation from his wife and a couple of very incompatible addictions. As he tracks the nameless, faceless killer, Markarian--this might sound flimsy, but Braver completely makes it work--begins to suspect that he could be the man he is chasing. Not only is this Braver's best novel so far (it follows "Flashback," 2005), it's a gripping, twisty thriller that deserves a wide audience. And Steve Markarian, the deeply troubled hero, is a man we can't help rooting for, even as we entertain serious doubts about his psychological stability."--"Booklist ""I read "Skin Deep" by Gary Braver in a single sitting. It is an outstanding medical thriller, sharply plotted, with crisp dialog, intelligent characters--and a premise that will freeze your blood. Gary Braver is a hell of a good writer. Wow!"--Douglas Preston, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Blasphemy" "Put off that tummy tuck until you read "Skin Deep,"The latest from this medical mystery master will turn your spine into a Popsicle."--Jacquelyn Mitchard, "New York Times" bestselling author "I can't say enough about "Skin Deep," Braver manages some clever twists and turns in this terrific new book."--Anita Shreve, "New York Times" bestselling author "A nerve-jangling thriller that combines the horror of "The Silence of the Lambs" with the medical terror of Robin Cook. As terrifying as it isingenious, the book is destined to become a classic of suspense and horror."--James Rollins, "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Judas Strain" "A fascinating, frightening tour de force--a riveting mix of medical thriller, forensic puzzler, and intense psychological drama."--Michael Palmer, "New York Times" bestselling author of "The First Patient" "I read "Skin Deep" by Gary Braver in a single sitting. It is an outstanding medical thriller, sharply plotted, with crisp dialog, intelligent characters--and a premise that will freeze your blood. Gary Braver is a hell of a good writer. Wow!"--Douglas Preston, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Blasphemy" "Put off that tummy tuck until you read "Skin Deep,"The latest from this medical mystery master will turn your spine into a Popsicle."--Jacquelyn Mitchard, "New York Times" bestselling author "I can't say enough about "Skin Deep," Braver manages some clever twists and turns in this terrific new book."--Anita Shreve, "New York Times" bestselling author "A nerve-jangling thriller that combines the horror of "The Silence of the Lambs" with the medical terror of Robin Cook. As terrifying as it is ingenious, the book is destined to become a classic of suspense and horror."--James Rollins, "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Judas Strain" "A fascinating, frightening tour de force--a riveting mix of medical thriller, forensic puzzler, and intense psychological drama."--Michael Palmer, "New York Times" bestselling author of "The First Patient"