The Instant #1 New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Three bodies in a beautiful and luxurious bedroom. Billy Harney was born to be a cop. The son of Chicago's chief of detectives, whose twin sister is also on the force, Billy plays it by the book. Alongside Detective Kate Fenton, Billy's tempestuous, adrenaline-junkie partner, there's nothing he wouldn't sacrifice for his job. Enter Amy Lentini, a hard-charging assistant state's attorney hell-bent on making a name for herself-who suspects Billy isn't the cop he claims to be. They're about to be linked by more than their careers. One missing black book. A horrifying murder leads investigators to an unexpected address-an exclusive brothel that caters to Chicago's most powerful citizens. There's plenty of incriminating evidence on the scene-but what matters most is what's missing: the madam's black book. Now with shock waves rippling through the city's elite, everyone's desperate to find it. Chicago has never been more dangerous. As everyone who's anyone in Chicago scrambles to get their hands on the elusive black book, no one's motives can be trusted. An ingenious, inventive thriller about power, corruption, and the power of secrets to scandalize a city-and possibly destroy a family-The Black Book is James Patterson at his page-turning best. James Patterson has had more New York Times bestsellers than any other writer, ever, according to Guinness World Records. Since his first novel won the Edgar Award in 1977 James Patterson's books have sold more than 300 million copies. He is the author of the Alex Cross novels, the most popular detective series of the past twenty-five years, including Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. He writes full-time and lives in Florida with his family. Praise for THE BLACK BOOK: "Brilliantly twisty...Many readers will agree with Patterson that this is the 'best book [he's] written in 25 years.'"-Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) "The mystery is authentic, the lead-up genuinely suspenseful, and the leading characters and situations more memorable than Patterson's managed in quite a while."-Kirkus "It's almost as thrilling to see a writer like James Patterson at the top of his game as it is to read THE BLACK BOOK--a total page-turner that will keep you guessing from start to terrifying finish."-Karin Slaughter "THE BLACK BOOK has more twists than a Formula One race, and the pace is just as fast. Deeply rooted characters, a touch of humor, and a climax nobody can see coming--it's vintage Patterson."-Brad Taylor