EVIL HAS MANY FACES

Chilling murders terrorize a town and bring together two detectives to face the hardest tasks of their lives. Jack Ludlum, who relies on his brawn to get things done, is now paired with his archenemy, Jill Jarred, a brilliant investigator with keen intuition. As they delve into the secret world of incels and white supremacists, and conflict between local authorities and the FBI rages, a media frenzy further complicates the mission.

Is there a serial killer on the loose? Or something entirely different? Will the detectives' clashing personalities be their undoing, or can they unite to stop the killer before they kill each other?

What Goes Around is a dynamic thriller that examines the intricacies of love, loss, and the unbreakable bonds that transcend time. With its pulse-pounding pace, captivating characters, and a revelatory twist that challenges the boundaries of life and death, this novel will keep you hooked from the first page to the last, and thinking long afterwards.

Excerpt

“Jack walked nervously up to her front door, heart pounding in his chest.

He thought about how unusual it was for him to be going to see her outside of work, especially in her home. While they had been co-workers for years, he now realized he’d always harbored a secret infatuation for her—though he wasn’t sure it was now safe, not sure if that ship had sailed. But now, here he was, a bit winded, standing on the doorstep.

Jill answered the door with a smile that made his heart skip a beat. She looked stunning in a simple white blouse and jeans, bare feet with polished pink toenails, her long hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders. She tossed her hair a bit as she greeted him.

“Hey,” she said, her amber eyes sparkling with excitement. Or was it uncertainty? “Come on in.”

Jack followed her inside, taking in the inviting living room with its plush couches, multiple pillows, and warm lighting. Abstract paintings decorated the walls, in vibrant yet soothing colors. A bookcase filled the far wall, lined with a combination of professional texts, non-fiction books, and what looked like a slew of mystery novels.

Jill saw his eyes hover about, taking it all in like a vacuum cleaner. “Always liked a good thriller,” she said, mischievously.

Jack smiled, but then became contemplative. He had always known that she was special, but now he was realizing just how much he had been missing out on all those years, together, but not together.

“You know,” he said, “after the other night, I was so confused. Happy…but confused. I wasn’t sure if it all was just a reaction to what we, especially you, went through that night.”

Jack stopped, feeling as if his throat had constricted. After a few moments, he continued. “We’ve been professionals for so long…”

Jill’s eyes widened, and seemed to be wet.

He felt the tension building between them, the unspoken attraction hanging in the air, vibrating like a tuning fork, the uncertainty surrounding them like an orchestra without a conductor. It seemed they were both very much aware of the possibility of something more, but neither one knew for sure if it was right.

Jack mumbled a few things that made little sense.

Jill leaned in close to him, her breath hot on his cheek. She put two fingers over his lips to shush him.

“I was wrong. Enough talk. Life is too short to mess around. I think we understand each other. What’s happened, maybe what has always been. Maybe…what will always be.”

She stopped a second, looking at Jack; afraid to look at Jack.

“We seem to have missed the clues, but we don’t have to miss anything anymore.

As detectives, we always follow the logic. Now let’s follow our hearts.”

Jack looked deeply into her eyes, knowing she was right. He closed the distance between them.”

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About the Author

Michael Wendroff is the author of What Goes Around, a debut thriller published by Bloomsbury, which bestselling author Eric Rickstad calls a “brilliant debut,” and bestselling author Lisa Black says, “starts off at a breakneck pace and doesn’t let up until it reaches its unexpected conclusion.” Plus, #1 bestselling author J.D. Black says, “Relentless and gritty, Wendroff expertly weaves a narrative that begs, ‘just one more page…’”

The book was inspired by what his mother said to him the second he was born: “Oh! How nice to see you–Again!”

Michael has an MBA in marketing from NYU, and was inducted into their Hall of Fame. He is a global marketing consultant. He shares his time between New York City, Sarasota, Florida, and Lake Garda, Italy. He is married and has three wonderful children.

His mother was an editor (watching his mother scribbling in red ink on manuscript pages at home on weekends prepared him for his own editor's comments!). She remarried a literary agent, so Michael was friendly with many authors, and even spent a vacation with Robert Ludlum. Watching Ludlum hand-write his 450 page novels on yellow legal pads didn't dissuade Michael from trying to write a novel (though he's thankful for his PC).

What Goes Around was launched in the USA, UK, and Australia, and foreign language rights have been sold in Italian, Japanese, and Hungarian. The hardcover went through 3 printings, and now the trade paperback is available (along with audio book and e-book).

Fun fact: Michael's great-grandfather was brought over by Thomas Edison from the University of Copenhagen to work with him. He holds a number of patents, including for plastic buttons. Michael proudly wears button- down shirts whenever he can.

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