The Mantis Pact

The Mantis Pact is a crime thriller set in 2003 in the American Midwest. It features a diverse range of characters including Lieutenant Paul Kleberson, head of the homicide squad in Wichita, Kansas. Paul Kleberson is the son of a high-ranking USAF officer, and was educated in England during the 1980s when his father was stationed there. He graduated from Peterhouse College, Cambridge, with a First in History, and although he always desired a quiet academic career, his sharp investigative skills took him, somewhat unwillingly, into law-enforcement instead. Early in the investigation into two high-profile murders, Kleberson becomes entangled in departmental politics, initially emanating from the Head of Internal Affairs, Lieutenant Morley. However, they soon begin to widen and centre around one of the most influential local families, that of the first victim’s fiancé. The more Kleberson pushes for access to the fiancé, well-known as a philanderer, the more he finds his path blocked, not only by the family’s lawyer, but also by his ultimate boss, Chief of Police Stanton. The total lack of any forensic clues left at the scenes raises the possibility that these murders may not be just a local co-incidence, and wider enquiry quickly-reveals a possible link to a serial killer known to the FBI, but apparently killed during an investigation into similar murders in California two months earlier. Having previously been an FBI Agent, Kleberson is able to call on the assistance of an old friend and FBI colleague, but that only increases the political maelstrom that threatens to totally envelop him, and his squad, as the investigation progresses.What readers have said about ‘The Mantis Pact’:“The twists and turns are as good as any literary roller coaster I've ever been on and the background research is really tight. Crime Thrillers are usually full of holes and have really unsatisfactory endings but if you read only one book this year from this genre, this is it.”“It sounds a bit cliche but I just couldn't put it down, reading just a few pages more until I was hooked into another line of the story, "yes dear, just a couple more pages" was the most spoken phrase to my wife until it was finished.”“I love the way this book is written. There is so much detail and information on every character and action. If you like a good, fascinating read, this is the book for you. Even the location of the various parts of the book make you feel like you know downtown Witchita and have even been there!”“I have to say this isn't the kind of book I would normally get into but I couldn't put it down. Very cleverly written and keeps you gripped all the way through.”