Pike (Switchblade)
Imagine Doug Pike’s surprise when, out of the blue, he becomes the sole custodian of his rather smart-mouthed 12-year-old granddaughter, Wendy. He hasn’t seen the girl for half her life, but, after her mother’s unexpected death, Pike is the only relative she has. Curious, Pike digs into his estranged daughter’s death and uncovers a nasty little story involving, among other things, a relentless—and frequently ruthless—cop who seems unusually concerned about little Wendy. Pike finds that he’s going to need to reconnect with his own seedy, violent past if he’s going to protect the girl (not to mention himself). This is a contemporary thriller that should satisfy any reader’s requirements for violence, tough characters, and sharp-edged dialogue. --David Pitt