The Writer

Her bestsellers explore the wildest, strangest crimes. Now her husband has been murdered-is she a target, a victim, or is this even darker?

NYPD Detective Declan Shaw gets the call from his lieutenant at 9:42 p.m. How fast can you get to 211 Central Park West? The Beresford Building.

At Apartment 18A, Shaw's partner briefs him. The woman inside called 911 to report a break-in-and the murder of her husband. She fired a round at first responders, then made a baffling demand. Nobody comes in but Detective Declan Shaw.

The woman answers, covered in blood. She appears to be in shock. A body is lying dead on the floor of the luxurious living room.

Shaw walks in and spots floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with hardcover books. He recognizes the name-bestselling true-crime author Denise Morrow. When he looks closer, he sees they all show the same familiar picture on the back.

"This is you?" Shaw asks. "You're a writer?"

The real question is: Is she also a killer?