This is one case that esteemed FBI Special Agent Frank Donnelly has been unable to crack for years. This is THE killer who keeps slipping through Frank's hands. The murderer is always one step ahead of the investigation as he stealthily mounts his body count. The case is also critically important to Frank, because of its impact on his personal life. The novel unravels the agent's investigation into the Slasher in author Marni Tagami's new psychological suspense novel, The Scarlet Scalpel; named for the weapon of choice of the Slasher, and the scarlet scarf left wrapped around the neck of the victims. The Slasher has led Frank from Denver to San Francisco, and now to the desert city of Phoenix, Arizona. There he is assigned a new partner, Matthew "Toad" Towin. Both ace FBI agents doggedly follow all leads possible to bring down the elusive and mysterious Slasher who comes and goes like a ghost.As Frank gets closer to finding out the true identity of the Slasher, he also has to discover some traumatic events from a past he doesn't remember. The secrets of his past begin to come to light to the reader even as they remain hidden to Frank. When the Slasher is finally brought down, Frank is shocked. He never dreamed that the Slasher could be so closely related to him. The discovery rocks his world and his career.The Scarlet Scalpel is a fascinating journey that comes with plot twists, impressive character developments, and a storyline that is unique to the genre of psychological criminal suspense.