Black Dog - Thomas Laird

Black Dog lives in the deepest pit of the human soul. It's where desolation and depression reside and where Jimmy Parisi, the Chicago detective, is fighting against fatigue and burnout. But he must keep working - in his latest case someone is draining the blood out of young women leaving them to die slowly. There are signs that a crude needle is being used, and it looks like someone who knows the art of mortuary science.

Why does the killer bleed his victims? Jimmy and his partner come to realise that the blood is connected to satanic ritual and that vampire cults that celebrate the black arts exist - indeed thrive - in sophisticated cities such as Chicago.
At the same time the homicide investigator is called to work on the murder of an inner-city senior citizen. The killing is referred to at first as 'low profile', but, as the case develops, it becomes clear that no one and nothing is as it seems. And then Black Dog gets personal with Jimmy - something traumatic happens in his home life and the Chicago cop is a candle lit at both ends. Two killers to catch and a family tragedy to survive . . .

Will Jimmy still be standing at the end?

Thomas Laird has had over twenty short stories published in US literary magazines. He teaches creative writing and literature at a high school in Peoria, Illinois. He lives with his wife Janet and their dogs Rocco and Mike. Laird is currently working on another Jimmy Parisi novel.