Set in San Francisco, with flashbacks to Chicago and New York, this chilling psychological thriller explores themes like the desire for revenge, the terrible burden of guilt, and the tyranny of unethical lawyers and corrupt judges.  It also focuses on the love between parent and child, the shattering pain of losing a loved one--and the many routes survivors take to deal with their loss. Featuring a story packed with suspense, an original and compelling storyline, vivid characters, and a satisfying ending, this thriller by author Susan Alexander is must-reading. When 8-year-old Davi is abducted on Market Street in San Francisco, her mother, lawyer Karen Clark, is gripped by fear. Karen has moved to the city from Chicago hoping to make a "fresh start" after the death of her husband. The abductor, disguising his voice, calls Karen and reveals where he's left Davi. Karen and her friend Abby rush to find Davi, cruelly left alone in a barren parking lot--but unharmed. Karen's panic subsides until she finds a crude note pinned to Davi's shirt: "You're next, Karen." Haunted by the note naming her as the next victim, Karen begins working with SFPD Detective Greg Chan to discover who abducted her daughter--and why. Their only clues are Davi's recall of a brown sofa and the words "RED DIANA." Karen and Greg spend weeks trying to discover the meaning of "Red Diana." Is "Diana" the name of a street in San Francisco? Does it refer to the Roman goddess of the hunt, portrayed in famous works of art? These attempts to find the abductor lead nowhere. Karen searches her brain to think of possible abductors. Disgruntled clients in her past? Weirdos encountered since she moved to San Francisco? In a brief respite, Karen reconnects with Brad, a law-school classmate visiting San Francisco. The feelings they had for each other reawaken, and Karen goes to Brad's room at the Palace Hotel, relishing the intimate time they spend together. But the respite ends, and Karen doubts that she'll ever see Brad again. When Karen and Greg Chan reach a dead end, Karen risks her safety by going forward on her own. She's met someone who promises to lead her to the abductor. In the sumptuous Victorian home of a wealthy entrepreneur who has offered to help her, she discovers the shocking answers she's been seeking. Please note: Karen Clark is also the protagonist in another riveting thriller by Susan Alexander, "A Quicker Blood." The suspenseful story in "RED DIANA" takes place 12 years later. Praise in online customer reviews of "A Quicker Blood," a published thriller by Susan Alexander that also features protagonist Karen Clark: "This book entered that happy category of books I hate to put down and can't wait to pick up again. An intriguing story, very inviting writing style, and vividly depicted settings and characters." Kenneth Manaster, Professor of Law, Santa Clara University "A great read! It kept me up two nights in a row, with my heart pounding. I'm looking forward to the sequel." Nancy Rosser, M.D. "A must-read for fans of John Grisham and Scott Turow legal thrillers. Great character development and a taut well-told story...with a blood-quickening finale. Put me down for her next book!" Michael Vandeveer "A mesmerizing and gripping thriller...a fast-paced tale filled with smart observations about the human heart." Julie Wosk, Author of My Fair Ladies: Female Robots, Androids, and Other Artificial Eves "Clever and creative with lots of twists and turns. At first a gentle stream, then a very wide calm lake.... [S]uddenly, out of nowhere, a raging vortex and a plunge over a roaring waterfall.... Very engaging." Michael J. Hons "Loved this book! A great book for an airplane, a vacation, or anytime.... I can't wait for either the sequel or the movie!" Eleanor White "In the vein of a very good John Grisham legal thriller." Jacques Sales, Attorney, Paris, France Susan Alexander is a lifelong writer who has worked as a lawyer and law professor. She now focuses primarily on writing. Susan grew up in Chicago, where she attended public schools before going on to earn degrees in political science at Washington University in St Louis (AB with highest honors) and Northwestern University (MA). She then chose to work towards social justice through law at Harvard University and earned a law degree at Harvard Law School. Susan began her legal career as a law clerk to a U.S. district judge in Chicago (Julius J. Hoffman, who famously presided over the "Chicago 7" trial, but who also offered his law clerks valuable experience deciding important legal issues). Susan then garnered a Reginald Heber Smith Fellowship, working as a public interest lawyer for two years: First, at the Chicago Legal Aid Bureau's Appellate and Test Case Division; second, at the National Legal Program on Health Problems of the Poor, located at UCLA Law School. Susan continued her work as a public interest lawyer at the Legal Aid Society of San Diego