Work hits too close to home for Deputy Coroner Clay Edison when his wife's life is thrown into jeopardy in this riveting, emotional thriller from the bestselling father-son team who write "brilliant, page-turning fiction" (Stephen King). A tragedy at Safe Harbor Health Clinic leaves three dead and many traumatized, including Amy Sandek, psychologist and wife of Deputy Clay Edison. After her boss mysteriously stops showing up for work, Amy answers a call for help from Shasta Swann's family that brings her and Clay to the beautiful landscape of Humboldt County. Soon upon arrival, the couple realizes that all is not what it seems in the lovely Swann home. Family tensions. Forest fires. Missing people and dead bodies. Clay’s idyllic getaway becomes another day on the job, and there is no better partner for him to solve this mystery but his wife. Praise for the Clay Edison series “As for the keen sense of drama, it must be a genetic trait. . . . Unlike most crime writers (not to mention their readers), who revel in the bloody aftermath of a violent encounter, the Kellermans show compassion for the survivors, including conscientious officials like Edison.” — The New York Times Book Review “As always, the Kellermans guarantee that readers will turn pages rapidly to enjoy the complex characters and intricate plot turns. . . . A winner for mystery readers.” — Library Journal “Clan Kellerman, I gotta say wow, just wow: I cannot recall another family of novelists quite so prolific and uniformly excellent. . . . Of all the Clay Edison books, this one is easily the most suspenseful—don’t miss it.” — BookPage , starred review “Crisp, witty dialogue zips this well-paced story along so that when violence happens, it comes as a shock. Kellerman fans will love this one.” — Kirkus Reviews , starred review “Edison is an interesting protagonist, a good man for whom finding the truth is more important than anything else, including his own safety. He’s gentle and strong, compassionate and ruthless, methodical and impulsive.” — Booklist “The Kellermans skillfully connect the plot’s many dots without skimping on character development. . . . Series fans and newcomers alike will enjoy themselves.” — Publishers Weekly “What could be better than merging two excellent, talented writers, in this case, father and son, long-time veteran Jonathan Kellerman and his son, Jesse? The answer is not much. The Lost Coast is another terrific entry in this outstanding series and a superb stand-alone. . . . Start and finish it within two days; that’s how good it is.” — Great Mysteries and Thrillers Jonathan Kellerman has lived in two worlds: clinical psychologist and #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than fifty crime novels. His unique perspective on human behavior has led to the creation of the Alex Delaware series, The Butcher’s Theater, Billy Straight, The Conspiracy Club, Twisted, True Detectives, and The Murderer’s Daughter . With his wife, bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman, he co-authored Double Homicide and Capital Crimes . With his son, bestselling novelist Jesse Kellerman, he co-authored The Burning, Half Moon Bay, A Measure of Darkness, Crime Scene, The Golem of Hollywood, and The Golem of Paris . He is also the author of two children’s books and numerous nonfiction works, including Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children and With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars . He has won the Goldwyn, Edgar, and Anthony awards and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association, and has been nominated for a Shamus Award. Jonathan and Faye Kellerman live in California. Jesse Kellerman won the Princess Grace Award for best young American playwright and is the author of Sunstroke, Trouble (nominated for the ITW Thriller Award for Best Novel), The Genius (winner of the Grand Prix des Lectrices de Elle ), The Executor, and Potboiler (nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel). He lives in California. Chapter 1 I’d been off the force and out on my own for a year when I got a call from Peter Franchette. We met in downtown Oakland, at the same sushi restaurant where I’d last left him on a rainy afternoon, sitting across from a sister he’d never met. I’d tracked her down for him—­a bit of extracurricular activity that was part of why I was off the force and out on my own. The summer sun was harsh as he stepped in from the street. “Sorry I’m late.” “Not at all. You shaved your beard.” “And you grew one.” I’d grown my hair out, too. The extra length masked a scar running from temple to nape. “My wife likes me better this way,” I said. We took a booth, put in our order, made conversation. Peter told me he’d kept in touch with his sister, closely at first. Then less so. “She has her life, I have mine.” I nodded. “And you?” he asked. “Charlotte must be—­what. Four and a half?” “Good memory. We have a son now, too. Myles.” I s