When a series of gruesome murders strikes the Washington, D.C. area, each crime scene is marked by chilling accuracy-an ancient altar, rare pre-Columbian relics, and victims sacrificed using methods from long-lost civilizations: Aztec heart extractions, Assyrian flayings, Canaanite fire rites, and obsidian-bladed rituals whispered about in forbidden texts. For D.C. Metro Homicide Detective Isabella "Izzy" Rodriguez, the crimes trigger memories of her own indigenous heritage and a sense that these murders are more than symbolic-they're intentional, part of an intricate ritual to unlock a prophecy buried across time and blood. The FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) anthropologist specializing in the analysis of ritualistic crimes, Dr. Marcus Reed, joins the case and recognizes the patterns as echoes of an ancient prophecy-one that speaks of a "Convergence of Kingdoms" and a "Key of Flesh" that, when assembled correctly, grants godlike power to the one who completes the ritual. The killer calls himself The Profit-a man obsessed with resurrecting the forgotten gods of conquest and chaos. Each sacrifice is more brutal, more precise, and more publicly displayed than the last. As Izzy and Marcus chase the trail of symbols and blood, they realize the murders are not just messages... they are offerings. And the final one may take place beneath the nation's capital itself. Time is running out. The past isn't dead. It's hungry. "The Monuments Must Bleed is hailed as a chilling, cerebral thriller where ancient lore collides with modern crime, anchored by compelling protagonists, meticulous suspense, and a richly layered narrative that grips from the first sacrifice to the final revelation." - - Best Thrillers "The Monuments Must Bleed is a gripping crime thriller from Clifton Wilcox, designed to possess its readers from the first chapter to the final revelations. Taking place in the heart of Washington, D.C., the novel opens with our mysterious serial killer, The Prophet, in the middle of a ritual sacrifice. The mysteries and motivations surrounding The Prophet's murders are investigated by homicide Detective Isabella "Izzy" Rodriguez and Dr. Marcus Reed, an FBI anthropologist with specialties in ancient civilizations and rituals. The duo dives into the underbelly of the city, analyzing ancient lore and mythology in their efforts to corner their killer and keep D.C. safe from a forgotten prophecy." - - Reader Views Dr. Clifton Wilcox is a retired federal employee and college professor. Clifton spends his time writing and traveling with his wife Nargiza and two children, Liyana and Ethan. The Wilcox family splits their time living in Spotsylvania, Virginia, the Dominican Republic, and Kyrgyzstan.