The Contortionist

A AI, Brenda Blacke

Summary

Dr. Brenda Blacke traded the Olympic rings for a stethoscope, burying the phantom pain of a shattered gymnastics career beneath her white coat.  Now a sports medicine physician, she specializes in pushing the human body to its limits – safely.  But the brutal murder of CrossFit phenom Regina Knox throws Brenda back into the cutthroat world of elite athletics, a world she both understands and resents. Regina isn't just dead; she's grotesquely contorted, a horrifying parody of the sport's demanding postures.  And near the body, a single, chilling clue: a chalk handprint, identical to Brenda’s own.The chalk handprint becomes a calling card as more athletes meet similarly twisted fates, each death mirroring a signature CrossFit movement. The killer isn't just strong; they possess an intimate knowledge of anatomy, exploiting the vulnerabilities of each pose with surgical precision.  Brenda’s medical expertise makes her an invaluable asset to the investigation, but it also paints a target on her back.  Are her own cutting-edge rehabilitation techniques inspiring these macabre displays?  The thought gnaws at her conscience as the body count climbs.Partnered with the pragmatic Detective Craig Reynolds, Brenda plunges into the high-stakes world of CrossFit, a subculture obsessed with pushing boundaries. Charismatic coaches, ruthless supplement CEOs, and athletes driven by desperation all become suspects in a pressure cooker of secrets and rivalries. But the killer isn’t just targeting individuals; they’re dismantling a system, exposing the rot beneath the veneer of strength and athleticism.As the killer’s focus shifts to Brenda, leaving cryptic clues that hint at a shared past, the investigation becomes intensely personal.  She’s forced into a terrifying game of cat and mouse, culminating in a deadly CrossFit competition – a gauntlet designed to test her physical and psychological limits. Brenda must confront her own demons, the seductive allure of pushing the human body to its breaking point, and the devastating consequences of unchecked ambition.In a heart-stopping climax, the killer's identity is revealed, shattering Brenda’s world and exposing a deeply personal vendetta.  She must choose between justice and survival in a final, brutal confrontation that will leave her forever changed.  This isn’t just a murder mystery; it’s a psychological thriller that delves into the dark side of human potential, exploring the fragile line between healing and harm, and the devastating consequences of obsession.

Available since: 11/06/2024.

Print length: 421 pages.

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