The Progeny

March 14, 2016
Bestselling Tosca Lee (Iscariot) tosses readers into a bizarre tale of ancient secrets, underground networks, and life-or-death chases that, for some readers, will be irresistible and for others confusing and strange. Emily Porter wakes up in a tiny Maine cabin after receiving surgery to erase her memory, only to discover that the memories she erased have come back to haunt her in impossible ways. She has no idea why her life is in danger or whom to trust. As Audra—her real name—flees the cabin and finally the U.S. to Eastern Europe, the mysteries deepen and the killers become more ruthless. Can she really be tied to centuries-old cabals working at cross purposes to protect and destroy her—and the secrets she holds but can’t remember? Be prepared for riddles, enigmas, and puzzles that will keep readers mystified and, ultimately, satisfied. This novel will find purchase in general-market bookstores and draw Lee’s fans in the Christian market too. Agency: Dan Raines and Meredith Smith, Creative Trust Ventures

April 1, 2016

Erasing your memory does not erase your past. When Emily wakes up in a sleepy town in Maine to discover that her memory has been intentionally destroyed, she quickly rejects the fresh start her old self had sought and begins piecing together a bloody past. Weaving an elaborate web of questionable relationships, fake identities, and historical revelations, best-selling author Lee (The Legend of Sheba) explores the story of Elizabeth Bathory (1560-1614). Known as the "Blood Countess," Bathory has been labeled the most prolific female serial killer in history. Lee's novel introduces a world in which Bathory's descendants have been hunted for the past 400 hundred years owing to their ancestor's blood thirst. Emily discovers her true identity and a dark secret that she must fight tirelessly to protect, all while struggling to escape those determined to destroy her and any family she has left. VERDICT This complex thriller with various turns and twists sets the stage for future novels in the series. A great choice for readers who enjoy their psychological thrillers with a historical twist.--Chelsie Harris, San Diego Cty. Lib.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2016
In this suspenseful series opener, Lee brings the tale of infamous sixteenth-century serial-killer Elizabeth Bathory into the present day with a secret war between descendants. The Scions, descendants of Bathory's victims, seek retribution through the centuries by eradicating her female Progeny, who are marked by uncanny powers of beauty and persuasion. Emily Jacobs is one such Progeny, hiding under a new identity with her memory wiped (in this near future, the Center for Memory Research can erase identities). Despite her remote location, Emily is found by men who swear to protect her, but one is a Scion who will kill her as soon as he learns her secrets. To defend herself, Emily will have to investigate her past, even if that means relearning a secret so dangerous that she had it erased. Though the story hinges on a memory wipe that is pure plot contrivance, it's easy enough to accept amid such a whirlwind of sudden about-faces, nonstop action, and star-crossed romance. This is an entertaining conspiracy thriller for readers of Dan Brown and Ted Dekker.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)