At Apartment 18A, Shaw’s partner briefs him. The woman inside called 911 to report a break-in—and the murder of her husband. She fired a round at first responders, then made a baffling demand. Nobody comes in but Detective Declan Shaw. The woman answers, covered in blood. She appears to be in shock. A body is lying dead on the floor of the luxurious living room. Shaw walks in and spots floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with hardcover books. He recognizes the name—bestselling true-crime author Denise Morrow. When he looks closer, he sees they all show the same familiar picture on the back. “This is you?” Shaw asks. “You’re a writer?”