The Cove

A picturesque town. A woman on the run. An undercover agent. The first riveting novel in Catherine Coulter's #1 New York Times bestselling FBI Thriller series.

Sally Brainerd can't remember what happened the night her father was murdered. Maybe she did it. Or maybe it was her poor, traumatized mother. Either way, the safest place for her is far away from Washington, D.C.. But while her aunt's home in The Cove should be a quiet refuge, Sally can't shake the feeling that there's something not quite right about the postcard perfect little town.

Despite his target's checkered past and convenient memory loss, FBI Special Agent James Quinlan isn't convinced she's the killer—but maybe she knows who is. As he uses his cover to get close to Sally and unearth the memories her mind has hidden away, James can't deny his connection to the troubled woman. But as their lies and passions intertwine, Sally and James soon learn they aren't the only ones keeping deadly secrets in The Cove...

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Romance Thriller Mystery Crime Fiction Suspense Thriller

Release date: April 1, 1996

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Catherine Coulter

Catherine Coulter’s writing career began with a simple love of stories, and over time, she has become a staple in the world of suspense, thriller, and romance fiction. Born and raised in Texas, her early life was steeped in the wide-open spaces of a horse ranch, an experience that would later shape her rich, evocative storytelling. But it was her academic journey that steered her toward writing; after graduating from the University of Texas and Boston College, Coulter first dipped her toes in the world of words as a speechwriter on Wall Street.

However, it wasn’t long before her passion for storytelling took center stage. Inspired by her love of romance novels, she began crafting her own narratives, with her debut, The Autumn Countess, arriving in 1978. The world quickly took notice of her knack for creating strong characters and engaging plots, and over the years, she found her voice blending romance with rich, intricate mystery and suspense.

Coulter’s career is perhaps best known for the FBI Thriller series, which kicked off with The Cove in 1996. This series, featuring the brilliant and daring FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock, would go on to capture the imaginations of readers worldwide. Mixing suspense with elements of crime, investigation, and the occasional twist of romance, her FBI Thriller books have earned her a loyal following, with each new installment eagerly anticipated by fans.

Her ability to seamlessly weave together multiple genres also led her to a collaboration with J.T. Ellison on the Brit in the FBI series, where espionage and international intrigue bring even more layers to her already varied storytelling. Meanwhile, her Grayson Sherbrooke’s Otherworldly Adventures explored a touch of the supernatural, further demonstrating Coulter's versatility and willingness to explore new realms.

Throughout her prolific career, Catherine Coulter has written more than 90 novels, and her works have been translated into multiple languages, making her an internationally recognized author. Despite her success, she remains as passionate as ever about her craft, often retreating to the Northern California landscape where she lives with her husband, Anton Pogany, and their two cats. A lover of sports, hiking, and books, Coulter continues to draw inspiration from the world around her, crafting stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

What sets Coulter apart is her exceptional ability to create characters who are as complex as the mysteries they unravel. Whether writing about the tension of criminal investigations or the emotional depth of romance, her books are marked by a rare balance of heart and suspense, a combination that has allowed her to remain at the forefront of popular fiction for decades.

An FBI Thriller

Catherine Coulter’s An FBI Thriller series pulls readers deep into a world where danger lurks behind every corner, and the stakes are higher than ever. At the heart of this pulse-pounding series are FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock—partners in both life and crime-solving. As their personal bond intertwines with their professional commitments, the duo navigates a relentless array of complex, high-stakes cases that take them from the heart of Washington, D.C. to the farthest reaches of the country.