The Nerve

By Lawrence De Maria

A woman scientist and her team are close to discovering a cure for many diseases -- until all but her are murdered Enter Jake Scarne. He is determined to keep Dr. Lena Caldwell alive. It won't be easy. An assassin has been hired by an unholy cabal of medical bigwigs, worried about their profits, who want her research stopped. Scarne usually gets the job done, but his track record in keeping women safe is spotty. But he has an unlikely ally in someone who has lost a beloved relative to a disease Dr. Lena Caldwell can cure

THE CRITICS HAVE SPOKEN

"IF YOU LIKE HARD-BOILED ACTION, MEMORABLE VILLAINS AND TWISTY PLOTS, THE JAKE SCARNE THRILLERS NEVER DISAPPOINT " (John Crudele, New York Post); "A STEAMROLLER OF ACTION AND CALCULATION ... NOTABLE FOR SNAPPY DIALOGUE, ENGAGING DESCRIPTIONS OF HOW TO WORK AN INVESTIGATION, BOLDLY DRAWN CHARACTERS AND VIVID SETTINGS. A LAWRENCE DE MARIA TITLE GIVES YOU MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK THAN JUST ABOUT ANYTHING IN THE BOOK MARKETPLACE TODAY." (Florida Weekly); "A MASTER OF THRILLER DIALOGUE." (Washington Independent Review of Books); "WHILE DE MARIA MAY HAVE BEEN AN AWARD-WINNING FINANCIAL REPORTER, HE'S AN AWFULLY GOOD FICTION WRITER AS WELL." (Naples Daily News)

INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM

GREAT BRITAIN
THE END OF US (Cole Sudden Thriller): "Great bunch of characters and fast paced. Enjoyable."
HOPE (Jake Scarne Thriller): "Another brilliant read in an ever-increasing catalogue of great stories."
SISTER (Alton Rhode Mystery): "Brilliant characters, a terrific storyline and would recommend this author without any misgivings. Kept me enthralled from beginning to the end."

GERMANY
ALAS, PARIS (Thriller): "I have read many of De Maria's books, and find them unfailingly entertaining. Engaging dialogue, venues with enough descriptive detail to interest experienced travelers, scenes played out with gastronomic expertise, all while partnering with attractive and attentive characters of both sexes. And finally, for me, the writing in Chapter 14 was perfection.

INDIA
THE VIRON CONSPIRACY (Jake Scarne Thriller): If you enjoy conspiracy theories, this is the book for you. Well written plot and characters, fast paced, detailed mystery.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0G5PMNZVG
• ISBN13: 9798276684215
• Release Date: December 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 162 Pages
• Weight: 0.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.0" x 8.0"