Private investigators Liz Talbot and Nate Andrews thought they’d put Darius Baker’s troubles to rest—then his recently discovered son ropes him into a hemp farm investment with his college buddies. When a beloved Charleston professor—and potential investor—is murdered, Liz and Nate discover Darius keeps the PIs on speed dial.

A shocking number of people had reasons to want the genteel, bowtie wearing, tea-drinking professor dead. Was it one of his many girlfriends or a disgruntled student? Or perhaps Murray was killed because his failure to invest meant the hemp farm trio’s dreams were going up in smoke?

Though Liz’s long-dead best friend, Colleen, warns her the stakes are far higher than Liz imagines, she is hellbent on finding the no-good killer among the bevy of suspects. But will the price of justice be more than Liz can bear?

The Stranger is a mesmerizing fantasy epic that has captivated millions of readers. This novel marks the debut of Max Frei, a Russian literary sensation, now presented in English for the first time. The story is a delightful blend of fantasy, horror, philosophy, and dark comedy, all intertwined with a sharp wit and a web of intriguing clues.

The protagonist, Max Frei, is initially a twenty-something "loser"—a big sleeper during the day and an insomniac at night, an avid smoker, and a gluttonous loafer. But his life takes a thrilling turn when he discovers a parallel world in his dreams, where magic is an everyday occurrence.

In this new world, Max transforms from a social outcast to the "unequalled Sir Max," a prominent member of the Department of Absolute Order. This organization, composed of enchanted secret agents, tasks Max with solving the most extravagant and surreal cases imaginable. Join Max as he embarks on a sensational journey through the winding paths of this strange and unhinged universe.