Christopher (Chris) Flory was raised in Indiana and now lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and dog Shadow. He spent ten years with various correctional departments as a probation and parole officer, specializing in the supervision of sexually based offenders and criminal street gang members. He is currently employed as a contractor for the federal government as an intelligence analyst. Chris has been featured in academic journals and professional conference papers while attending undergraduate (BA Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne 00') and graduate school (MA Purdue University 15'). Chris enjoys spending time with his family, baking and outdoor activities. Connect with Chris online at Christopherflorybooks.com.

"Sure to engross fans of Connelly, Patterson, and Coben.” – Dave Edlund, USA Today best-selling author of the Peter Savage novels.

Paul Dodge is ready to return to his normal job as a Parole Agent in Virginia after a much-needed—and not very restful—personal hiatus. When a local street woman is found dead, he's assigned to work the case despite his personal objections.

Now working a case outside of his normal expertise with a new team and a boss he isn't sure he can trust, Dodge tries to make the best of the bad situation. The sooner the case is closed the sooner he can get back to his parole work rather than poking his nose into the life of a serial killer.

With the killer growing in confidence and an old flame back in town, Dodge's personal and professional lives get tested and tangled. When accusations fly and tensions rise, time is running out for Dodge to find justice for the victims and stop a psychopath before the body count rises again.

Don't Miss the other books in the Paul Dodge series:

Trust Misplaced

Last Rays of Daylight

While they are a series, the Paul Dodge novels can be read and enjoyed in any order.

Releasing Summer 2023. Pre-Order Now!

Awards, Reviews, and Coverage

"A gritty, realistic thriller that takes readers into some of the darker alleys of human nature – but with lots of heart and intelligence. ... with Lee Child-style pacing and Harlan Coben-like twists." —James Lilliefors, author of the Amy Hunter novels The Psalmist and The Tempest

“A solid, clever thriller with twists to spare.” —Steven Tingle, author of Graveyard Fields

“Flory has written a heart-pounding police procedural: fast-paced, gritty, dripping with authenticity—and blood." —Eric Redman, International Thriller Writers award finalist for Bones of Hilo

"Sure to engross fans of Connelly, Patterson, and Coben.” – Dave Edlund, USA Today best-selling author of the Peter Savage novels.

In the wake of a hurricane, a young girl is found dead in a shipping container in St. Thomas. Short-handed with agents and residents picking up the pieces after the storm, the FBI calls in Paul Dodge, who was taking an all-too-rare vacation in the sun and sand. 

The case quickly escalates and lands the agent in a world of gangs, drugs, and human trafficking. Dodge will need to rely on his years of training and military skills if he is to survive the coming showdown and find justice for the victim.

PRAISE FOR CHRISTOPHER FLORY AND THE PAUL DODGE NOVELS:

“Flory delivers a strong and complex crime thriller speckled with sharp action, salty dialog, and deep character development... Sure to engross fans of Connelly, Patterson, and Coben.” – Dave Edlund, USA Today best-selling author of the Peter Savage novels.

"Highly recommended, especially for lovers of police procedurals." –Nancy Boyarsky, Award-winning author of the Nicole Graves novels

"Kudos to Christopher Flory. The writing is crisp, no-nonsense, the reader is captive..." –Nancy Nau Sullivan, author of the Blanche Murninghan Mysteries

Don't Miss the first book in the Paul Dodge series:

Trust Misplaced

While they are a series, the Paul Dodge novels can be read and enjoyed in any order.

Awards, Reviews, and Coverage

"An entertaining, thought-provoking story with classic characters presented in a unique way that demonstrate the best and worst of the human race." —The Big Thrill

“Flory delivers a strong and complex crime thriller speckled with sharp action, salty dialog, and deep character development. Trust Misplaced moves at a steady pace, and weaves subplots into a complex tapestry that is sure to engross fans of Connelly, Patterson, and Coben.”

– Dave Edlund, USA Today best-selling author of the Peter Savage novels.

Paul Dodge is no stranger to the dark side of crime. As a parole agent and a member of the local Sex Crimes Task Force, he knows what depravity lies in the shadows. But when an investigation into a local sexual predator leads him to a photo of a judge’s daughter and another young girl ends up dead, Dodge quickly realizes he doesn’t know who to trust.

In the most dangerous case of his career, Dodge races to detangle a growing web of lies and corruption. His life and career are both on the line in this high-stakes case, and a single misstep could end them both.

Awards, Reviews, and Coverage

"Christopher Flory’s first detective crime novel, Trust Misplaced, is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat with its fast-moving action and richly conceived characters. ... Highly recommended, especially for lovers of police procedurals." —Nancy Boyarsky, Award winning author of the Nicole Graves series

"Paul Dodge is a great character and the plots are twists and turns that will keep you wanting more!" —Nancy Wakeley, author of the Kate Tyler mystery series

"Kudos to Christopher Flory. The writing is crisp, no-nonsense—the reader is captive in this debut novel." —Nancy Nau Sullivan, author of the Blanche Murninghan Mysteries