A mystery thriller from USA Today Bestselling Author, P.D. Workman that will keep you turning the pages!

Operating in the Dark

When Private Investigator Zachary Goldman is hired to investigate the death of an old friend’s daughter, what should have been a routine case becomes something much more sinister.

Kristin had secrets, things she didn’t share with her mother, and it’s up to Zachary to put together the clues to find out what was going on in her life. And those clues lead in unexpected directions. Did Kristin know the risks she was taking?

But as Zachary digs deeper, he discovers powerful forces at work who would prefer that the truth remains hidden.

For readers who love thrilling murder mysteries with complex twists and turns, this gripping novel is sure to keep you guessing until the very end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I was hooked from page one when I started this book. I lost some sleep, but staying up late to finish this book was unavoidable. I had to know how it ended.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This story will tug at your heart as Zachary, at great peril to himself, obstinately takes on ‘Big Pharma’ with an investigation into the potential contributing factors leading to the tragic death of teenage girl, the daughter of one of Zachary’s few friends from his troubled youth.

Zachary Goldman, Private Investigator, is flawed with a capital F. Shattered by the tragedies of his own life, he will somehow still manage to pick himself up and dig just a little bit deeper than anyone else to piece together the vital clues and solve the mystery.

Maybe being broken makes it easier for others who have faced tragedy to trust him. Walk with Zachary as he solves cases that will stretch his abilities to the limit.

Even with his own life in shambles, Zachary Goldman is still the one you want on the case.

Looking for a thriller that will keep you up all night and stay with you long after the last page?

Investigate this P.I. Mystery now!

— an amazing and suspenseful story. It carries you away into a psychological tailspin that keeps you going in so many different directions.

— A really good piece of detective fiction with some novel and original features which keep the reader guessing until the last few pages.

— I love the way the investigation plays out…very interesting.  That is done very well. It held my interest. I very much wanted to find out the outcome…

— Very well written. [Zachary] is flawed with a capital F … In spite of his problems, he is a very sympathetic character and doggedly pursues the truth.

— [She Wore Mourning] made for a pleasant read while presenting an interesting story.

— What a great story. Fabulous plot with interesting and complex characters. I was totally involved into the wee hours. Many twists and left waiting until the end. Highly recommended

— Wow! I just finished it. In one day! I could not stop reading it! This book grabs hold of you from the start. It’s a very well written detective novel. It pulls you not the story and is very emotional. You feel for the characters. This is the first novel I have read by this author but it will not be my last. I highly recommend this book.

Author Notes may contain spoilers!

The genesis of She Was Their Target came from a couple of different sources. The first was the sudden popularity of a weight-loss drug (actually a diabetes medication) being touted on TikTok and other social media. It was being used for weight loss by a number of celebrities, with great apparent success, and was becoming very popular among one of the main audiences of TikTok, teenagers who were desperate too change their image. There were hashtags, social media challenges, blackmarket drugs, counterfeit drugs, and more. Those giving and taking social media challenges seemed to have no idea about the risks of taking this powerful medication, or if they knew the risks, weight loss was a more important issue than health and life.

In creating my own fictional drug for use in this story, I looked into drugs, especially weight-loss drugs, that had previously been approved—sometimes with great speed—and then banned because of deaths or dangers that had not been revealed (or were buried) in the original drug trials and approval process. There was no shortage of examples. Reading through some of the infamous cases, I assumed that the processes that had allowed these drugs to get through rigorous testing and approval processes in the past had since been tightened up and the same thing could not happen again. Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the case. It would seem that companies that put profit over patient health and safety will always be able to find their way around the regulation processes. As with many other laws, the honest and public-minded submit to regulation, while the criminal element will find their way around the laws, no matter how much they are tightened or enforced.

As you enjoy reading She Was Their Target, keep in mind that not only is it possible… it has already happened.

Book Club Resources may contain spoilers

• Pinterest Board: Mental Illness
• AP IMPACT: Ugly US medical experiments uncovered
• History, status, and politicization of the FDA
• Kids help scientists by taking part in medical trials
• Merck Manipulated the Science about the Drug Vioxx
• Timeline: The Rise and Fall of Vioxx
• Whistleblowers reveal FDA exacerbated Vioxx scandal
• Withdrawn painkiller returns aiming to fight opioid crisis
• A ‘miracle’ obesity cure, or dangerous TikTok trend adored by Hollywood?
• New GLP-1 weight loss drugs are about to ship to more American homes
• Patients who can’t get weight-loss drugs are turning to risky sources
• Anti-obesity Drugs Market Size to Grow by USD 454.51 million
• Big Pharma targets $50bn obesity drugs market as demand booms

“Every single one of [P.D. Workman’s] books has spoken to me … And I have found strength in the books I’ve read.”

“This is one author I certainly will be looking out for, I can’t recommend her enough.”

“I’ll read anything by P. D. Workman that I can get my hands on.”

“Every book by PD Workman that I’ve read has been a gripping one, however different the genres are, going from lighter mysteries to really dark ones… this is one of my favourite, most dependable authors.”

“P.D. Workman is an incredibly versatile writer. No matter which of her books I read I am drawn into a great story and honestly, I don’t think I’ve followed another author that could go from cozy mystery to YA to a PI series dealing with mental health issues. Really enjoy her books!”

“[P.D. Workman’s] stories are so believable and you can’t help but feel like you know these people. You find yourself crying, laughing and feeling the characters emotions. Now if an author can make you cry and feel every emotion in a story, she is one hell of an author.”

“P. D. Workman, does not shy from probing the deep psychological scars of childhood trauma, mental illness, and addiction. Also characteristic of this author, these extremely sensitive issues are explored with extensive empathy, described with incredible clarity, and portrayed with profound insight.”

“Once again P.D.Workman has created an intense psychological mystery that impacts a wallop of thought induction. The writing is so well developed and draws you into the characters story.”