Title:	The Maze
	Author:	Nelson DeMille
	Published:	October 11, 2022, Scribner
	No. of Pages:	432
	Cover Price:	$30.00 Hardcover, $14.99 Kindle

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Who knew that an arrogant, selfish, narcissistic detective, John Corey, could be the protagonist of several bestselling novels by Nelson DeMille. The Maze is the latest installment. In this novel, John Corey is called out of retirement from previous jobs as a federal agent with the Diplomatic Surveillance Group. He gets a visit from his former lover, Beth Perose, who has a job offer for him, and since he really isn’t doing anything else, he takes the job. While settling into his new job, Corey suspects that he has been set up by Beth, who is also in law enforcement and is heading a task force to take down the company that Corey is working for.

Corey’s arrogance doesn’t let him think about anything but winning, and DeMille has done an excellent job of developing his character. It is comical, though, and readers will wonder if this novel is actually a spoof. The humor is rampant throughout, and it will occur to readers that it is most likely impossible that a character such as john Corey could be real. Nevertheless, the book is well-written and the story flows. There are strong sexual undertones throughout the novel, so it really isn’t suitable for young readers. John Corey isn’t a character that most of us would like to know in real life, and his sexual escapades reek of a total jerk. The novel, however, has ups and downs, and frankly, the dénouement isn’t much of a surprise. But there is plenty of suspense leading up to the end.

All told, readers who like this type of off-color novel will want to pick it up.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this novel.