The Death and Birth of Iliana Marek

In the troubled town of Tylor, Florida, Dan Gibson has little reason to expect his life to improve. Haunted by a tragedy from ten years earlier, estranged from his parents, struggling with addiction, and working an unrewarding job, he lives with the consequences of a past he cannot fully remember. Then Iliana Marek unexpectedly takes his side. Iliana is no ordinary protector. Closely connected to the town’s powerful police chief, she has been known as an intimidating figure who helps maintain control through fear. Yet something about her has changed. Her actions suggest a new purpose, and the nature of her transformation raises unsettling questions about what she has become. As violence spreads and dangerous people begin to die, Dan is forced to investigate his connection to the death of Faye Kristic. He must also confront the mystery surrounding Iliana and discover why she has turned from an instrument of intimidation into his unlikely defender. David Liss combines crime-thriller momentum with speculative ideas and dark humor. The novel explores memory, guilt, corruption, identity, technology, and the uncertain boundary between human and nonhuman existence. Its Florida setting provides a backdrop for a story about power, accountability, and the possibility of change. The Death and Birth of Iliana Marek is suited to readers who enjoy unconventional thrillers, crime fiction with speculative elements, dark satire, and stories that combine suspense with questions about human nature and technological transformation.