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Available for preorders Release date 4/1/2025

       The Vulnerable

She’s missing! He's ruined. Secrets sizzle. Wildfires rage!

In a world teetering on the brink, where climate change fuels devastating wildfires and a global pandemic erupts, The Vulnerable plunges into the heart of interconnected lives, revealing a tapestry of crime, secrets, and suspense.

Dan DeCosta's life implodes after he falls for Robin O'Rourke, the fiery redhead stalked by her violent ex and thrusting Dan into a terrifying ordeal with the law, financial ruin, and fighting for his life.

Dan's father, Dick DeCosta, a renowned climate activist targeted by extremist groups, had relocated to Florida to escape their wrath. But Dick is forced to return to Boston, embarking on a frantic race against time to rescue his son while his wife becomes ill, and his daughter flees wildfires. Long-held family secrets threaten to erupt, testing the limits of loyalty and love.

The Vulnerable explores themes of love, loss, and betrayal against a backdrop of worldwide crisis. From the blizzards of Massachusetts and the burning California landscapes to the sun-drenched shores of Florida, a relentless pursuit of justice and survival from escalating global and personal threats unfolds.

Will these vulnerable individuals find strength in each other and survive the perils thrust upon them? The answers lie within the pages of this gripping and unforgettable thriller.

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Through the eyes of its vulnerable characters, this page-turner pays homage to the gritty people of Lowell, MA, a mill town rich in industrial history, with movie stars, famous writers, and prize fighters, and Fort Myers, FL, glowing with its al fresco dining, eclectic nightlife, sensational sunsets, and sugar-white sandy beaches.

Praise for The Vulnerable

“In The Vulnerable, Ed DeJesus crafts a suspense thriller that masterfully intertwines themes of domestic violence, societal scrutiny, and the acts of violence perpetrated by and against vulnerable individuals. The character development is one of DeJesus's strongest skills. The Vulnerable is compelling and incisive, deftly balancing elements of suspense with compelling social commentary. DeJesus highlights the fragility of life, the impact of violence, and the complexity of human relationships with a keen narrative! You won’t be able to put down this emotionally rich narrative. A five-star review!  —The Book Commentary

"A harrowing, thought-provoking, and utterly absorbing read… In DeJesus’s high-stakes thriller, domestic terrorism collides with family wounds, and past choices turn deadly. The novel tackles urgent issues, including climate change, societal shifts caused by the pandemic, and opioid addiction, while staying firmly rooted in its thriller genre. Paced with precision and laced with brutal twists, this is a thriller that stays with you well beyond the final page."    — Prairies Book Review.

"Ed DeJesus’ The Vulnerable is a suspense thriller ... that balances high-stakes action with intimate emotional struggles, making for a gripping read.  What I loved most about The Vulnerable was its social commentary. It’s not just a thriller; it’s a book that forces you to think. The novel touches on issues like climate change, political extremism, opioid addiction, and even corporate corruption. The Vulnerable is a strong debut that delivers both suspense and substance. It’s a great pick for readers who enjoy thrillers with multiple viewpoints, morally gray characters, and a plot that mirrors real-world issues. If you like books that keep you guessing while also making you reflect on society’s biggest issues, this one’s for you."  — Literary Titan.

“A fascinating story of crime amid the complexity of human emotion. Pulling us into three different locales, the author paints a memorable picture of treacherous secrets and the deep sea of lies that conceal them. Packed with high octane tension, The Vulnerable is a must-read for thriller lovers.” — Lisa Towles, Amazon Bestselling author of Terror Bay.

“With The Vulnerable, Ed DeJesus has executed a layered, complex, and highly entertaining debut thriller. Crime, domestic terror, family wounds, romance, the pandemic, climate change—it's all here. Moving fluidly (at times breathtakingly) between Massachusetts, Florida, and California wildfires, the story crackles with energy, sharply drawn characters, and an unflinching vision of a world in which we are all vulnerable."    — David Daniel, prizewinning author of the Alex Rasmussen Lowell Detective Series and Beach Town.

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Ed DeJesus (pronounced D Geezus) joined Indies United Publishing in January 2025. His thriller novel, The Vulnerable, debuts in April 2025. His award-winning short story, From Darkness into Light: Thankful Tonight, which first appeared in Voices from Lowell & Beyond, will join other "Small Bites" contest winners in Indies United 2025 Anthology and sample his forthcoming memoir collection, Simpler Times in The Spindle City.

A technopreneur, he was President of Sightline Solar, CEO of JustZip.com, and VP of Engineering for MSL. Previously, his pioneering work at Digital Equipment Corp was published in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Design Automation journals. He served in the US Army Reserves and opened a record store with his wife in the vinyl era.

Born in Lowell, MA, he raised his family in Chelmsford, MA, and resides in Fort Myers, FL, where he weathered multiple category-four hurricanes. When Ed’s not immersed in his writing or at the gym, he finds joy in reading, dancing, singing Karaoke, and traveling the world with his wife and children, who reside in New Hampshire and Sydney, Australia.

A member of The Gulf Coast Writers Association and contributor to the Richardhowe.com blog, his education includes Computer Science from Boston University and Creative Writing from UMass Lowell.

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