Anthony E. Zuiker’s Dark Prophecy, the second book to feature Steve Dark, a skilled forensicist who hunts the most dangerous types of serial killers, hits stores on October 14th, but you can get an introduction to Dark’s chilling nemesis, The Tarot Card Killer, here, as well as read a brief exclusive excerpt from the book. First, a word from the killer:

Hello from the gutters of AMERICA which are filled with the blood, sweat and tears of its loyal citizens. Hello from the cracks in the sidewalks of AMERICA and from the ants that dwell in these cracks and feed in the dried up dreams that have settled into them.

It is now clear that Capitalism and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race. They have destabilized society, have made life unfulfilling; have subjected human beings to indignities, have led to widespread suffering. We want a revolution to overthrow, not Governments, but the economic basis of our society—The Capitalist System.

You have in your possession the 5IVE of PENTACLES. It is one of 10 cards that I have sent to others. Your comrades in the coming revolution. Find them and share your information.

Yours, TCK

And below is an exclusive brief except from Dark Prophecy:

39.745833, -75.546667

Delaware

Too much, too little. That was _____________’s life.

Like tonight—a unit of sick kids filled to capacity, and three of her nurses calling out sick. If it were up to ____________ she’d fire them all. This wasn’t the first time. But there was still a severe nursing shortage, and replacing these three meant __________ might be stuck with three newbies with poorer training and an even bigger sense of entitlement. That was the real problem: the next generation, the twenty-somethings. Indulged by their parents, given nothing but treats and straight A’s despite their actual performance, and with this strange idea in their heads that they should all be paid outrageous salaries for barely adequate work. Worse yet, they would hold out for better paying positions, even if it meant not working for six months to a year. Why not? Mom and Dad would still take care of them at home.

__________ knew the story firsthand—her own daughter was a nurse. She hadn’t worked in a year.

Check out this page for a clue as to where this passage is set, and let us know: do you think the mystery character is a witness, a potential victim… or the killer? Log in or register at TalkCSI to post your thoughts! You can pre-order Dark Prophecy at Level26.com, and can also get a glimpse of one of the cyberbridges here. Check back soon for a CSI Files exclusive interview with Zuiker about Dark Prophecy, his return to CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Sqweegel’s appearance on CSI the day Dark Prophecy hits stores!

Zuiker chose to return to the flagship series because that’s where it all began. “The main reason I went back to CSI is to write with my partner in crime [showrunner] Carol Mendelsohn,” he told Deadline Hollywood. “Over the first five seasons, we’ve written many, many scripts together. We have so much fun writing the show. And when I went off to develop, I really missed the day-to-day action of writing episodic television. I’m still developing this season, but wanted write with Carol again. Her and I create magic when we write together.”

Another reason Zuiker wanted to dive back into the original CSI was the Las Vegas setting. “I’ve been in Vegas for 42 years,” he explained. “The town has evolved so much. There’s just so much to write about when it comes to the 2010 Vegas.”

“Being back in the writers room is a real treat,” Zuiker said. “It’s like I never left. Some old faces. Some new. Carol and I are working on all of the scripts together. One of them is about a ‘forensic proof killer’. The villain called ‘Sqweegel’ is from my best-selling novel Level 26: Dark Origins. It’s the first time in history that a villain from a novel has appeared on national television by the same creator, a literary/broadcast cross-over if you will. It stars Ann-Margret and is scary as hell.” As CSI Files previously reported, the episode featuring black Sqweegel will air on October 14.

Zuiker is also glad to be working with the CSI cast again, especially newcomer Laurence Fishburne (Dr Ray Langston). “I think the addition of Laurence Fishburne was a fantastic choice,” he shared. “I really wanted to write for him along with Marg [Helgenberger, Catherine Willows], George [Eads, Nick Stokes], Paul [Guilfoyle, Jim Brass], and Eric [Szmanda, Greg Sanders].” Regarding the news that Helgenberger would be leaving CSI after season eleven, Zuiker said, “Marg Helgenberger is one of the finest actresses in the world. We hope she never leaves the show. She is the heart and soul of the franchise.”

Overall, Zuiker said CSI fans are in for an “explosive” eleventh season. “Justin Bieber stars in the premiere. We have a shark in a pool. A day club gone wild. We’re doing an episode about a vampire and werewolf convention,” he revealed. “The shows are going to be fun, Vegas-centric, and very character-driven.”

Source: Deadline Hollywood. Thanks to speedystokesgirl from TalkCSI for the link!