"Hannibal" is a novel written by Thomas Harris, published in 1999. It is the third book in the series featuring the character Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer. The novel follows the events after the second book, "The Silence of the Lambs." In "Hannibal," the titular character, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, is living in Florence under an assumed identity, but his past catches up with him when a surviving victim of one of his earlier attacks, Mason Verger, seeks revenge. Verger, a wealthy and disfigured former patient of Lecter's, enlists the help of corrupt Justice Department officials to capture Lecter. Meanwhile, Clarice Starling, the FBI agent who had a complex relationship with Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs," is under scrutiny for her handling of a botched drug raid. Despite being under investigation, Starling becomes involved in the hunt for Lecter, both to capture him and to protect him from Verger's brutal intentions. The novel explores themes of obsession, revenge, and the blurred lines between good and evil. It also delves into Lecter's complex psychology and his disturbing yet intriguing relationship with Starling. "Hannibal" received mixed reviews upon its release, with some praising Harris's intricate plotting and character development, while others criticized its graphic violence and controversial ending. Nevertheless, it remains a significant work in the thriller genre and has been adapted into a film and a television series.
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