Red Dragon (1986) by Thomas Harris is a crime novel that follows FBI profiler Will Graham as he comes out of retirement to catch the brutal serial killer known as the Tooth Fairy. The novel introduces the infamous Hannibal Lecter, a psychiatrist and cannibalistic killer, who plays a key role in the story’s plot. Graham, struggling with past trauma from a previous encounter with Lecter, reluctantly seeks his help to catch the new killer, Francis Dolarhyde. Dolarhyde, who suffers from severe psychological issues stemming from childhood abuse, believes he is the embodiment of a "Red Dragon" and commits violent murders inspired by a William Blake painting. The novel explores themes of trauma, psychological unraveling, and the darkness of the human psyche. As Graham delves deeper into the case, he faces personal challenges, including the disintegration of his marriage, and a final confrontation with Dolarhyde. Red Dragon is both a psychological thriller and a profound exploration of evil and redemption.
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