The Cornerstone
A Historical Conspiracy Thriller
Available Now
Some secrets were never meant to be uncovered.
Detective Brian Howard has investigated plenty of crime during his years with the Brookhaven Police Department in the small Louisiana town—but nothing prepares him for the killing inside the historic Reveldome Museum.
A security guard is found strangled, yet nothing appears to have been stolen.
As Howard follows a trail of cryptic clues, hidden symbols, and forgotten documents, what begins as a routine homicide investigation becomes something far more dangerous. The evidence points to a centuries-old conspiracy tied to America's founding—a secret powerful enough to rewrite history itself.
Joined by an unexpected partner, whose knowledge of early American history proves invaluable, Howard races from the quiet streets of Louisiana to the monuments and corridors of Washington, D.C., uncovering secret societies, buried betrayals, and a mystery surrounding the long-lost cornerstone of the United States Capitol.
But someone has spent generations protecting the truth. And they'll kill again to keep it hidden.
As the conspiracy closes in, Brian must confront the unanswered questions surrounding his own family's past before history—and everyone he cares about—is buried forever.
Written by a veteran police officer, The Cornerstone delivers authentic police procedure, historical intrigue, relentless suspense, and a conspiracy that reaches to the very foundations of America.
Some secrets were never meant to be uncovered.
Detective Brian Howard has investigated plenty of crime during his years with the Brookhaven Police Department in the small Louisiana town—but nothing prepares him for the killing inside the historic Reveldome Museum.
A security guard is found strangled, yet nothing appears to have been stolen.
As Howard follows a trail of cryptic clues, hidden symbols, and forgotten documents, what begins as a routine homicide investigation becomes something far more dangerous. The evidence points to a centuries-old conspiracy tied to America's founding—a secret powerful enough to rewrite history itself.
Joined by an unexpected partner, whose knowledge of early American history proves invaluable, Howard races from the quiet streets of Louisiana to the monuments and corridors of Washington, D.C., uncovering secret societies, buried betrayals, and a mystery surrounding the long-lost cornerstone of the United States Capitol.
But someone has spent generations protecting the truth. And they'll kill again to keep it hidden.
As the conspiracy closes in, Brian must confront the unanswered questions surrounding his own family's past before history—and everyone he cares about—is buried forever.
Written by a veteran police officer, The Cornerstone delivers authentic police procedure, historical intrigue, relentless suspense, and a conspiracy that reaches to the very foundations of America.
“A debut that weaves history into the present-a centuries-old secret worth killing for. Lowder writes like a cop who knows his way around a crime scene.”
— Andrew Bridgeman, internationally published author of the Emma Noble FBI series
“The Cornerstone is a thrilling, fast-paced tale that masterfully weaves high-stakes conspiracy with heart-pounding action. ”
— Kate Buckner, librarian, Elk Rapids District Library
Josh Lowder is the author of the historical conspiracy thriller, The Cornerstone. As a former police officer and current fraud investigator in financial crimes, he blends his experience in criminal investigations and passion for history into crafting gripping, real-life narratives.
Born and raised outside of Nashville, Tennessee, Josh earned his bachelor's degree from Union University before spending several years residing in South Louisiana where the landscape, history, and culture left a lasting impression on his writing. Josh has since settled back in Tennessee with his wife and daughter, and their dog Jax, where he continues to pursue his love of storytelling. When he is not writing he can be found watching history documentaries, hiking the many trails scattered throughout Tennessee, or playing fetch with Jax.