For Thomas Harris fans, “Cari Mora” is a welcome return for the author.

Even if it’s not a Hannibal Lecter book.

Harris wrote the novels “Red Dragon,” “The Silence of the Lambs,” “Hannibal” and “Hannibal Rising” – all books featuring the intellectual cannibal killer Hannibal Lecter, a monster in the first two books who became, oddly, the hero of the last two novels.

But before Lecter, Harris wrote the novel “Black Sunday,” about an assassination attempt during the Super Bowl. So, he can write about subjects other than Hannibal and do it well, though it’s been nearly 45 years since “Black Sunday.” 

It’s been 13 years since the publication of his last novel, “Hannibal Rising,” about Lecter’s horrific childhood and youth.

“Cari Mora” is the name of a young woman who also suffered greatly as a child. She has a shaky immigration status living in Miami, watching a property that once belonged to a crime lord. A place where millions of dollars of gold is hidden.

The gold attracts criminals and monsters, especially one ruthless man whose pursuits include torture, the harvesting of human organs and human trafficking. One of his associates even dabbles in a bit of cannibalism; the associate is not Lecter but Harris apparently can’t leave cannibalism alone.

While the book contains the grisly touches one would expect from the author of “The Silence of the Lambs,” “Cari Mora” reads more like the crime capers of the late Elmore Leonard with plenty of likable criminals … but the despicable fiends one expects from Harris.

It’s a welcome return and a welcome change of pace from Harris. A quickly paced thriller just in time for summer beach reading … though readers may want to avoid the water after reading this novel.