by Ace Atkins
Part of Spenser, book 19
First published 1993
Two bullets shatter the night outside a housing project, leaving two bodies and no witnesses. Private investigator Spenser takes the case, knowing the streets won't give up their secrets easily. He partners with Hawk, his trusted ally, to navigate the dangerous terrain of urban violence. The investigation pulls them into a world controlled by street gangs and drug dealers who kill without hesitation. Each lead brings new threats as Spenser and Hawk work to identify the shooter. The housing project becomes a battlefield where loyalty is bought with blood and silence is enforced by fear. Spenser must outmaneuver criminals who have turned murder into business while protecting the innocent caught in the crossfire. The case tests not only his detective skills but his ability to survive in a place where justice is a luxury few can afford.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective, action
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, found-family
Setting: Housing Project
272 pages · Paperback · Berkley Pub Group
Content warnings: graphic-violence, murder