Part of Butch Karp, book 13
First published 2002
New York erupts after police shoot a black man multiple times in the back. Chief assistant district attorney Butch Karp finds himself managing three explosive cases during a charged election year. A police golden boy stands accused of the shooting while politicians pressure Karp to consider votes over justice. Meanwhile, a mentally impaired young man faces execution for killing a Jewish diamond merchant, and a serial killer targets the homeless on city streets. The political machine demands favorable outcomes regardless of evidence. Karp's personal life crumbles as his wife Marlene spends her internet fortune on shopping binges and drinking while their daughter Lucy skips school to help the homeless near the killer's hunting ground. Corruption and conspiracy threaten to silence anyone seeking truth. Karp must navigate a system designed to protect the powerful while three cases push the city toward chaos. His family moves closer to danger as he fights to deliver justice in a world where politics matter more than facts.
Genres: mystery, crime, political-thriller, legal-thriller
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: corruption, enemies-to-lovers, political-intrigue
Setting: New York
Period: Contemporary
516 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Pocket Star
Content warnings: racism, violence