by Archer Mayor
Part of Joe Gunther, book 5
First published 2013
Lieutenant Joe Gunther faces his most personal case when Gail Zigman, the town selectwoman who has been his companion for years, becomes the victim of rape. The detective must navigate pressure from media outlets, local political figures, and victims' rights advocates while struggling to set aside his emotions and pursue the facts. All evidence appears to lead directly to one clear suspect, but Gunther grows suspicious of how perfectly everything fits together. He begins to question whether the case against their suspect is legitimate or if the evidence has been contaminated, making it legally worthless like fruit from a poisonous tree. His relentless investigation puts him at odds with Gail, threatens his standing with fellow officers, and places his own safety in jeopardy as he searches for the truth.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, detective
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Vermont
Period: Contemporary
304 pages · Kindle Edition · MarchMedia
Content warnings: sexual-assault