by Kevin Wade
Part of Jeep Mullane, book 1
First published 2025
Police Chief Jeep Mullane returns to Long Island's North Shore after a devastating NYPD case burned him out. Now he runs a small local department in the same territory where he grew up as a cop's son among the wealthy elite. When the body of Johnny Chambliss washes up in Bayville waters, Jeep faces his past. Johnny was his childhood friend, a privileged golden boy nicknamed "Johnny Careless" for his wild behavior. The investigation pulls Jeep into the world of multigenerational wealth and power that once excluded him. Johnny's secretive family and his mysterious ex-wife challenge Jeep at every turn. As he digs deeper, Jeep uncovers theft, corrupt local moguls, and secrets buried for decades. The case becomes personal as Jeep wrestles with grief for his lost friend while navigating the treacherous social codes of the rich and powerful.
Genres: american-fiction, mystery, crime, adult-fiction, thriller, detective
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, emotional, gritty, introspective, suspenseful
Tropes: class-conflict, fish-out-of-water, past-returns-to-haunt, personal-case
Setting: Long Island, North Shore, Bayville, New York
Period: 21st-century, contemporary
240 pages · Paperback · Celadon Books
Content warnings: death, murder