by Jay Brandon
First published 1995
Jordan Marshall accepts what seems like a straightforward defense case. A young man stands accused of killing his closest friend. Marshall expects to navigate familiar legal territory. Instead, he uncovers evidence that someone has deliberately framed his client. The deeper Marshall digs, the more resistance he encounters. The prosecution stonewalls. Witnesses clam up. Community members turn hostile. Marshall realizes he faces more than a murder case. He must battle an entire town determined to hide the real story. Every person Marshall questions seems invested in maintaining the lie. His client's freedom depends on Marshall's willingness to challenge not just the charges, but the web of deception protecting the actual killer. Marshall discovers that seeking justice means risking everything against a community united in covering up the truth.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, legal-thriller
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Local
Hardcover · Pocket Books