First published 1994
What starts as a routine tax examination of MCA Records quickly spirals into something far more sinister. The initial inquiry seems straightforward enough, but investigators soon discover they've stumbled onto a web of criminal activity that reaches deep into the music industry. As the probe intensifies, evidence emerges of systematic extortion schemes, bribery operations, and payola arrangements that corrupt the very foundation of how music gets made and promoted. The investigation uncovers counterfeiting rings that flood the market with fake recordings, cheating artists and consumers alike. But the stakes rise dramatically when murder enters the picture, transforming a financial investigation into a deadly game where those who dig too deep risk everything. The deeper the investigators go, the more they realize they're not just dealing with white collar crime but with an industry where money, power, and violence intersect in dangerous ways.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, thriller
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: conspiracy, investigation
416 pages · Paperback · Perennial
Content warnings: violence