First published 2021
Martha Foster thought Erva, Alabama was the perfect place to practice law. The charming town rarely sees anything worse than traffic violations or petty theft. But Martha notices something troubling about the local courthouse. The jail stays packed with prisoners who never seem to get released. Minor offenses somehow turn into extended sentences. When Martha starts asking questions about the unusually crowded cells and the suspiciously low release rate, she discovers the judge running the courtroom has been systematically destroying lives for profit. Martha decides to take on the corrupt system, but her fight for justice comes at a steep price. She finds herself behind bars, learning firsthand why so many people disappear into the Erva jail. Now Martha must use every legal skill she possesses to expose the truth from inside the very system designed to silence her.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, legal-thriller
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: corruption, underdog
Setting: Erva, Alabama
576 pages · Hardcover · Little, Brown and Company