First published 2015
Mara stands beside the Messenger at the funeral of Aimal, a Muslim boy who died defending his community. Her apprenticeship has already exposed her to more cruelty than most witness in a lifetime, but their work continues. The pair discovers Graciella struggling with addiction in an empty storefront. The Messenger sees what Mara is learning to recognize: victims of terrible crimes demand justice. Together they hunt those who harm others through greed, selfishness, prejudice, and violence. Each act of justice costs them. Every person they help leaves Mara and the Messenger with a new tattoo marking the essence of that particular crime. As Mara grows deeper into this brutal calling, she finds herself unexpectedly drawn to the Messenger, who shows moments of tenderness amid the fear he creates. She learns that feeling compassion in their world of justice and terror proves the most difficult challenge of all.
Genres: mystery, crime, contemporary, thriller
Vibes: dark, emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Muslim Community
400 pages · Kindle Edition · Katherine Tegen Books
Content warnings: abuse, addiction, violence