First published 2010
Philadelphia sees a surge in murders, but the victims are street criminals and drug dealers that few people mourn. Homicide Sergeant Matthew Payne starts investigating what appears to be random violence against the city's underworld. Something feels wrong about the pattern of deaths. Vigilante groups begin taking public credit for some killings, but Payne knows they're lying. The real perpetrators remain hidden while the body count climbs. As the murders escalate and target bigger players in the criminal hierarchy, Payne realizes the situation is spiraling beyond police control. He and his fellow officers race to identify who's actually behind the systematic elimination of Philadelphia's criminal element. The investigation becomes urgent as Payne fears the violence will soon consume everyone in its path, including law enforcement itself.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, action
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: cat-and-mouse, corruption, investigation
Setting: Philadelphia
Period: 21st-century
342 pages · Hardcover · G.P. Putnam's Sons
Content warnings: violence