by J. A. Jance
Part of J.P. Beaumont, book 10
First published 1993
A killer breaks into the home of a respected Seattle police officer and murders him along with his family. The brutal crime shocks the department, but one family member survives: a five year old boy who hid in a closet during the attack. Detective J.P. Beaumont takes the case personally because the victim was his friend and colleague. Soon rumors surface that the dead cop was corrupt, but Beaumont refuses to believe them. He knows someone wants to destroy his friend's reputation. The young witness becomes a target because he saw too much that night. Beaumont must protect the terrified child while tracking down the real killer. His investigation takes him into Seattle's dangerous gang territory where his own life comes under threat. Beaumont faces a choice between following official procedures and doing what he believes is right for his murdered friend and the surviving boy.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, detective
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, investigation
Setting: Seattle
384 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Avon
Content warnings: murder, violence