It's the Vietnam
era/ Atlanta has been a police town, a white police town that is. Now
the blacks are gaining their own power base, and it doesn't sit will.
Four cops have been murdered gangland style. The cops are convinced
that the blacks are responsible. When another incident occurs,
they're ready to go all out to make sure the killer doesn't strike
again even if they have to take justice into their own hands.
Jimmy Murphy, a
member of one of the old-time police families, is nearly murdered.
His partner is killed and Jimmy barely escapes with his life. Now the
cops are doubly eager to catch the killer, but Jimmy's sister,
Maggie, also a policeman, isn't convinced by his recounting of the
killing. She starts her own investigation helped by Kate, a rookie,
and Gail, her former supervisor.
Kate comes from a
wealthy family. Her husband Patrick was killed in Vietnam, and now
she feels that she has to prove herself. Police work, particularly
with this group in Atlanta, is tough sledding and no one expects Kate
to stick it out, but surprisingly she isn't ready to quit.
Kate is an excellent
character, tough and resilient, although she isn't sure she has the
stamina to stick it out. The cops, particularly Maggie's uncle Terry,
are tough characters portraying all the racial and sexual hatred of
the force in that era in the South. These characters are realistic
for the time period, but not likable.
The plot has plenty
of twists to keep you reading. However, if you're offended by racial
slurs and bad language, you will not enjoy this book. It's and true
to the time period, but not a comfortable read.
I reviewed this book
for Net Galley.
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