FROM ONE OF THE MOST BELOVED AUTHORS IN CRIME

An absolutely compelling detective mystery perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Gregg Olsen, Rita Herron, Sara Paretsky, Sue Grafton, Marcia Muller, J.A. Jance, Mary Burton, Melinda Leigh, Kendra Elliott, Robert Dugoni and D.K. Hood.

Please note this book was previously published as Red Man Down.

MEET THE DETECTIVE

Seasoned thirty-five-year-old Sarah Burke replaced her youthful bloom with burnished fitness and a put-together look that said to her friends, ‘Trust me,’ and to the bad guys, ‘Don’t even think about it.’ Occasionally some fool thought about it anyway, and for those times she wears a Glock nine in a paddle holster on her belt. Thirteen years in the department had fixed her attitude — wary and seldom surprised. She had transferred into Homicide a little over a year ago because she was ready for bigger challenges. More ambitious than ever now that she’s single again, Sarah wants to work with the best people, hone her skills, keep moving up.

THE SETTING

Tucson, Arizona, eighty miles from the Mexican border, is a city with ancient roots and a panoply of modern problems. Sprawled in a beautiful valley in the Southwest, Tucson struggles with border issues, shrinking water resources, and a booming drug trade, but its prosperity relies on the steady flow of tourists and retirees attracted to its wonderful weather, where, as the locals say, it’s ‘too hot to spit’.

THE MYSTERY

An ex-cop.

An apparent suicide.

Three bizarre deaths.

Detective Sarah Burke’s precious Saturday off is interrupted when she is called to a shooting involving a fellow officer. A rookie cop caught a thief in the act, the thief pulled a gun on him — and the cop shot him dead.

A straightforward case of justifiable homicide. But the detectives get a shock when they take a closer look at the victim: it’s ex-cop, Ed Lacey, Sarah’s former mentor.

Lacey’s life spiralled out of control after he was discharged from the force for a drunken screw-up. Evidence suggests his death was suicide-by-cop. Sarah wonders what could have caused this much-admired officer to go downhill so fast.

As Sarah and her team delve deeper into Ed’s life and question his extended family, the more complex and dangerous the case becomes.

Can the detectives uncover the shocking truth before the family closes ranks?