The last remaining fragment of truth—hidden in the mire of the Mystic Creek
Boston star-prosecutor-turned-corporate-attorney Jack Marino has risen fast and far from his upbringing in the Mystic housing projects. But after he’s savagely beaten in retaliation for his work as head of the District Attorney’s Urban Gang Unit, he’s fired because his powerful boss is running for governor and fears the beating may have shaken Jack’s formidable confidence.
Jack lands a plush suite at his father-in-law’s mega law firm, making big money practicing corporate law. Although he seemingly has everything—money, privilege, and an heiress for a wife, what he doesn’t have is his own self-respect.
When he is given a chance to get back into criminal law—this time as defense counsel in a capital murder case—he finally feels alive again. But to save his client from death row, he’ll face a criminal network far more organized and powerful than he could have imagined.
The case will take Jack back to the projects he thought he’d escaped. He’ll risk personal and professional ruin, and ultimately his very life, to fight the corrupt forces determined to see his client go down—forces that may have already given absolute immunity to the real killer.
Perfect for fans of John Grisham and Scott Turow
Strong Legal Thriller Debut. As a former District Attorney's Office employee (I worked on their tech) and (mostly) former police accountability activist who also happens to be a former trailer park kid... I have quite a bit in common with our hero of this new series. Which may have made this particular book have a bit more impact for me - while not having these *exact* experiences, I've been close enough that they all rang all too true. And what experiences we have, from having (and losing) it all in order to truly find yourself (which to be clear, never really happened in my own life) to crime lords not caring about the "little people" they are destroying to cops, prosecutors, and judges - who are *supposed* to care about those very people - placing their own profits and aspirations ahead of truly serving the people and truly seeking justice. Of course, Barretto also does himself a few favors in setting the book in the early 80s, before American police - and the entire "justice" system - became as militarized as it now stands, and before activists really rose in response to such militarization. For example, data does not exist for the period in question, yet American police are known to have killed over 10,000 people within the last decade as I write this review. In setting this story (and likely series?) in such a "simpler" time, Barretto manages to be able to tell his tale(s) without having to worry about such issues. Overall truly a solid legal thriller that also provides a solid look at some areas many might prefer not to see. Very much recommended.
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4 September, 2022:
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