When three Vietnamese immigrants are found murdered and savagely
mutilated in Calusa, Florida, police finger wealthy landowner Stephen
Leeds as the prime suspect. The now-deceased trio had recently been
acquitted of raping Leeds's wife, Jessie. From his jail cell, Leeds
insists that, while they may have gotten what they deserved, he didn't
dispense the vigilante justice.
That's enough for attorney Matthew Hope to take on the case. But every
piece of evidence ties his client to the grisly killings, from Leeds
publicly vowing to avenge his wife's assault to the discovery of his
wallet at the scene. And it doesn't help matters that Hope is going up
against Assistant State Attorney Patricia Demming, who is dead-set on
seeing Leeds fry for the crime.
Acclaimed author and fan favorite Ed McBain blends powerful suspense
with master storytelling for a thrilling and charged tale of two
men--one whose life hangs in the balance and one who must follow a
convoluted trail of secrets, seduction, and sabotage to get to the
truth.