The case is already a failure; one killing became two, became three, became four. Four murders but without the cachet of a serial killer on a rampage. There is no terrorized public, no sensationalism, no news cameras waiting at the steps. These cases offer the possibility of only minor success but huge failure.

There’s a report of a body in the woods, but assistant U.S. attorney Nick Davis doesn’t think anything will come of it. Still, it’s a nice day and all, so a field trip sounds pleasant enough. It turns out it’s not at all pleasant. There is indeed a body, and it belonged to a person the authorities knew. They had him in custody recently, in fact. Now, the kid is dead. While they’re working to catch whoever killed him --- and they’re pretty sure early on who that might be --- someone else turns up dead. Their initial cocky attitude is coming back to haunt them. Big time.

"As legal thrillers go, this one is right up there with the best of them. That’s not because of its nonstop action, but because of its slow-burn pacing, unpredictable characters, and lots and lots of plot switchbacks."

But it’s more complicated than several murders would seem to imply. Nick is at a crossroads in his life. He’s been in his public service career too long with no upward movement. He thought he was content, but now he’s beginning to think maybe not. Something has come up that he’d like to go for. Of course, making a complete mess of the investigation surrounding four murders would pretty much end any hope of career advancement. Worse, Nick has begun to wonder whether he himself could be a suspect in at least one of the deaths. Or, if not him, someone in his department.

In between his attacks of paranoia, Nick is struck by bouts of puppy love. His teenage daughter can see how ripe he is for romance. Even his ex-wife, Flora, can see that. She has moved on and wants Nick to do the same. They have an odd, if symbiotic relationship: good for their daughter, comfortable for them. Maybe too comfortable. But while Nick may not have been the best husband, he’s an excellent father and a pretty fine ex-husband. Now, happily, his eye has caught someone new.

All sorts of strange friendships sprout up over the months that it takes for the investigation to play itself out. The prosecutor gets a feel for the defense side of the law, even gaining a begrudging sort of respect for it and seeing how things aren’t simply black and white. There are several shades of gray, in fact, not just one. And, of course, not everything is as it seems. So much can be misinterpreted, so much misunderstood. Meanwhile, boundaries are crossed and rules are bent, but justice might be well served nonetheless.

As legal thrillers go, this one is right up there with the best of them. That’s not because of its nonstop action, but because of its slow-burn pacing, unpredictable characters, and lots and lots of plot switchbacks. Finding out who did what becomes less important than how Nick Davis is going to resolve the issues and make the right people pay. And the big bonus is that author Lee Goodman’s writing style makes me want to come back for more. And more. And more.