Ziko Slade, former tennis player and superstar sits behind bars for the murder of Lenny Lerman – a murder some don’t think he committed. The evidence is damning, the case apparently airtight…but did he really do it?
It’s late fall and winter is in the air in the Catskills of New York as Retired Detective Dave Gurney and his wife Madeline complete the days’ work on their outdoor patio and prepare for their dinner guest, Emma Martin, to arrive. She is coming to ask a favor of Dave. Will he look into the murder case of a person that may be innocent? Emma, his therapist, certainly thinks he is.
Mildly intrigued, Dave agrees to review the trial videos and see if anything seems amiss. At first, it seems like a slam duck case. The deceased was found on his property, the DNA linking him to the scene is irrefutable. A journal left behind by the victim details a planned attempt to blackmail Ziko – to the tune of a million dollars – for some salacious information to remain private. But was the case too much of a slam dunk? A visit to prison to visit the convicted murderer has Dave curious.
As Dave starts to do some digging, he enlists the help of his old buddy, Jack Hardwick, it quickly becomes apparent that some do not appreciate his interference, including the prosecuting attorney, Cam Stryker, and closer to home, his wife Maddie. As Dave continues digging, he begins to realize there’s much more to this case than meets the eye – and when an anonymous meeting ends in a car accident and a possible murder charge for Dave, he must hide from the authorities and find answers – fast…
This is another great read from John Verdon, although the ending left me a bit unsettled – a few things are in limbo, for which I now must anxiously await the next in the series. There’s more character development, with glimpses into Dave & Maddie’s personal life – which, to me anyway, has always seemed fraught with friction. I often wonder why the couple remains together – and as of the last page of this novel is turned – I wonder if they’ll overcome the distance between them. Easily read as a standalone, but the series is well worth the read!!
I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy from Netgalley & C0unterpoint Press in exchange for an objective review. Do you love to read?? Visit netgalley.com and start reviewing books today!!
Tropical Delusions...... 