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Content snapshot
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Violence
Some
Significant violence including an assassination attempt that leaves Spenser severely injured
Language
Some
Hard-boiled language throughout
Sexual Content
Barely any
Brief adult relationship references consistent with the series
Substance Use
Barely any
Social drinking typical of the series
Emotional Intensity
Some
Themes of racial injustice in the legal system and the cost of seeking truth
What this book is about
A lawyer asks Spenser to reinvestigate the conviction of Ellis Alves — a Black man imprisoned for the murder of a white college student — believing Alves was framed. Spenser's investigation puts him in the sights of a professional assassin, leading to a violent confrontation that nearly ends his life. A powerful novel about race, justice, and dogged resilience.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
racial injustice in the criminal justice system
serious violence against the protagonist
assassination attempt
Reader Verification
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