When DNA proves that an innocent man has spent over 25 years wrongfully imprisoned for rape, crime reporter Willie Black shows up to witness Richard Slade's release from prison. Richard is more than a story; he and Willie are cousins. Now, less than a week after Richard is released, Alicia Simpson, who had identified Richard as her rapist, is shot dead. Richard is picked up right away, and the police aren't interested in looking any further. Luckily for Richard, Alicia's friend tells Willie about a journal that will reveal all. Willie carries plenty of his own baggage—he's a drunk and a father atoning for lost time. But when the powers of old-money Richmond tell him to drop the story, Willie pushes back for truth.
VERDICT Owen is particularly good at character development and takes a familiar race and class struggle plot to a new level. His second entry featuring crime reporter Willie Black (after the Hammett Prize finalist Oregon Hill) is a stellar mystery deserving of a wide readership.
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