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Detective Sarah Alt #3
The Policeman's Daughter
From author Trudy Nan Boyce, whose police procedural debut was hailed as "authentic" (New York Times Book Review) and "exceptional" (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel), returns with a stunning prequel to the Detective Salt series, the story behind the case that earned Salt her promotion to homicide.
At the beginning of her career, Sarah "Salt" Alt was a beat cop in Atlanta's poorest, most violent housing project, The Homes. It is here that she meets the cast of misfits and criminals that will have a profound impact on her later cases: Man Man, the leader of the local gang on his way to better places; street dealer Lil D and his family; and Sister Connelly, old and observant, the matriarch of the neighborhood. A lone patrolwoman, Salt's closest lifeline is her friend and colleague Pepper, on his own beat nearby. And when a murder in The Homes brings detectives to the scene, Salt draws closer to Detective Wills, initiating a romance complicated by their positions on the force.
When Salt is shot and sustains a head injury during a routine traffic stop, the resulting visions begin leading her toward answers in the case that makes her career. This is the tale of a woman who solves crimes through a combination of keen observation, grunt work, and pure gut instinct; this is the making of Detective Salt.
At the beginning of her career, Sarah "Salt" Alt was a beat cop in Atlanta's poorest, most violent housing project, The Homes. It is here that she meets the cast of misfits and criminals that will have a profound impact on her later cases: Man Man, the leader of the local gang on his way to better places; street dealer Lil D and his family; and Sister Connelly, old and observant, the matriarch of the neighborhood. A lone patrolwoman, Salt's closest lifeline is her friend and colleague Pepper, on his own beat nearby. And when a murder in The Homes brings detectives to the scene, Salt draws closer to Detective Wills, initiating a romance complicated by their positions on the force.
When Salt is shot and sustains a head injury during a routine traffic stop, the resulting visions begin leading her toward answers in the case that makes her career. This is the tale of a woman who solves crimes through a combination of keen observation, grunt work, and pure gut instinct; this is the making of Detective Salt.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 27, 2018
35 people are currently reading
747 people want to read
About the author
Trudy Nan Boyce
3 books70 followersTrudy Nan Boyce had a more-than-thirty-year career as a police officer for the City of Atlanta. She served as a beat cop, homicide detective, senior hostage negotiator, and lieutenant. Boyce retired from the police department in 2008 and still lives in Atlanta. Boyce also has a Ph.D. in community counseling.
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November 21, 2017
It takes a cop to write an outstanding police procedural. Trudy Nan Boyce, a 30-year veteran of the Atlanta PD, delivers a hard hitting, gritty homicide procedural. The Policeman's Daughter is a prequel to her Detective Sarah Alt series and centers around the homicide case that got Alt promoted to homicide.
Alt, whose street name is Salt, is a beat cop in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Atlanta, The Homes. Patrolling as a lone officer, she depends on her friend and fellow officer, "Pepper'' Greer, who patrols a nearby area. Salt and Pepper. The duo are well known to the residents of The Homes. When the body of Shannell McCloud is discovered, shot to death in the closet where she had been hiding, Alt is angry that there is nothing she can do to solve the problems in The Homes. With very little evidence and no witnessses willing to come forward, detectives tell Alt that there is very little chance of solving the homicide. But Alt is obsessed and determined to find the killer who shot the woman to death as she cowered. In the world of gangs, street crime, drugs and death, it's dangerous to be a lone beat cop, but Alt wants to make a difference.
I enjoyed this book, but it's a rough, gritty read. Boyce paints a bleak picture of life in Atlanta's gang-filled Projects, but not a hopeless one. Alt is a good cop. She really cares about the people and wants to make a difference. Boyce's years as a cop in Atlanta add a realism and truth to this story that mkae it raw and hard hitting.
I will definitely be reading more from this author. There are two other books in the Sarah Alt series. I can't wait to read them both! This prequel in the series is coming out in February 2018.
For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: http://www.trudynanboyce.com/
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from First To Read/Penguin-Random House. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Alt, whose street name is Salt, is a beat cop in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Atlanta, The Homes. Patrolling as a lone officer, she depends on her friend and fellow officer, "Pepper'' Greer, who patrols a nearby area. Salt and Pepper. The duo are well known to the residents of The Homes. When the body of Shannell McCloud is discovered, shot to death in the closet where she had been hiding, Alt is angry that there is nothing she can do to solve the problems in The Homes. With very little evidence and no witnessses willing to come forward, detectives tell Alt that there is very little chance of solving the homicide. But Alt is obsessed and determined to find the killer who shot the woman to death as she cowered. In the world of gangs, street crime, drugs and death, it's dangerous to be a lone beat cop, but Alt wants to make a difference.
I enjoyed this book, but it's a rough, gritty read. Boyce paints a bleak picture of life in Atlanta's gang-filled Projects, but not a hopeless one. Alt is a good cop. She really cares about the people and wants to make a difference. Boyce's years as a cop in Atlanta add a realism and truth to this story that mkae it raw and hard hitting.
I will definitely be reading more from this author. There are two other books in the Sarah Alt series. I can't wait to read them both! This prequel in the series is coming out in February 2018.
For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: http://www.trudynanboyce.com/
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from First To Read/Penguin-Random House. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
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August 1, 2021
Audiobook - 10:46 Hours - Narrator: Allyson Ryan
Initially 3Stars, upgraded to 4Stars (I really Liked It)
Listening to this audiobook, I was impressed, as I had been previously, by Trudy Nan Boyce's writing, and I was equally impressed, again, by Alison Ryan's excellent narration. However, during the first 60% or so of the story, I was wondering whether there would be any finality, a result of some sort, to come after the rather languorous telling of the tale.
The truth is, I fell asleep with only an hour or so to listen to and when I awoke it was all over. I marked the book as 'finished', gave it 3Stars with the note "review to come", and went back to sleep, fully intending to listen to the remainder the next day, which I duly did. I should not have counted my chickens... That final hour gave me exactly what I was looking for: a satisfying and moving conclusion which I used to immediately increase my rating to 4Stars and hence this review.
This quote comes from an interview by Gail O'Neill, ARTS ATL, with Boyce, prior to the publication of her third "Detective Sarah Alt" novel, "The Policeman's Daughter":
"A conversation with author Trudy Nan Boyce about writing, racial inequity and her time at the APD" -
“One of the things that motivates my novels,” says Boyce, “is a desire to communicate the desperation and chaos of poverty, and the history of this magical and tragic city [Atlanta] . . . which reflects the magical and tragic history of our country.”
ARTS ATL: https://www.artsatl.org/conversation-...
It is disappointing that I can find no comment from Boyce, or attributed to Boyce, about her future intentions regarding Detective Sarah Alt. I have loved the series to date and I can but hope that Trudy Nan Boyce's writing talents are not lost to her admiring fans.
Initially 3Stars, upgraded to 4Stars (I really Liked It)
Listening to this audiobook, I was impressed, as I had been previously, by Trudy Nan Boyce's writing, and I was equally impressed, again, by Alison Ryan's excellent narration. However, during the first 60% or so of the story, I was wondering whether there would be any finality, a result of some sort, to come after the rather languorous telling of the tale.
The truth is, I fell asleep with only an hour or so to listen to and when I awoke it was all over. I marked the book as 'finished', gave it 3Stars with the note "review to come", and went back to sleep, fully intending to listen to the remainder the next day, which I duly did. I should not have counted my chickens... That final hour gave me exactly what I was looking for: a satisfying and moving conclusion which I used to immediately increase my rating to 4Stars and hence this review.
This quote comes from an interview by Gail O'Neill, ARTS ATL, with Boyce, prior to the publication of her third "Detective Sarah Alt" novel, "The Policeman's Daughter":
"A conversation with author Trudy Nan Boyce about writing, racial inequity and her time at the APD" -
“One of the things that motivates my novels,” says Boyce, “is a desire to communicate the desperation and chaos of poverty, and the history of this magical and tragic city [Atlanta] . . . which reflects the magical and tragic history of our country.”
ARTS ATL: https://www.artsatl.org/conversation-...
It is disappointing that I can find no comment from Boyce, or attributed to Boyce, about her future intentions regarding Detective Sarah Alt. I have loved the series to date and I can but hope that Trudy Nan Boyce's writing talents are not lost to her admiring fans.
April 10, 2018
The Policeman's Daughter by Trudy Nan Boyce is the third novel in the series featuring the character Sarah Alt. While this novel is number three, it is actually a prequel to the previous novel and depicts the main character as a patrol officer prior to becoming a detective.
In this novel Alt, nicknamed "Salt" is trying to solve the murder of a crack cocaine prostitute in Atlanta, Georgia.
For the fans of the police procedural, The Policeman's Daughter is highly recommended. Boyce clearly is one of the better writers when it comes to the police procedural.
Another enjoyable aspect of Boyce's writing is that she tells stories that will end with an emotional impact, regardless of the type of characters involved. Additionally, in her writing, she is adept at allowing most of her characters to remain human even though they exist on the fringes of a legitimate society.
Readers that follow writers such as George Pelecanos, Dennis Lehane, and Rachel Howzell Hall will most likely enjoy the novels of Boyce.
In this novel Alt, nicknamed "Salt" is trying to solve the murder of a crack cocaine prostitute in Atlanta, Georgia.
For the fans of the police procedural, The Policeman's Daughter is highly recommended. Boyce clearly is one of the better writers when it comes to the police procedural.
Another enjoyable aspect of Boyce's writing is that she tells stories that will end with an emotional impact, regardless of the type of characters involved. Additionally, in her writing, she is adept at allowing most of her characters to remain human even though they exist on the fringes of a legitimate society.
Readers that follow writers such as George Pelecanos, Dennis Lehane, and Rachel Howzell Hall will most likely enjoy the novels of Boyce.
March 26, 2018
A prequel is a bonus, this one is a real treat. The urban police beat Salt has worked for ten years with blood, sweat and tears is also worked with caring, energy and passion. Gritty and real with heart stopping tension.
March 7, 2018
Thanks to Putnam for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Who doesn't love a good police procedural? THE POLICEMAN'S DAUGHTER by Trudy Nan Boyce is book three in the Detective Salt series, but it's considered the prequel. So talk about a lucky time to jump in on the series! This definitely is making me want to go back and read books one and two. With this being a prequel I felt like I wasn't missing vital information because this was her background story.
Salt started out in the most violent areas of Atlanta when she was beat cop. While she was here, she meets many criminals that would end up having a large impact on her life and future cases. These include Man Man, a leader of a local gang, Lil D, a street dealer, and then Sister Connelly who is considered the matriarch of the neighborhood.
Her life changes when she is shot during a routine traffic stop, resulting in a head injury. She begins having visions that help her find answers to solve the case that ends up making her career. Salt is a no-nonsense and hard working cop - she goes off her strong skills of observation, trusts her gut, and puts in the time. She's a great protagonist and made for a great police procedural read.
Trudy Nan Boyce's experience shines through in this novel. Her 30 years on the police force in Atlanta helps give this procedural an edge that most others don't. You can't beat first-hand experience and insight from someone that was in the same positions as the characters.
I'm looking forward to going back and continuing the series to see what cases Detective Salt comes across and putting her skills to work again. This will be a crime series I'll continue to follow in the future as well!
I give this one 4/5 stars!
Who doesn't love a good police procedural? THE POLICEMAN'S DAUGHTER by Trudy Nan Boyce is book three in the Detective Salt series, but it's considered the prequel. So talk about a lucky time to jump in on the series! This definitely is making me want to go back and read books one and two. With this being a prequel I felt like I wasn't missing vital information because this was her background story.
Salt started out in the most violent areas of Atlanta when she was beat cop. While she was here, she meets many criminals that would end up having a large impact on her life and future cases. These include Man Man, a leader of a local gang, Lil D, a street dealer, and then Sister Connelly who is considered the matriarch of the neighborhood.
Her life changes when she is shot during a routine traffic stop, resulting in a head injury. She begins having visions that help her find answers to solve the case that ends up making her career. Salt is a no-nonsense and hard working cop - she goes off her strong skills of observation, trusts her gut, and puts in the time. She's a great protagonist and made for a great police procedural read.
Trudy Nan Boyce's experience shines through in this novel. Her 30 years on the police force in Atlanta helps give this procedural an edge that most others don't. You can't beat first-hand experience and insight from someone that was in the same positions as the characters.
I'm looking forward to going back and continuing the series to see what cases Detective Salt comes across and putting her skills to work again. This will be a crime series I'll continue to follow in the future as well!
I give this one 4/5 stars!
October 10, 2018
I enjoyed it - but it was too realistic for my tastes. I prefer books that take me away from real life. I was surprised by the ending, it never occurred to me to suspect the real murderer. I loved many parts of this book - my favorite were her sheep. I liked the main character's toughness and doggedness. The parts I didn't like were that the investigation went on and on, the depressing hopelessness of the people in her beat, the fact that she tried but couldn't help people - all of which felt like real life. I would recommend this book to people who are tired of stories where the cops are always victorious, the criminals are very bad, cops easily and quickly wrap up crimes, are able to help in spite of the odds, etc. This book was interesting and very well written. The story was good, but I prefer the fantasy.
September 18, 2019
This was an exciting cop thriller with a great twist at the end.
February 27, 2018
The Policeman's Daughter by Trudy Nan Boyce is a gritty police procedural about a woman cop who patrols of one Atlanta's poorest projects, the Homes. This third installment in the Detective Sarah Alt series is a prequel that takes place before her promotion to detective and can be read as a standalone.
Sarah "Salt" Alt has been patrolling the Homes for ten years and she not only knows, but cares, about its residents. She and her friend and fellow officer, "Pepper" Greer, are well known and well liked by the people they encounter while on patrol. After getting shot during a routine traffic stop, Salt has recently returned to work when one of women on her beat, Shannell McCloud is murdered. Homicide detectives Will and Gardner are assigned to Shannell's murder but the case quickly goes cold. Salt wants justice for Shannell so she begins digging around in hopes of uncovering the killer.
Salt is the daughter of a cop who killed himself on her tenth birthday. She has never quite gotten over his death and since they were close, becoming a cop was a natural decision. Despite patrolling the Homes for ten years, Salt has not become inured to the tragedies, poverty or criminals she encounters during her shifts. She truly cares for the Homes' residents and for the most part, she has a good relationship with the various people she meets.
Salt is no stranger to Shannell, her boyfriend and her son's father Big D and their son Lil D. She carries a bit of guilt over not being able help Lil D when he was a teenager so she has a soft spot for him. She watches out for him and she is well aware othat Lil D works for local gang leader Man Man who deals drugs. Salt also keeps running across Curtis Stone, who works for Man Man too. However, unlike Lil D and Man Man, Stone is a predator who has no use for Salt. Although she is wary of Stone, Salt is not intimidated by his thuggish tactics and she refuses to stop looking for the person who murdered Shannell.
Although a little slow paced in the beginning, The Policeman's Daughter is a engrossing police procedural. Salt is a compassionate police officer who becomes a little too personally involved with the residents of the Homes yet this is what makes her such an outstanding police officer. Pepper is a wonderful friend who tries to be the voice of reason when she gets overly involved searching for Shannell's killer. Trudy Nan Boyce does an outstanding job bringing the Homes and the people who live there vibrantly to life. The investigation into Shannell's murder is intriguing and the perpetrator's identity is cleverly concealed until the novel's poignant conclusion. A brilliant prequel to the Detective Sarah Alt series that fans of the genre will enjoy.
Sarah "Salt" Alt has been patrolling the Homes for ten years and she not only knows, but cares, about its residents. She and her friend and fellow officer, "Pepper" Greer, are well known and well liked by the people they encounter while on patrol. After getting shot during a routine traffic stop, Salt has recently returned to work when one of women on her beat, Shannell McCloud is murdered. Homicide detectives Will and Gardner are assigned to Shannell's murder but the case quickly goes cold. Salt wants justice for Shannell so she begins digging around in hopes of uncovering the killer.
Salt is the daughter of a cop who killed himself on her tenth birthday. She has never quite gotten over his death and since they were close, becoming a cop was a natural decision. Despite patrolling the Homes for ten years, Salt has not become inured to the tragedies, poverty or criminals she encounters during her shifts. She truly cares for the Homes' residents and for the most part, she has a good relationship with the various people she meets.
Salt is no stranger to Shannell, her boyfriend and her son's father Big D and their son Lil D. She carries a bit of guilt over not being able help Lil D when he was a teenager so she has a soft spot for him. She watches out for him and she is well aware othat Lil D works for local gang leader Man Man who deals drugs. Salt also keeps running across Curtis Stone, who works for Man Man too. However, unlike Lil D and Man Man, Stone is a predator who has no use for Salt. Although she is wary of Stone, Salt is not intimidated by his thuggish tactics and she refuses to stop looking for the person who murdered Shannell.
Although a little slow paced in the beginning, The Policeman's Daughter is a engrossing police procedural. Salt is a compassionate police officer who becomes a little too personally involved with the residents of the Homes yet this is what makes her such an outstanding police officer. Pepper is a wonderful friend who tries to be the voice of reason when she gets overly involved searching for Shannell's killer. Trudy Nan Boyce does an outstanding job bringing the Homes and the people who live there vibrantly to life. The investigation into Shannell's murder is intriguing and the perpetrator's identity is cleverly concealed until the novel's poignant conclusion. A brilliant prequel to the Detective Sarah Alt series that fans of the genre will enjoy.
May 10, 2019
I hate reviews with spoilers so you won't read any here. All you'll get is my humble opinion about the quality of this novel.
I generally enjoy police procedurals and this was a fair representation of the genre. The female lead character, Salt, is a beat cop in a poor housing project in Atlanta. Salt immerses herself, perhaps too deeply, in the lives of some of the residents on her beat. Her past plays a large part in her involvement with certain residents. The author reveals Salt’s past through flashbacks. I found this detracted from the story in places. Overall I enjoyed the book and would read more from this author. Apparently this is a prequel to a series so I will probably read the rest of this series. Salt is a character I would like to visit again.
I was chosen to read an advance copy of this book as part of the Penguin's First to Read program. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
I generally enjoy police procedurals and this was a fair representation of the genre. The female lead character, Salt, is a beat cop in a poor housing project in Atlanta. Salt immerses herself, perhaps too deeply, in the lives of some of the residents on her beat. Her past plays a large part in her involvement with certain residents. The author reveals Salt’s past through flashbacks. I found this detracted from the story in places. Overall I enjoyed the book and would read more from this author. Apparently this is a prequel to a series so I will probably read the rest of this series. Salt is a character I would like to visit again.
I was chosen to read an advance copy of this book as part of the Penguin's First to Read program. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
February 1, 2018
This novel introduces Sarah Alt known as Salt to her colleagues and the people she serves as a police officer in the Homes, a poor and violent housing project in Atlanta. Salt has patrolled the streets working the 4 to midnight shift for ten years. She has gotten to know the streets and the people.
This case concerns the death of a drug addicted hooker named Shannell. Salt has known her, her boyfriend Big D, her son Lil D, and her daughter Mary for years. Shannell and Big D have a contentious relationship. Shannell often goes after him with her favorite knife. When she is found shot to death, Big D is the first suspect. Lil D is sure he did it. But Salt isn't and begins an investigation which is hampered by sheer amount of crime in the Homes. Homicide, in the person of Detective Wills, has too many cases to spend much time working on Shannell's death.
Salt finds herself looking at Man Man who runs the local gang and who sells drugs to get justice for Shannel. Lil D works for him. So does Stone. Over the years, Salt has tried to help Lil D get away from the drug culture and the violence but the problems are so deep that it is easy for one kid or two to slip through the cracks.
Salt is an intriguing character who is still battling her own ghosts resulting from the suicide of her policeman father on her tenth birthday. Her mother remarried and moved away even before Salt finished college. They talk every once in a while but she doesn't feel any need to let her know when she's shot while conducting a routine traffic stop.
Her best friend is Pepper, a black man, who became a police officer the same time she did and who has worked with her patrolling the same area. Her focus on finding Shannell's killer and dealing with the aftereffects of the gunshot that grazed her head has caused her to distance herself from Pepper and her other work colleagues until a traumatic event reminds her that they are there for her.
The story setting is gritty and grim with rampant poverty and the culture that goes with it. The day to day police work is a never ending slog with only the occasional small victory. Still there are glimpses of hope and Salt is determined to make a difference. I enjoyed this story which is the first I've read about Salt enough to buy copies of the previous two books in the series to learn what happens next for her.
This case concerns the death of a drug addicted hooker named Shannell. Salt has known her, her boyfriend Big D, her son Lil D, and her daughter Mary for years. Shannell and Big D have a contentious relationship. Shannell often goes after him with her favorite knife. When she is found shot to death, Big D is the first suspect. Lil D is sure he did it. But Salt isn't and begins an investigation which is hampered by sheer amount of crime in the Homes. Homicide, in the person of Detective Wills, has too many cases to spend much time working on Shannell's death.
Salt finds herself looking at Man Man who runs the local gang and who sells drugs to get justice for Shannel. Lil D works for him. So does Stone. Over the years, Salt has tried to help Lil D get away from the drug culture and the violence but the problems are so deep that it is easy for one kid or two to slip through the cracks.
Salt is an intriguing character who is still battling her own ghosts resulting from the suicide of her policeman father on her tenth birthday. Her mother remarried and moved away even before Salt finished college. They talk every once in a while but she doesn't feel any need to let her know when she's shot while conducting a routine traffic stop.
Her best friend is Pepper, a black man, who became a police officer the same time she did and who has worked with her patrolling the same area. Her focus on finding Shannell's killer and dealing with the aftereffects of the gunshot that grazed her head has caused her to distance herself from Pepper and her other work colleagues until a traumatic event reminds her that they are there for her.
The story setting is gritty and grim with rampant poverty and the culture that goes with it. The day to day police work is a never ending slog with only the occasional small victory. Still there are glimpses of hope and Salt is determined to make a difference. I enjoyed this story which is the first I've read about Salt enough to buy copies of the previous two books in the series to learn what happens next for her.
February 22, 2018
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I've been enjoying the Detective Sarah Alt series very much. It is a gritty and real police procedural. The author has been in this role in real life. I appreciated the balance or lack of balance shown in Sarah's personal life. Over the previous two books, she has grown and changed as a character. I hoped for more of the same, and a continuation of her life. With the title of The Policeman's Daughter, I thought she might come to terms with more of her feelings about her father and his death.
Nope. This full-length book is a prequel to the first two books. I kept thinking, until I was at least halfway through, this was a flashback to give us details and then it would flash forward to the present and progress the story. Nope. I am a chronological sort of reader and I just didn't like the jump back. It can work to focus on other people or more details we need but I don't know where the series will go after this. I don't know it will give me more I need for future books?
While I got more details, I didn't feel like it was in depth enough to be anything I needed which I didn't already know. It was somewhat interesting but because of the character development of Sarah, it felt like a step backward. Honestly, I would read it first, instead of third; I would have enjoyed it more.
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I've been enjoying the Detective Sarah Alt series very much. It is a gritty and real police procedural. The author has been in this role in real life. I appreciated the balance or lack of balance shown in Sarah's personal life. Over the previous two books, she has grown and changed as a character. I hoped for more of the same, and a continuation of her life. With the title of The Policeman's Daughter, I thought she might come to terms with more of her feelings about her father and his death.
Nope. This full-length book is a prequel to the first two books. I kept thinking, until I was at least halfway through, this was a flashback to give us details and then it would flash forward to the present and progress the story. Nope. I am a chronological sort of reader and I just didn't like the jump back. It can work to focus on other people or more details we need but I don't know where the series will go after this. I don't know it will give me more I need for future books?
While I got more details, I didn't feel like it was in depth enough to be anything I needed which I didn't already know. It was somewhat interesting but because of the character development of Sarah, it felt like a step backward. Honestly, I would read it first, instead of third; I would have enjoyed it more.
November 11, 2019
This is an author I have never read before but I surely will again. Trudy Nan Boyce is a retired Atlanta police officer and beat cop and a homicide detective and so forth so she knows her business. Oh man her story is off the charts, it is so interesting to read a book of fiction from a former police woman who really know what it is like out there
They call her Salt because of her name and her partner is Pepper and the story just rocks you in all the good and bad places. Can't say too much but take a chance on this book, you will not be disappoined at all. Miss. Boyce has two other books out also and I am going to snap them up as well. By the way the ending will leave you with your mouth open as it did mine. Other books by her"Old Bones" and "Out of the Blues" can't wait. Would love your input if you have read her! Happy reading all!
They call her Salt because of her name and her partner is Pepper and the story just rocks you in all the good and bad places. Can't say too much but take a chance on this book, you will not be disappoined at all. Miss. Boyce has two other books out also and I am going to snap them up as well. By the way the ending will leave you with your mouth open as it did mine. Other books by her"Old Bones" and "Out of the Blues" can't wait. Would love your input if you have read her! Happy reading all!
August 6, 2018
Atlanta detective Sarah Alt (Salt) is a gift to regional mystery series. Trudy Nan Boyce's series benefits from her own police experience, as well as the fact she is a very good writer.
Having recently devoured the first two books in the series, I was eager to check in and see what was happening with Salt and her cast of supporting characters.
So I was a bit surprised to find this one is really a prequel, giving us the back story on Salt's days as a patrol officer and how she met all of her colleagues and antagonists.
I was a bit disappointed but once I read the first chapter (dramatic, fast-paced and well written) I was hooked. My only disappointment is now I will have to wait a year to check in with this new addiction.
Having recently devoured the first two books in the series, I was eager to check in and see what was happening with Salt and her cast of supporting characters.
So I was a bit surprised to find this one is really a prequel, giving us the back story on Salt's days as a patrol officer and how she met all of her colleagues and antagonists.
I was a bit disappointed but once I read the first chapter (dramatic, fast-paced and well written) I was hooked. My only disappointment is now I will have to wait a year to check in with this new addiction.
November 12, 2018
I generally avoid novels described as "gritty," especially when my own life is stress filled, so how did I end up reading a book set in The Homes, a hellacious housing project in Atlanta? Maybe the fact that the narrator is a woman cop helped, or maybe Marilyn Stasio's review in the NYT swayed me, or maybe it was the fact that the author was a cop in Atlanta for 30 years (AFTER getting a PhD in Community Counseling). So I overcame my squeamishness and ended up liking this a lot, despite the seeming hopelessness of the lives of many of the folks policed by Sarah Alt, known as Salt to her colleagues and everyone in the 'hood. Her partner's name is Pepper, naturally.
You just can't beat authentic, and this one has it for sure. Now I definitely need to go find something a little more cheerful while this one percolates.
You just can't beat authentic, and this one has it for sure. Now I definitely need to go find something a little more cheerful while this one percolates.
May 13, 2018
Officer S. Alt, or Salt as she's known to her fellow officers, is a beat cop in The Homes, a drug-riddled section of Atlanta. She's following in the steps of her father while also haunted by the ghost of his death. The people of the neighborhood she has sworn to protect are her family now - the drug dealers, the addicts, and the church goers. When one of the crack whores of the neighborhood is found shot to death in her apartment, Salt swears she will not rest until she gets justice for her.
The Policeman's Daughter is the prequel to other books about Salt (and her sometimes partner Pepper). Although not earthshatteringly good, it is a decent read.
The Policeman's Daughter is the prequel to other books about Salt (and her sometimes partner Pepper). Although not earthshatteringly good, it is a decent read.
June 17, 2018
A prequel to the previous novels featuring Detective Sarah Alt. She began her career as a beat cop in Atlanta’s dangerous hardboiled neighborhood, and we meet many of the good guys and bad guys that influence her life and her career. I found it a little slow, but Boyce is masterful at creating Salt’s interesting backstory and slowly revealing what has shaped her, at the same time that she explores the early days of the important people in her life. Allyson Ryan’s expert narration helps create the atmosphere.
August 7, 2018
The newest installment in the Deective Sarah Alt series is a prequel to the first two. Sarah is a beat cop in Atlanta’s toughest neighborhood, The Homes. Her shifts are full of violence, poverty, gangs, guns and drugs. She is committed to the area and genuinely cares about the welfare of some of the residents. The reader meets some of the characters that populate the other books.
A great series.
A great series.
August 25, 2018
(3). This book almost multitasks. It is an introspective study of an impoverished, rough and tumble section of Atlanta, a deep psychlogical study of a second generation cop and an action thriller of sorts as well. At times, it gets to be almost noir in nature, I think that is when the story really shines. There are a few too many almost dead spots, which is why I only gave it three stars. If there are any more entries in this Sarah Alt (Salt) series, they would be worth checking out. An interesting read.
May 1, 2021
This 3rd book in the series gives you Salt's back story and family history. The story is compelling and suspenseful. Another great book in the series, hope there will be many more to enjoy.
January 22, 2018
Really enjoyed reading this prequel to the Salt series by Trudy Nan Boyce where we learn about the case that got her promoted to homicide. After Salt is shot during a routine traffic stop, she begins to have "visions" which help her to solve the case she is currently working on. A gritty, realistic police procedural. Can't wait to read more from Boyce.
November 22, 2017
Thank you Netgalley and GP Putnam's Sons for this ARC
I like the Salt stories....and the Atlanta setting. This one went sort of slow for me and
I don't know why. Salt was more of a "lone wolf" kind of character in this book than in the previous ones.
Maybe it was the head injury. There was more of her backstory and I gained a deeper understanding of
her character and her relationships with the other regulars. I like that she looks underneath the surface of those she's sworn to "protect & serve". A gritty story about one tough lady.
I like the Salt stories....and the Atlanta setting. This one went sort of slow for me and
I don't know why. Salt was more of a "lone wolf" kind of character in this book than in the previous ones.
Maybe it was the head injury. There was more of her backstory and I gained a deeper understanding of
her character and her relationships with the other regulars. I like that she looks underneath the surface of those she's sworn to "protect & serve". A gritty story about one tough lady.
March 22, 2018
During the first part of this book, I was not sure about this Salt character. Is she cray, cray? A glutton for punishment? She is in these gang member's faces and messing with them on a daily basis. I kept thinking that this woman was going to get herself killed. She puts herself in danger like almost everyday.
Then I realize that this woman cares (and there is something going on with her head due to an gunshot injury) and danger does not scare her. Yeah, I know corny, but this is a good read and I loved the play on salt and pepper.
Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Then I realize that this woman cares (and there is something going on with her head due to an gunshot injury) and danger does not scare her. Yeah, I know corny, but this is a good read and I loved the play on salt and pepper.
Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
January 29, 2018
Gritty!
I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Written by Trudy Nan Boyce, and published by G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York in 2018, this is probably the most realistic police procedural I have ever read. The protagonist is uniformed Police Officer Sarah Diana Alt. Her name tag reads “S. Alt,” so her police partner, a black officer who called himself “Pepper,” begins calling her “Salt.” The nickname sticks. Now, everybody on her beat in a run-down area of Atlanta, GA called “The Homes” calls her Salt. Salt, Pepper and most of the other officers in Atlanta patrol alone in their old, beat up police cruisers. The city can’t afford two officers per car, and the city council wants the maximum number of cars on the street.
As the story opens, Salt pulls over a driver on the freeway entrance ramp for improper lane usage and a scuffle and gunfight ensues. Salt receives a gunshot wound to the head with a minor concussion that will cause her recurring symptoms for months. The symptoms include hallucinations that help her to solve a murder mystery.
Unlike most other officers, Salt becomes emotionally attached to many of the residents of The Homes, which is ruled by gang bangers, and where the drug trade dominates the local economy. One of her victims and perpetrators is a crack whore named Shannell. She has two children, a boy and a girl. The girl is named “Mary,” and the boy is named “Lil D” after his father, who is known as “Big D.” Lil D is drawn into the gang and becomes a part of the drug business, while Mary goes to live with her very strict and religious grandmother. Shannell has gotten into a fight with her boyfriend Big D and stabbed him with a knife. Salt is the first officer on the scene. She manages to save Big D’s life, but has to arrest Shannel and take her to jail.
Big D survives and goes into hiding, and Shannell is released from jail only to be found by her daughter dead from gunshot wounds in a closet in her home some time later. Salt makes it her mission to find out who killed Shannell, and to look out for Shannell’s children as much as she can. But who killed Shannell, and why? Was it “Stone” a twisted and sexually perverted member of the drug gang who hates Salt? Was it “Man Man,” the leader of the gang? Perhaps it was one of the other gang members. The answer might surprise you.
When Salt digs too deep, somebody travels to her farm and attacks her sheep herding dog, “Wonder.” After nursing the dog overnight, and then taking him to the Vet for stitches the next morning, Wonder eventually recovers and resumes his herding duties for Salt’s five sheep at her small farm and Pecan orchard. Later, another attempt is made on Salt’s life, but is able to escape.
There is much more to the story, including flashbacks to her father, a policeman who committed suicide when Salt was only ten years old. The character development is quite good, in my estimation, and the story does not suffer from too much description and detail. Dialogue is realistic, and the entire story is quite believable. I had trouble putting this book down after I got into it a bit. I really liked this book, and I would recommend it to those who enjoy police procedurals, especially realistic ones. Five stars for this one, and plans to read the first one of the “Salt” series for which this novel is a prequel: Out of the Blues.
As the story opens, Salt pulls over a driver on the freeway entrance ramp for improper lane usage and a scuffle and gunfight ensues. Salt receives a gunshot wound to the head with a minor concussion that will cause her recurring symptoms for months. The symptoms include hallucinations that help her to solve a murder mystery.
Unlike most other officers, Salt becomes emotionally attached to many of the residents of The Homes, which is ruled by gang bangers, and where the drug trade dominates the local economy. One of her victims and perpetrators is a crack whore named Shannell. She has two children, a boy and a girl. The girl is named “Mary,” and the boy is named “Lil D” after his father, who is known as “Big D.” Lil D is drawn into the gang and becomes a part of the drug business, while Mary goes to live with her very strict and religious grandmother. Shannell has gotten into a fight with her boyfriend Big D and stabbed him with a knife. Salt is the first officer on the scene. She manages to save Big D’s life, but has to arrest Shannel and take her to jail.
Big D survives and goes into hiding, and Shannell is released from jail only to be found by her daughter dead from gunshot wounds in a closet in her home some time later. Salt makes it her mission to find out who killed Shannell, and to look out for Shannell’s children as much as she can. But who killed Shannell, and why? Was it “Stone” a twisted and sexually perverted member of the drug gang who hates Salt? Was it “Man Man,” the leader of the gang? Perhaps it was one of the other gang members. The answer might surprise you.
When Salt digs too deep, somebody travels to her farm and attacks her sheep herding dog, “Wonder.” After nursing the dog overnight, and then taking him to the Vet for stitches the next morning, Wonder eventually recovers and resumes his herding duties for Salt’s five sheep at her small farm and Pecan orchard. Later, another attempt is made on Salt’s life, but is able to escape.
There is much more to the story, including flashbacks to her father, a policeman who committed suicide when Salt was only ten years old. The character development is quite good, in my estimation, and the story does not suffer from too much description and detail. Dialogue is realistic, and the entire story is quite believable. I had trouble putting this book down after I got into it a bit. I really liked this book, and I would recommend it to those who enjoy police procedurals, especially realistic ones. Five stars for this one, and plans to read the first one of the “Salt” series for which this novel is a prequel: Out of the Blues.
April 20, 2018
A Police Procedural that Feels Real
Lil’ D, Dirty Red, Q-ball, Man. They aren’t the nicknames of anyone I know, but after reading The Policeman’s Daughter, it feels like I do. Boyce vividly brings to life the people and the setting of an area of Atlanta known as the Homes. It’s a tough, violent neighborhood and a difficult life, on the edge of poverty, ruled by a drug gang, forgotten by all…except Detective Sarah Alt, aka Salt. Salt patrols her beat with guts, with intelligence, and most of all, with compassion. But what part of that compassion represents her need to feel close to her father, a cop she found dead by his own hand when she was just ten? How far will she go to cling to that memory by walking in his shoes? It’s a tense ride, as Salt tries to come to grips with her past without sacrificing herself, her home, and those around her.
Boyce weaves the tale from ‘war stories’ on the job – talking a violent man into the wagon, watching kids play in a fire hydrant on a sweltering summer day in Atlanta. As a result, the book feels a bit slow at first. But soon, the plot centers around the murder of Shannell, a woman who does whatever is necessary to get her drug fix; and Stone, the violent lieutenant of the local drug gang. There are places where the story became somewhat muddled. At one point, Stone sets up Lil’ D to be arrested for drugs, but I wasn’t sure why. To establish his dominance? To test Lil’ D’s mettle? In another, a fellow policeman, Pepper got a flat tire. Or was it shot out? Was this supposed to be a warning, because if so, none of the police seemed to make the connection, except perhaps Salt. (And yes, the nicknames Salt and Pepper seemed a little too cute at first, but that bit of syrup is soon lost in the suspense.)
The Policeman’s Daughter is not the kind of mystery you can solve by paying attention to the subtle cues, and so, identify the killer before the author comes to the finale. Boyce, through a character, tells you that. It’s a world teetering on the edge of collapse, where anyone could have snapped and killed Shannell. Even so, the conclusion is a bit shocking. And in that ending, Boyce draws the themes of past vs. present, her father vs. the force to a satisfying conclusion. Only the apparently miraculous recovery of Salt’s eyesight seemed too convenient.
Overall, The Policeman’s Daughter is driven by Boyce’s rich depiction of life in the Homes and Salt’s growth as a person and a cop. It’s well worth the read.
Lil’ D, Dirty Red, Q-ball, Man. They aren’t the nicknames of anyone I know, but after reading The Policeman’s Daughter, it feels like I do. Boyce vividly brings to life the people and the setting of an area of Atlanta known as the Homes. It’s a tough, violent neighborhood and a difficult life, on the edge of poverty, ruled by a drug gang, forgotten by all…except Detective Sarah Alt, aka Salt. Salt patrols her beat with guts, with intelligence, and most of all, with compassion. But what part of that compassion represents her need to feel close to her father, a cop she found dead by his own hand when she was just ten? How far will she go to cling to that memory by walking in his shoes? It’s a tense ride, as Salt tries to come to grips with her past without sacrificing herself, her home, and those around her.
Boyce weaves the tale from ‘war stories’ on the job – talking a violent man into the wagon, watching kids play in a fire hydrant on a sweltering summer day in Atlanta. As a result, the book feels a bit slow at first. But soon, the plot centers around the murder of Shannell, a woman who does whatever is necessary to get her drug fix; and Stone, the violent lieutenant of the local drug gang. There are places where the story became somewhat muddled. At one point, Stone sets up Lil’ D to be arrested for drugs, but I wasn’t sure why. To establish his dominance? To test Lil’ D’s mettle? In another, a fellow policeman, Pepper got a flat tire. Or was it shot out? Was this supposed to be a warning, because if so, none of the police seemed to make the connection, except perhaps Salt. (And yes, the nicknames Salt and Pepper seemed a little too cute at first, but that bit of syrup is soon lost in the suspense.)
The Policeman’s Daughter is not the kind of mystery you can solve by paying attention to the subtle cues, and so, identify the killer before the author comes to the finale. Boyce, through a character, tells you that. It’s a world teetering on the edge of collapse, where anyone could have snapped and killed Shannell. Even so, the conclusion is a bit shocking. And in that ending, Boyce draws the themes of past vs. present, her father vs. the force to a satisfying conclusion. Only the apparently miraculous recovery of Salt’s eyesight seemed too convenient.
Overall, The Policeman’s Daughter is driven by Boyce’s rich depiction of life in the Homes and Salt’s growth as a person and a cop. It’s well worth the read.
April 21, 2018
The Policeman's Daughter is Sarah Alt, a 10 year veteran police officer who serves in The Homes, one of the worst parts of town in Atlanta Georgia. She is dedicated to her beat but some feel she may have been in that zone too long as she gets too personally involved with some of the residents. She raises sheep, has a dog named Wonder and doesn't have much of a social life. Sarah is called Salt by her fellow officers because her name on her shield says "S Alt". Her partner ion the beat is called Pepper. Sarah has some health issues due to being shot on the job but she tries to hide it so she doesn't lose her place in The Homes. Sarah also is haunted by hr father's death and suffers from nightmares.
I really liked The Policeman's Daughter. Even though it is a prequel, I felt like I was reading the first book in the series. Salt is a great strong woman character but she can take her dedication and stubbornness too far and I am not sure that is always a wise decision. Boyce's writing is terrific and she draws on her own experiences as a police officer in Atlanta for the book. I especially like how she handles dialogue. It feels like real speech and I could hear the voices of each character. Her descriptive passages make me feel like I am there. Sometimes it was a bit overwhelming to read about The Homes but I get the purpose to make readers aware of just how bad it is in these rundown districts. Don't worry, it is not always depressing. There is some light banter and a guy named Wills that provides some comedy relief and a little romance. I am pleased Boyce didn't let the romance take over the story as romantic suspense tends to do. Great book and I am looking forward to more in the Sarah Alt series!
I really liked The Policeman's Daughter. Even though it is a prequel, I felt like I was reading the first book in the series. Salt is a great strong woman character but she can take her dedication and stubbornness too far and I am not sure that is always a wise decision. Boyce's writing is terrific and she draws on her own experiences as a police officer in Atlanta for the book. I especially like how she handles dialogue. It feels like real speech and I could hear the voices of each character. Her descriptive passages make me feel like I am there. Sometimes it was a bit overwhelming to read about The Homes but I get the purpose to make readers aware of just how bad it is in these rundown districts. Don't worry, it is not always depressing. There is some light banter and a guy named Wills that provides some comedy relief and a little romance. I am pleased Boyce didn't let the romance take over the story as romantic suspense tends to do. Great book and I am looking forward to more in the Sarah Alt series!
January 13, 2018
Trudy Nan Boyce has created a compelling addition to the crime fiction canon with the indefatigable Sarah "Salt" Alt, the heroine of two previous tales before this latest, THE POLICEMAN'S DAUGHTER. In this prequel, we get an opportunity to see how Salt came to be. She's ten years into her career on the police force, and working The Homes, a low-income projects, with both toughness and compassion. When a murder takes place in The Homes, Salt can't simply pass the case on to the homicide detectives on scene. No, Salt has The Homes etched into her soul, and what happens there involves her to the core. Her dogged attempt to bring the killer to justice reminds me of Harry Bosch, one of the leading men in crime fiction. This series has that kind of chops, mostly due to Boyce's familiarity with the subject she writes (Boyce served 30 years in law enforcement herself). The supporting characters also add a great deal to this novel. The most fully drawn were Man Man, a local drug lord; Sister Connelly, matriarch of the projects; Lil D, a young street hood who Salt has a soft spot for because of an earlier failing on her part; Pepper, Salt's partner in crime; and Wills, the detective who works to capture not only the killer, but also Salt's heart. The ending brings forth a resolution that is both surprising and sad. A gut punch of an ending, for sure. I truly hope this garners Boyce some new fans. All lovers of crime fiction would be wise to jump aboard now.
March 3, 2018
Review of Uncorrected Proof
Atlanta Police Officer Sarah “Salt” Alt patrols one of the city’s poorest, most violent housing projects. Known as The Homes, it is here that Salt has worked for the last ten years.
Plagued with drugs, prostitution, and gangs, The Homes is a tough beat . . . one that Salt requested. Over the years, she’s come to know and care about the people who live here and when Shannell McCloud is murdered, she is compelled to find the culprit. But The Homes holds many secrets and some will do whatever is necessary to keep them hidden. Nevertheless, Salt persists in her efforts to solve Shannell’s murder, unaware of the true nature of the danger she faces.
The third in the Sarah Alt series, this gritty police procedural pulls no punches in its depiction of the day-to-day life of a beat cop. In a narrative peopled with strong, realistically-drawn characters, Salt is authentic, steeped in compassion and possessing a strong sense of morality; her backstory adds depth to the character and provides insight for readers. Sub-plots and unexpected twists keep the suspense building toward a stunning, unforeseen ending. Despite the uncompromising realism, readers will find it difficult to set this compelling tale aside before reaching the final page.
Recommended.
Atlanta Police Officer Sarah “Salt” Alt patrols one of the city’s poorest, most violent housing projects. Known as The Homes, it is here that Salt has worked for the last ten years.
Plagued with drugs, prostitution, and gangs, The Homes is a tough beat . . . one that Salt requested. Over the years, she’s come to know and care about the people who live here and when Shannell McCloud is murdered, she is compelled to find the culprit. But The Homes holds many secrets and some will do whatever is necessary to keep them hidden. Nevertheless, Salt persists in her efforts to solve Shannell’s murder, unaware of the true nature of the danger she faces.
The third in the Sarah Alt series, this gritty police procedural pulls no punches in its depiction of the day-to-day life of a beat cop. In a narrative peopled with strong, realistically-drawn characters, Salt is authentic, steeped in compassion and possessing a strong sense of morality; her backstory adds depth to the character and provides insight for readers. Sub-plots and unexpected twists keep the suspense building toward a stunning, unforeseen ending. Despite the uncompromising realism, readers will find it difficult to set this compelling tale aside before reaching the final page.
Recommended.
November 7, 2017
This was the first book I’ve read in the Detective Sarah Alt (Salt) series by Trudy Nan Boyce. And from what I understand it is a prequel to the series, because Salt is Officer Salt and not Detective Salt yet. But I suppose if you’re going to come in in the middle of a series, a prequel is a good place to start.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Officer Salt is trying to solve the murder of a drug-addicted sex worker, a low priority case but a victim she cares about, on her beat, one of the most crime-riddled areas of Atlanta. Salt is tenacious and caring, sympathetic, and a likable character. The book, the neighborhood, the situation, the frustration, and the hopelessness of the story feels very real and is believable.
I have a feeling quite a few of these characters will have roles to play in Det. Salt’s career. And honestly I hope they do. As a beat cop she is very attached to her beat and cares about its denizens. It will be interesting how that carries over into her career as a homicide detective, because I will definitely be reading the previous and future books in this series.
I read this book through Penguin’s First to Read program
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Officer Salt is trying to solve the murder of a drug-addicted sex worker, a low priority case but a victim she cares about, on her beat, one of the most crime-riddled areas of Atlanta. Salt is tenacious and caring, sympathetic, and a likable character. The book, the neighborhood, the situation, the frustration, and the hopelessness of the story feels very real and is believable.
I have a feeling quite a few of these characters will have roles to play in Det. Salt’s career. And honestly I hope they do. As a beat cop she is very attached to her beat and cares about its denizens. It will be interesting how that carries over into her career as a homicide detective, because I will definitely be reading the previous and future books in this series.
I read this book through Penguin’s First to Read program
May 20, 2018
The title grabbed my daughter of a retired policeman's curiosity. That fact of life experience, coupled with the desire and need to research modern police procedure as I switch genres from writing romance to murder mystery, made reading my first Trudy Nan Boyce novel an essential.
I knew without reading her bio that she had to have worn the badge and uniform. She put me in the patrol car and on the streets with the gun runners, gangs, and drug lords of Atlanta without rubbing my face in it. The inescapable violence played out in urban webs of complicated relationships, inevitably dark yet with glimmers of compassion, possibilities for future good, and a gnawing hope for justice.
Officer Sarah Alt's painful past and the act that led her to freely stare down danger daily would bubble up to the story's surface but stayed subtle and never heated to boil. The author dropped clues to her professional passion and personal seclusion like nuggets for the reader to discover.
A solid plot, believable characters, and an ending twist that hurts your heart describe a good read in any genre. Pen in "The Policeman's Daughter" toward the top of your summer reading list.
I knew without reading her bio that she had to have worn the badge and uniform. She put me in the patrol car and on the streets with the gun runners, gangs, and drug lords of Atlanta without rubbing my face in it. The inescapable violence played out in urban webs of complicated relationships, inevitably dark yet with glimmers of compassion, possibilities for future good, and a gnawing hope for justice.
Officer Sarah Alt's painful past and the act that led her to freely stare down danger daily would bubble up to the story's surface but stayed subtle and never heated to boil. The author dropped clues to her professional passion and personal seclusion like nuggets for the reader to discover.
A solid plot, believable characters, and an ending twist that hurts your heart describe a good read in any genre. Pen in "The Policeman's Daughter" toward the top of your summer reading list.
November 24, 2017
I realize I have no experience that would qualify me to judge whether this is a realistic account of police work, but it felt realistic, far more so than other books I've read in this genre. It was better written than usual, with a focus on character and neighborhood details and not action sequences. I really enjoyed Salt's character and thought process. This is the first book I've read in the series, and it worked because it's a prequel and didn't assume I knew anything about the characters. Salt is a smart, experienced cop, but didn't have any miracle epiphanies or happen to have a ridiculous level of expertise about random subjects. She just knows her beat and the people in her neighborhood. She's capable but not too stupid to ask for help when she needs it. She's more passionate and compassionate than average, but not enough to heedlessly break the rules and alienate everyone around her. She's a character I'd like to spend more time with, so I'll be looking into the series.
I got a copy to review from First to Read.
I got a copy to review from First to Read.
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