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When Jake Dalton steps down from his plum career as lead detective at LAPD after a bank robbery gone lethal, he looks for solace in his rural hometown. Life soon takes an interesting turn as Jake assumes the role of police chief in Fairview, Oklahoma, with a diminutive staff of four officers. He’s happy to leave big-city crime behind but wonders if life will become too tame in a one-horse town.
When a Chinese syndicate uses counterfeit paperwork and assistance from a local real estate agent to build a legitimate medical cannabis grow operation as a profitable cover for more nefarious activities such as human trafficking and money laundering, Jake’s big-city background comes in handy. The tough-as-nails female manager is a cagey, sophisticated opponent but not out of Dalton’s league. To complicate matters, a local biker gang intensifies its illicit activities to drive the newcomers out, prompting Jake and his staff to pay them a visit. Meanwhile, Samantha, the attractive hostage who survived the violent LA bank robbery, looks up the long-time bachelor lawman, a situation that rattles his equilibrium.
Fast pacing, a timely, multi-layered plot, minimalist prose, and authorship by a former LAPD officer lend authenticity to this compelling crime thriller title. Bultema crafts a plausible story with complex character interactions. He skillfully amplifies the tale with a series of treacherous business dealings that begin to erode the moral fiber of Fairview citizens. Jake assumes leadership with his characteristic thoughtful and professional demeanor, but he’s grossly underestimated by the FBI and has to prove his fitness as the two agencies partner to deal with local and international gangsters. The twist of romance adds a savory yet grounding element to Jake's life, providing some relief from the tension of the many violent encounters that keep readers turning pages.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review