University City

When a bomb levels an entire block in a gentrifying Philadelphia neighborhood, killing dozens of people days before Christmas, all signs point to terrorism. But who did it? And why? Veteran Philadelphia Police Detective Frank Benson and Sergeant Ophelia Brown-Thurman are long on questions and short on answers.

Meanwhile, the high-profile racketeering trial of a crooked union official begins. It is a case in which Benson, despite his best efforts, is selected to serve on the jury-and which turns out to have disturbing links to the deadly bombing.

Benson and Brown-Thurman's investigation leads them into the underground snake pit of right-wing extremists still raging over the outcome of the 2020 election, and eager to lash out. As they race to determine a motive and unmask the culprit, another, deadlier conspiracy brews-one that puts the new President-elect in the crosshairs.

In this third installment of the Frank Benson and Ophelia Brown-Thurman mystery series, author and Philly native Neal Goldstein weaves a riveting tale of malice and mayhem around real-life events. It's a story about a divided America where heroic public servants will do whatever it takes to defend the city, and the nation, that they love.