The Patrolman (Detective Lacey, #1)

THE CITY IS BURNING

Los Angeles, June 1943. The Zoot Suit Riots tear through the streets. Young Latinas are being strangled and dumped like trash. The newspapers call him the Zoot Suit Strangler. He's still hunting.

Jake Lacey is a disgraced cop with four days to crack the case or lose everything. One murder stands between him and the detective's badge that could save his family - if the killer doesn't destroy him first.

June Hartsfield built her nightclub on stolen money and dirty secrets. She recognizes the killer. But revealing his identity means exposing the corrupt cops who want her dead.

Mr. Slate breaks his own code to save a girl - and becomes the most wanted man in California. Now he's running out of time to protect her.

THE CLOCK IS TICKING

As the riots escalate and bodies pile up, their paths collide in the burning heart of Los Angeles. The killer sets deadlines. Corrupt cops close in. And in a city where everyone has blood on their hands, the price of justice might be more than any of them can pay.

This work reflects the language and societal norms of the period. Some terms and attitudes may offend by today’s standards, but were included to preserve historical authenticity.