In this twisted journey into the shadows of the Golden Gate, an inspector and an FBI agent must track down the source of an unknown drug, but their attraction and their own secrets keep getting in the way.
The streets of San Francisco aren’t as sunny as the city pretends they are. Inspector Lennon Gray has learned this the hard way, and it’s starting to wear on her. When a new case plunges her into the depths of the transient community, Lennon must once again face ugly truths about humanity.
Her new partner makes things a little easier, though.
Agent Ambrose Mars is charming—innocent, somehow, despite his own hard years in the field. The combination leaves Lennon fascinated and disturbed at the same time, and she’s even more drawn to him for it.
As they investigate the hallucinogenic drug that’s forcing homeless citizens into bizarre and dangerous role-plays, Lennon and Ambrose find their relationship intensified with every new twist. But when these revelations begin to uncover secrets she wasn’t prepared to know, Lennon will have to decide how much more she can take…before something important is taken from her.
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My Review
Set in the heart of San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, this timely and thought-provoking novel sheds light on the stark realities of extreme homelessness and the darker side of experimental treatments for PTSD. Against this backdrop of desperation and vulnerability, police investigator Lennon Gray is thrust into a case that challenges her both professionally and personally. The story begins with Lennon being called to investigate a horrific triple murder, where the victims also appear to be the perpetrators. The crime scene reveals unsettling evidence: the individuals seem to have participated in a chaotic “orgy” fueled by a potent combination of psychedelic drugs and chemicals designed to heighten aggression.
At the scene, Lennon encounters Agent Ambrose, an enigmatic figure from the FBI. Despite her initial reluctance to work with him, she finds herself both wary of and mysteriously drawn to her new partner. Their uneasy alliance grows as they uncover deeper layers of the case, which is tied to a secretive and controversial study involving regression therapy for PTSD. This experimental approach, designed to address trauma stemming from childhood abuse and neglect, involves orchestrated scenarios using illicit drug cocktails.
While one faction, led by a well-intentioned but desperate doctor, pursues these methods in secret to avoid bureaucratic hurdles, another, more sinister force manipulates the process to deadly effect. The ethical boundary between innovation and exploitation becomes a central tension as Lennon and Ambrose race to uncover who is tampering with the treatments and triggering a wave of violence.
The novel masterfully weaves its narrative through complex themes of trauma, morality, and the challenges of navigating human vulnerability in a world of scientific ambition and systemic failure. Flashbacks provide insight into the characters’ motivations and histories, though they demand careful attention to track the intertwining storylines.
With its realistic portrayal of social and psychological struggles, this gripping novel confronts the grim realities of our modern era, blending suspense with a sensitive exploration of human resilience and ethical dilemmas. The result is a powerful and unsettling story that lingers long after the final page.
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