Central Park West: A Crime Novel
The gripping crime fiction debut from former FBI director James Comey takes readers deep inside the world of lawyers and investigators working to solve a murder while navigating the treacherous currents of modern politics and the mob.
When a years-long case against a powerful mobster finally cracks and an unimpeachable witness takes the stand, federal prosecutor Nora Carleton is looking forward to putting the defendant away for good. The mobster, though, has other plans. As the witness's testimony concludes, a note is passed to the prosecution offering up information into the assassination of a disgraced former New York governor, murdered in his penthouse apartment just days before. It's enough to blow the case wide open, and to send Nora into a high-stakes investigation of conspiracy, corruption, and danger.
Drawing from the author's decades in federal law enforcement, including his years in Manhattan as a mob prosecutor and later the chief federal prosecutor, Central Park West is a fast-paced legal thriller with an intriguing plot enriched by real-life details and experiences. That unique perspective gives the novel much of its allure, but it's the unforgettable characters, shocking twists, and courtroom scenes as authentic as they are dramatic that will leave readers looking forward to more from this bold new talent in the genre.
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Community Reviews
There are two sub plots to start off with. There is a murder, the victim, the NYS governor. It seems likely that the perpetrator is someone who knew him well, leaving his estranged wife as the number one suspect. Federal Prosecutor, Nora Carleton, is preparing to try high ranking organized crime figures in a huge case that has taken years to bring to trial. The Defendant, ”The Nose”, shakes up the proceedings by claiming he knows who killed the governor. Saying that it’s one of his associates .
What ensues is a conflict between federal investigators and the NYPD in a battle for authority and power.
I was hooked from the start. Murders, mafia and twists galore. A fascinating read with really strong characters. Given the ending, it would be fitting to turn this story into a series, considering the potential for further exploration of who is now in charge of the State of New York and how they achieved that position. I hope Central Park West is successful and develops into a series, as the entire story was unique, original, and deserving of further development.
This was a four well-earned stars for Central Park West. Thanks to NetGalley, Penzler Publishers/Mysterious Press and the Author, James Comey for this exciting read.
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