August Snow is a former Marine, police officer, and a product of a loving Mexican/African American family. He loves his hometown of Mexicantown, Detroit and hates seeing the decay, drugs, violence and corruption running through the city. He’s bought and renovated a number of houses on the street to bring them back to their former glory. After being fired by the police for uncovering high level corruption, August wins a $12 million lawsuit against the city for unfair termination. Traveling the world for year to regain his perspective and deal with his parents deaths, August yearns for his city. Upon his return, August receives a call from a wealthy and powerful businesswoman he worked with on a case. Eleanore Paget needs help uncovering what is going on at her investment bank. August turns her down because he’s not a private investigator or a detective. After Eleanore is found dead of “suicide” the next day, August is now on the case to solve her murder. Using his connections of friends, FBI, and local Detroit police he works to track a group of killers.
This is a non-stop rollicking read of violence, standing ones ground, helping the less fortunate, trying to be on the right side of the law while occasionally crossing the line is fantastic. August is an amazing character full of brains, brawn, charm, and self-depreciation. He’s humble and noble. His family and friends are his world and he’s not going down without a fight, make that a major battle, against the bad guys who are running a financial scheme to launder international terrorist money through reputable banks. There is so much story, background, inside knowledge of Detroit, along with lots of delicious food descriptions. This is the start of a great series.