Chao C Chien

The DA Chao C Chien

Success is built upon the skeletons of those who have failed, the saying goes. Better yet, victories are built upon the skeletons of the defeated.

DA Hadley Hickman took no prisoners. Ruthless but brilliant, she was arguably the winningest DA St. Paul ever had. Her colleagues respected and admired her, but her rivals feared her. Those that had been crushed by her, well, they did not know how they felt. They were either in prison or dead.

While handling a drug case in coordination with the St. Paul Police Department, two controversial cases fell into her purview. One was a sensational murder that she must win, the other a case of sexual assault involving children that she coveted. These were not easy prosecutions by any means, but they promised to thrust her into the media spotlight and could do wonders for her political aspirations. She took on both.

Of course, DA Hickman did not do all by herself. She had a full staff support, and the help of Detective Dennis Koslovich, who would step in and handle her more tricky problems. By tricky, you know what I mean. Maybe sticky is a better word. Like anything else, law and order are no difference. When Hadley had difficulties, the type that law books somehow failed to address, Det. Koslovich would step in.

Oh, and there is Detective Nils Gunnarsson and his protégé Arnold too.

But does the end really justify the means? Can DA Hickman just roll over everything and everybody and get away with it, those guilty and innocent?

This is a story of their travails. It is also about what excessive ambition may yield. Hard-driving, relentless, and exciting, this is one novel you must read. Fast-paced and full of action. You'll love it.