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Though billed as forensic accounting thriller, I found the book to be a little light on action and tension to merit the word 'thriller.' But our book's hero does have some moments where bad actors are closing in. Caught in the middle of someone else's fight, with doubtful allies from the government, the story does intrigue, and I was lucky to start reading it on a rainy Sunday because I got nothing else done once my nose was in this book. Recommended.

Alt-history: If Lincoln had been murdered before the civil war and the states brokered a deal to keep slavery alive in the US. Set more or less in the present day. The compromises people do or do not make with their own ethics and motivations are a big part of the story, which, is mysterious and layered and keeps winding deeper. It's a great story.

This is a re-read for me. It's a current-day spy novel, set in the greater London area and it's great fun. Mick Herron writes funny dialogue.

Winters does well covering political and legal aspects of US slavery and the domestic and international repercussions, but where he shines is in bringing to life the personal costs to those both inside and outside the "Hard Four" slave states and the violence that underlies it all.

Alternate history-- the US Civil War was averted and slavery continues into the current day. So far excellent characters slowly revealing themselves and a fascinating story.

There are two more books in the series and if you enjoyed the first book, you'll probably like all three. I felt compelled to get the second book right away, but forced myself to read something in between book 2 and 3 just to savor the last one all the more. Book 2 "Countdown City" and Book 3 "World of Trouble".

I enjoyed the writer's style and the story. This is a murder mystery, but it's set in a world under a death sentence from an approaching asteroid. This isn't a spoiler- there's an asteroid on the cover and you find out about it right away. So our hero goes about trying to solve the mystery in a world where everyone expects to be dead in less than a year. I enjoyed it very much and am now reading the third book in this series.