This is the third Nora Carlton book and I was excited to read it. In this one the criminal is a an extremist podcaster and this felt apt and not a little scary. These are such well paced books - I read it in a sitting - but I also love the writing. The setting is great and the dialogue really brings the characters alive. ‘Like a working mom bringing down bad man’ is going to be my new catchphrase!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy. I hope Jame Comey is well into writing the next one.

Thanks to James and Netgalley for allowing me to read FDR Drive prior to the publication date.
This is the third book in the series, but can be read as a standalone novel.
Don’t be put off by the prologue which describes a bomb attack and is definitely not for the feint hearted.

It involves topical and controversial current day issues (Social media, influencers, 2 tier policing etc.)
The description of how vulnerable, disenfranchised people can be radicalised by influencers is interesting.

Sam Buchanan is a right wing broadcaster who, choosing his words carefully, uses his programs to spout vitriol and stir up hatred among his followers. (Buchanan’s character uses language which immediately conjured up images of a certain American politician).
When the people he has verbally attacked are murdered, Buchanan claims to have no responsibility and that he was just exercising his right to free speech.
The author has included details about the various departments within Homeland Security and the Justice Dept.
However I think that providing a basic reporting structure outwith the story would have been less distracting for the reader.

FDR Drive is a thought provoking legal thriller set in the USA of Trump and MAGA. Several murders are linked to a right wing radio personality. His followers were clearly behind the crimes but can US Attorneys make the case that his word made him legally liable?

The legal arguments raise issues around free speech and bring some difficult discussions into play. The novel is realistic although a little over detailed in places. \not having read the first two novels in the series, this still worked well as a standalone thriller.

This is another brilliant book about Nora and her team. Nora is now back in New York, and they are trying to make a case against an influencer who is directing his followers to kill people he disagrees with. This is just the tip of the iceberg of a more complex plot. The book starts with a shooting, then tells the story about how it happened. As the book progresses, you start to realise who has been shot, and need to keep reading to find out what happens afterwards. It is a really good writing trick and really increases the tension.
Lovely to see all these characters again, and see the next stages in their personal and professional lives.
Highly recommended.

This is the third Nora Carleton and Benny Dugan police procedural by James Comey and by far the best as it takes the reader down the rabbit hole of right wing conspiracy theorists before posing the question of how responsible should they be if their followers attack, kill or main people whose views they do not agree with.

The by play between the two main characters is as sharp as ever and their private loves are also well explored.

Comey's deep first hand knowledge of the workings of the various competing departments within homeland security also comes to the fore and make this an informed as well as exciting read which combines internal politics, legal ethics, action and courtroom drama.

Highly recommended.