The Fragile Edge

I would like to thank Netgalley and Kensington Books for an advance copy of The Fragile Edge, the sixth novel to feature Detective Jimmy Vega of the New York County Police.

Jimmy is in court facing a multimillion dollar civil lawsuit when a court officer, escorting a controversial judge, is shot by a sniper. Both Jimmy and the FBI assume that the judge was the intended target and they suspect white supremacists, angry over her judgements in immigration cases. A young twelve year old immigrant is the only person who can identify the sniper, but she has disappeared into the community.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Fragile Edge which is another fine addition to a great series. I’m not going to pretend that it has any relevance to my life or experience, but it touched me emotionally and held my attention throughout, so a resounding 5 stars.

The plot is interesting and compulsive with several interrelated strands. I enjoy a plot with a stranger killing where the detective starts with the entire world as a suspect and gradually narrows the focus as more evidence is uncovered. This novel does it well with false assumptions and a perceived lack of motive. I was hooked and just as I thought it was all over the author throws in another twist, which is probably the best of them all. I certainly didn’t see it coming. The compelling storyline is accompanied by a series of tense moments and action scenes. I even had to put the book down sometimes as I was so invested that I couldn’t bear the tension. As an aside the novel is well paced and continually interesting.

As a European I don’t know too much about race and immigration in America so this novel is an education on the struggles of immigrants and the organisational capacity of white supremacists. I don’t get the cruelty and exploitation of human beings, but it seems baked into the culture. I like the author’s clear eyed narrative and the way she incorporates it into the novel as part of the plot and the story rather than proselytising or lecturing. I think it has a greater impact.

I like Jimmy Vega, who is a very human character. He makes mistakes, but is always well intentioned and caring. The civil case is a case in point. He’s being sued for killing a criminal in a life or death situation. Incidentally, I loved the solution to this one, so kudos to the author for the imagination involved.

The Fragile Edge is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.