Caldwell provides readers with a persuasive, in-depth look at the justice system, plus behind-the-scenes dealmaking at the upper echelons of power. As Jake fights to be heard as the principled new guy on the board, Caldwell builds suspense with convincingly detailed scenes from the life of a trial lawyer. From getting witness accounts and making deals with informants to making sure that those being persecuted are receiving a fair deal, Cost of Malice, for all its sweep and attention to the complexities and breakdowns of systems, boasts ample tension, plot twists, and feeling. Caldwell keeps the focus human, even when the legal wrangling gets complex, especially in the most wrenching of Jake’s cases, that of an 11-year-old who has seemingly been kicked to death.

Justice, compassion, an insider’s knowledge, and a conversational tone power the narrative, as Jake tries to balance between his personal and professional life and morals. The story’s length and richness sometimes come at the cost of narrative momentum, but the court scenes move with brisk authority.

Takeaway: Rich, sweeping legal thriller of a prosecutor striving to do good.

Comparable Titles: Robin Peguero’s With Prejudice, James Chandler’s Sam Johnstone series.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A