At New York's Sundown prison, two cell mates, convicted political activist Gail Rubin and former Bolton, Tex., police officer Diane Wellman, discover a mutual interest in absolution and escape. In this nimbly written nail-biter, Wozencraft (Rush
) explores the boundaries separating—and the bonds uniting—those who break the law and those who enforce it. Gail has spent 18 years in the can for being a member of Free Now, a fringe group whose Philadelphia bank robbery resulted in several deaths. After her request for parole is denied, 44-year-old Gail faces 12 more years behind bars. Diane, a 24-year-old police officer, was framed for drug possession after objecting to the bogus murder conviction of a local drug addict, now sitting on death row. A former undercover narcotics officer, Wozencraft is known for her gritty characters and razor-sharp prose. She's a champ at suspense, too: tensions run high after a daring jailbreak, as fleet-footed fugitives Gail and Diane test the boundaries of trust. With the help of folks from Gail's revolutionary days, the pair manages to remain one step ahead of the law. While Gail sets her mind to the straight-and-narrow, Diane is determined to settle old scores in Texas. The loose ends of Wozencraft's plot may tie up a bit too easily, but her knack for nonstop action will keep readers engaged from the very first page. Agent, Betsy Lerner
. (Sept.)
