The Policeman’s Daughter

Boyce’s captivating third novel featuring Atlanta PD officer Sarah “Salt” Alt (after 2017’s Old Bones) is a prequel about how Salt became a detective that introduces a cast of multidimensional characters that bring the gritty neighborhood to life. Salt, still a beat cop, is working one of the toughest beats in the city, an area called the Homes. During a routine traffic stop, she is shot in the head, giving her prolonged eyesight problems. She starts to see double and even has what appear to be visions, but she hides the injury to avoid being taken off the street. When Shannell, a crack addict and sex worker Salt knows, is murdered, Salt can’t let the investigation rest, even though she’s not a detective and the case has immediately gone cold. Salt chases leads that result in conflict between her and the local gang. This taut, authentic depiction of life as a female beat cop will resonate with crime fiction fans. Agent: Nat Sobel, Sobel Weber Associates. (Feb.)