Betrayed

A massive backstory slows Tanenbaum's 22nd novel featuring New York City district attorney Roger "Butch" Karp and his crime-busting family (after Capture). The plot takes too long to build up a head of steam, and once on course simply waddles straight ahead with little in the way of twists and turns. Butch is prosecuting Sharif Jabbar, last seen in Escape, who's facing trial for his part in an attack on the New York Stock Exchange. Meanwhile, Butch's wife, Marlene Ciampi, steps in to defend Dirty Warren, a friend of Butch's who owns the newsstand in front of Manhattan's Criminal Courts Building. Dirty has been arrested for killing an escort service owner. A murderous judge and a retired CIA man known as the Fixer also figure in the action. Readers familiar with the ongoing characters will enjoy the book far more than those who are dipping their toes into the Karp pool for the first time. (July)