McMorrow returns to the city to talk to his editor about the possibility of doing some stringing (freelance writing) for the Times. While he is there overnight, he has a drink with a bitter Butch. Butch’s wife, Leslie, was shot and killed ten years ago during a carjacking. After the arrest, a key witness became afraid to testify and Butch met with her to ease her fears. The D.A., now mayor, John Fiore, felt this tainted the case and the accused man was released. McMorrow covered the case for the Times, which caused the controversy. Butch left the force and McMorrow headed for Maine.

Time doesn’t seem to have healed Butch: he is as bitter as ever. He promises he is going to hand Jack the story of a lifetime. He arranges to deliver a package to Jack’s hotel. The two part company and the next time Jack sees Butch is on the news the next day, charged with the murder of Mayor Fiore.

The city is outraged. Fiore was a very popular mayor who had been credited with cleaning up the streets of the city and making them safe for its residents. Jack is sought out by the police because he was with Butch shortly before the murder occurred. Jack cannot believe his friend would have committed an act like this and believes the key to this is in the envelope.

Jack instantly becomes branded by the public as an accomplice. He is also being followed by several different people, only one of which Jack is certain is the police looking out for him. Jack begins receiving threats, and then Roxanne receives threats in Maine. He must work quickly to put the same pieces together, before anyone has a chance to make good on their threats.

Cover Story is a tightly-written, exciting tale of corruption in City Hall. The suspects are evident early on, but their motives are not as clear at first. The biggest surprise comes at the end.

The setting is well drawn, from City Hall Park to the Red Hook section of Brooklyn. The residents of the city vary from not caring who Jack is and ignoring him as he wanders the streets to the opposite extreme, the people who wish to see him jailed along with Butch.

Tension is created as Jack methodically works through the contents of the envelope, interviewing victims and their attackers while he tries to stay one step ahead of his attackers. Jack is also wrestling with his old life and lover and a question: is he truly happy with his new life, or is the longing to be back in the city strong enough to keep him there permanently.

Gerry Boyle has created a believable setting filled with realistic characters that you want to root for and want things to turn out for everyone, even though there must be some losers. Cover Story is a suspenseful read that offers an interesting story about the administration of one of the largest cities in the world.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry