The story contains plenty of authentic details and an array of colourful and scary characters that I could almost envision.

A key part of Burke’s trial defense turns on a narrow point in the law on hearsay, which, as Comey capably demonstrates, is much more permissive and flexible than the public generally understands. It’s a modern ‘good guys vs the bad guys’ story in which nearly all of the good ‘guys’ are actually strong, smart, steely women. Comey knows exactly how things work at the FBI and DOJ, and Central Park West opens a door into a fascinating and complex world of tradecraft, criminal investigation, political corruption, legal wrangling, and murder. Central Park West is a truly outstanding debut novel, a sophisticated and engaging legal thriller that grabs the reader from the opening scene and doesn’t let go until the surprising ending. Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Dominic “The Nose” D’Amico has penetrating green eyes.Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO But I had to look up the garden-like Pomander Walk to see if it was a real place.

Drawing on James Comey’s thirty years in federal law enforcement, Central Park West is a fast-paced thriller, bursting with tension and authenticity – perfect for fans of John Grisham. If anyone knows anything about working for the US District Attorney's office along with the SDNY and the FBI, as well as its most innerworkings, it's Comey. When we first meet Nora Carleton and Benny Dugan, they are in the middle of a high-stakes trial that will see a prominent criminal put away for a long time. There are also a couple of unexpected twists, and an ending I didn’t see coming (not unusual for me).

When the former mayor of NYC is murdered the prosecution naturally goes after his ex-wife but when new evidence comes about. I was pleasantly impressed with Central Park West, it has all the elements of a great crime/legal thriller and it all worked so well together. This turns out to be a suspenseful, believable story, very worthy of a continuing series, if Comey chooses to reunite this team in the future.

Memorable characters, a gripping plot, and breathless pacing combine for a truly outstanding debut—one that announces a bold new talent in the mystery genre.Federal prosecutor Nora Carleton has spent years building a case against a powerful New York mobster.

With a drastic change coming to her personal life and an attempt to process everything taking place, Nora will have to find a way to convict the accused and bring this mess to a close before anyone else dies.I didn’t need to know the address of every courthouse in Manhattan, but that is an insignificant quibble.