Annotation
"With the horrible remnants of a childhood tragedy forever visible across his otherwise handsome face, Joe Trona is scarred in more ways than one. Rescued from an orphanage by Will Trona, a charismatic Orange County politican who sensed his dark potential, Joe is swept into the maelstrom of power and intimidation that surrounds his adoptive father's illustrious career. Serving as Will's right-hand man, Joe is trained to protect and defend his father's territory - but can't save the powerful man from his enemies. Will Trona is murdered, and Joe will stop at nothing to find out who did it." "Looking for clues as he sifts through the remains of his father's life - his girlfriends, acquaintances, deals, and enemies - Joe comes to realize how many secrets Will Trona possessed, and how many people he had the power to harm. But two leads keep rising to the surface: a little girl who was kidnapped by her mentally disturbed brother, and two rival gangs who seem to have joined forces. As Joe deepens his investigation - and is forced to confront the painful events of his troubled childhood - these two seemingly disconnected threads will intersect."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Awards
2002 Edgar Awards (Edgar Allan Poe Awards)
2001 Los Angeles Times Book Prizes
Characters
| Name | Trona, Joe |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupations | Driver |
| Bodyguard | |
| Trait | Adopted |
| Name | Trona, Will |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Traits | Married |
| Adoptive father | |
| Charismatic | |
| Genre | Mystery --Detective, Amateur Psychological Suspense Fiction |
| Topics | Childhood trauma Adoption Fathers and sons Gangs Murder Kidnapping Missing children Family secrets |
| Setting | Orange County, California |