Under Color of Law is a dark, gritty, no holds barred crime novel that shines a spotlight on corruption and systemic racism within the Los Angeles Police Department. Aaron Philip Clark has written a book that’s equal parts entertaining and important. A significant and thought provoking read for the times we’re living in.
When a black police recruit turns up dead, Detective Trevor “Finn” Finnegan is assigned the case with orders to make this a top priority. As the investigation unfolds, Finn, who is also black, is forced to navigate a minefield of racial justice protests, police department politics, and his own past actions in order to find justice for the murdered recruit. Finn’s complicated past and present collide, muddying his future prospects and putting him in dangerous situations that may cost him his career or even his life.
Fans of crime thrillers, and the work of Michael Connolly specifically, should absolutely pick up a copy of Under Color of Law. There are definite Harry Bosch vibes in this book with parallels between Detective Finnigan and Detective Bosh working doggedly to get justice for the underserved while fighting against the system. That being said, this book stands on its own merit through the viewpoint of a black detective probing the depths of systemic racism in policing, the lengths to which the police brotherhood will go to unconditionally cover for their own, and this detectives own struggles, motivations and complicity within the system that’s beyond simple repair. As a result, Aaron Philip Clark has delivered a novel that feels like nonfiction, holding up a mirror to society and policing in this country and asking difficult questions through the actions of the characters within its pages.
Chock full of suspense, intrigue, societal issues and conflict, this noir whodunit novel brings the high hard heat with the start of a new series that promises to hit hard topics head on. A really good book that makes you think and sticks with you after completion. I’m excited to see how thriller fans react to Under Color of Law and can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment.
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