Forsaken Oath

a Dana Hargrove legal mystery

Climbing the career ladder, prosecutor Dana Hargrove is the new chief of a major trial bureau in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Years in the courtroom have earned Dana the respect and admiration of her juniors and peers. A few tough wins have also sparked the envy—and contempt—of certain members of the defense bar.

In the summer of 2001, Dana’s plans for a well-deserved family vacation are interrupted by a few high profile cases that demand her attention. A renowned fashion designer is murdered in his posh Upper East Side townhome. An inmate, serving state time for felony murder, says the D.A. wrongly withheld evidence at his trial. A professional con man, the mastermind of a reverse mortgage scam, is blamed for leading a younger man into a life of crime. As the mysteries in these cases unfold, a common, unsavory design comes to light—Dana is the victim of a personal attack.

A scurrilous media campaign can be endured, but when a criminal scheme touches Dana’s family, she must strike back. In Forsaken Oath, Dana confronts the greatest challenge yet to her professional integrity as she fights to protect her good name and the sanctity of her family life.

“We’re suing you for false arrest—after we get through this circus in the grand jury. We’ll make our record there. And look out, young man. This is my advice. Talk to Hargrove about this case. It isn’t going to look pretty for her.”

— from Forsaken Oath