cover image Lost River

Lost River

J. Todd Scott. Putnam, $27 (448p) ISBN 978-0-7352-1294-7

In this powerful standalone from Scott (the Texas Border series), the arrival of new, fentanyl-laced heroin from Mexico has led to an unprecedented number of overdoses in the small town of Angel, Ky. EMT-in-training Trey Dorado, the son of a cop, sees the devastating impact first-hand every day, including the death of the former police chief’s wife. Dorado, who consoles himself with the knowledge he’s saved a few lives and is haunted by the rest, is called to a bloody scene at the Glasser family compound in a nearby town. Most of the bullet-riddled bodies are members of the notorious Glasser clan, which has held sway in the region for generations, making the natural transition from moonshine to marijuana, methamphetamines, and now heroin. DEA special agent Casey Alexander, who has ghosts of her own following a traumatic assignment in the Southwest, enlists Dorado to help navigate the complex case, which has deep ties to the local community. Scott, a 25-year veteran of the DEA, writes with authority about the drug crisis. Don Winslow fans won’t want to miss this wrenching thriller. Agent: Carlisle Webber, CK Webber Assoc. (June)