Two U.S. soldiers, serving on a foreign base in the Middle East are stopped by MPs after a night of drunken celebration. One of the soldiers, Joe, tries to escape, ducking into a hangar where he comes in contact with an unknown substance. Jailed soon after for unacceptable conduct, Joe becomes deathly ill and goes to sickbay. Days after the boozy incident, the soldier's family learns that he has died as a result of an "accident".
Sandi is heartbroken at the loss of Joe, her idolized older brother. She convinces herself that she must keep going and finish her law degree in her brother's honor. To pay the bills, she begins an internship at a Philadelphia law firm. Her new boss, Len, is a hot-shot lawyer with a high media profile. Len takes on the whistleblower case of a scientist who works for Vectelon, a major defense contractor. Mark, the scientist, alleges that the company not only makes toxic biological agents, but sells them abroad.
When Len asks Sandi to research details of the case, she learns that Vectelon makes use of the sovereign nation status of a Native American tribe as a coverup. Working from a lab on tribal lands Mark claims the company manufactures, and ships lethal materials overseas. When the tribe becomes aware that they are being manipulated, they take to the streets of Washington D. C, protesting the company's action.
Payback for the whistleblower is steep. Soon after leaving the company, he is arrested on drug charges. Being held at a very high bail, he languishes in jail. Mark's colleague seeking to provide documentation on the case to Len, his lawyer, is murdered.
For Sandi the case becomes personal after she learns that her brother's death wasn't caused by an accident When Joe's soldier buddy looks her up, Sandi discovers that her brother's death on foreign soil may have come about as a result of contact with a lethal biological agent.
With a law school friend along for the ride, Sandi begins a journey that takes her to the heart of the matter. Following the facts of the case, she decides to travel to the reservation. Under the cover of darkness, she sees firsthand that bio-agents have been manufactured and shipped from the reservation. Closer to the truth, she becomes all too aware that there are dire consequences for those who know too much. And Len, her mentor, pays with his life in what authorities mistakenly come to label a suicide.
About the Author :
Recently retired from a satisfying career at the Free Library of Philadelphia, Lee Fishman currently divides her time between writing fiction and counseling women as they look to re-enter the workforce. With a BA from Temple University and an MS from Drexel's School of Information, Lee supports free access to information for all people. She lives in Center City Philadelphia with her husband
Review :
Raw Deal is a gripping thriller that subverts your expectations all the way through. Lee Fishman has
crafted a gritty and realistic tale of corporate greed, corruption, murder, and injustice that keeps you
on the edge of your seat throughout the story. Fast-paced and thoroughly absorbing, the narrative
draws you in from the very first few pages and keeps you hooked with unexpected twists and turns
of the plot. Every character is well-developed and has their own agency in their actions and motives.
As a reader, you find yourself rooting for Sandi to get back at those whose actions led to the death of
her brother. This is a must-read for thriller enthusiasts who love stories with suspense, intrigue, and
compelling character work.
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