Black Orchid

Only combat soldiers get to experience adrenalin rushes to the extent that cops do, particularly New Orleans cops. Only combat soldiers experience the same camaraderie and know the senseless destruction of life in the same close-up, in-your-face manner as do cops and prosecutors. For combat soldiers it is over in a few years. For cops, it is a lifestyle. It is these people who gradually become addicted to the adrenalin flow and to the sense of responsibility over life and death that it gives them. Even in their moments away from such situations, their thoughts remain concentrated on them. They become incapable of allowing loved ones to penetrate the fortresses they have built inside to protect against the pain and disgust they experience daily.

New Orleans homicide cop Nick Saladino used to be an idealist. But exposure to the city’s underbelly has left him jaded and cynical. He substitutes nightlife and alcohol for a home life with his wife and children, eroding their love and leading to inevitable personal consequences. His close friend and drinking buddy, Assistant D.A. Steve Chaisson, never had a love life before taking up with the woman of his dreams: educated, gorgeous, sexy, loving Julie Landry. But Steve senses that keeping her in his life would be like caging a beautiful exotic animal.

When Nick becomes aware of a serial killer buried deep in the workings of the city’s criminal justice system—someone with ties to many prominent citizens—the two friends must bind together to ferret out the killer without alerting the city’s powerful politicians who can stop their investigation and their careers.

Gritty and hard-hitting, a realistic if sometimes profane thrill ride down dark streets and around highly unusual corners in the Big Easy.