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by R. E. Hayes (Author)
Young Indiana cop Holly Bagley battles personal tragedy, social tension, and a complex partnership in a high-stakes hate crime investigation. Their quest for justice spirals into a shocking climax. A timely novel inspired by BALLARD, a Michael Connelly creation.
DUPED In AMERICA unfolds in 2017, and we meet Holly Bagley, a 23-year-old rookie cop in a tranquil Midwest Southern Indiana college town. Her uncomplicated life belies the longing she harbors for her Marine sweetheart, deployed in Afghanistan. Dealing with the sudden loss of her mother, she finds little solace in her father, a fellow officer on the force whose political beliefs starkly contrast with hers.
The tranquility of Farmington shatters when a chase involving a stolen car leads to a fatal accident, tragically claiming the life of Detective Garry Henderson's teen son, Denny. Amidst his grief, Henderson is faced with the shocking revelation of his son fathering a child out of wedlock. Chief Karl Jacobs tasks Holly and Henderson to work together on a chilling case involving a potential hate crime against Black students.
The unlikely duo must navigate their personal grief, a 25-year age gap, and the racial divide that stands between them. Their partnership is further tested by the small-town social pressures that simmer during the era of Donald Trump. DUPED In AMERICA is a riveting exploration of contrasting perspectives, generational and racial dynamics, and the intricate fabric of small-town America.
As their search for the perpetrator intensifies, they are led down a path of horror and violence that forever alters the course of Holly's life. This gripping tale is as much about Holly's surprising journey as it is about the pursuit of justice in a divided society. DUPED In AMERICA is a poignant reflection on the complexities of our world, the impact of our choices, and the unexpected alliances formed in our quest for truth.
