This is not an easy book to read. It deals with a difficult and ugly subject, and it doesn't at all shy away from the ugliness - or the fact that there are no easy answers to the questions it raises.The story opens with Jacob, a high school basketball star with everything to look forward to, until he crosses the path of a police officer who's looking for trouble, whether it's there or not. The officer intends to put the fear of God (and the police department) into the young man, and that sets off a chain of events that ends with lives wrecked, and a father seeking justice.The author takes the topic of police brutality (and the system of police unions, prosecutors and politicians) head on. But he's also honest about showing how and why it can happen, and the nearly impossible job society asks the police to undertake. The author does all this while also telling a good, fast-moving story, with well-drawn and believable characters.One warning: when I say that the book takes its subject head on, I mean that the scenes of police brutality are difficult to read. The blood and the violence are less shocking than the glimpse into the mindset of the officer causing it, and I think it's one of the most chilling things that I've ever read.When I was finished, the book lingered on with me - wrestling with the problems that the author shines a light on, and considering the pros and cons of the solution his protagonist settles on to try and make things better. I definitely applaud the author for handling such an explosive subject honestly, fairly, and telling a compelling story while he's at it. highly recommended.