An attorney’s defense of his own mother in a murder trial exposes a dark world of deception in a gripping thriller by Chad Zunker, Amazon Charts bestselling author of Not Our Daughter and Family Money.

Twenty-six-year-old Denver attorney Josh King returns to Austin after his estranged mother, Lauren Snow—the city’s powerful mayor—is accused of murdering his wealthy stepfather. Though his relationship with Lauren is fractured, Josh wants to be there for his fragile younger sister, Kinsey.

But when he arrives, Josh is persuaded to defend his mother in court. Of course Lauren insists she’s innocent. Killing the man with the money and influence that could fuel her ambitions would be political suicide. She’s ruthless, not reckless. Then again, his mother built her career on smoke and mirrors, and Josh has no idea who she really is anymore or what she’s capable of doing. With camera-ready grief, she’s playing the role of victim to perfection. Josh is duty bound to believe every word she says.

When Josh uncovers a web of conspiracies and devastating family secrets, he’ll be forced to choose between justice and protecting the people he loves—even as he gets closer to the truth.

© 2026 by Chad Zunker. ℗ 2026 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.