A Detective Harriet Foster Thriller” by Tracy Clark
‘Edge: A Detective Harriet Foster Thriller’ by Tracy Clark; Thomas & Mercer; 332 pages; $16.99
“Edge” assumes various meanings in Tracy Clark’s superb fourth police procedural featuring Chicago police detective Harriet Foster.
Harriet is on the edge, worrying about her career as she is still a suspect in the murder of a corrupt cop who killed her police partner. She is forever on the edge, mourning the death of her intelligent son, a grief that will never go away. Chicago is on edge because of a new lethal designer drug whose victims have been those who are not drug addicts.
“Edge” also shows two families on edge. A cop must deal with the fact that his bright, seemingly innocent niece almost overdosed on Edge. The other is a longtime crime family who has ruled the South Side for generations, but is now fraying.
Clark pulls these plot tendrils into a cohesive story that delves deep into police investigations and the vagaries of Chicago.
On her day off, Harriet sees two teenagers who have overdosed in a locked city park. The boy has died; the girl is barely alive. Harriet reaches the ambulance in time to save 19-year-old college student Ella Byrne. Ella, who has never been in trouble before, is the niece of Harriet’s colleague, detective Matt Kelley.
Ella lives, but this is the start of a series of fatalities that will include a new mother and a group of blue-collar drinking buddies. Edge is being produced by the Gamons crime family, who have been losing their power. A drug that kills its customers isn’t good for business.
Harriet and the squad intensify their investigation into the origins of Edge, but they also must keep an eye on Matt, who tries to take over. Matt has been told that his involvement is a conflict of interest and that he cannot be objective. The detectives balance reigning in Matt with trying to stop Edge.
Clark delivers a gripping police procedural that is wide in scope but very centered on her core characters. The dynamic among the multiracial police squad and Harriet, who is Black, adds to the plot.
Chicago’s DNA permeates “Edge,” as Clark takes the reader to various neighborhoods, from the upscale to those in transition.
Crisp dialogue punctuates the story as Clark richly shows how people actually talk to each other, from the police colleagues to families in distress. Clark balances serious conversations with wry humor, which is how people often deal with stress.
Clark continues to shape Harriet, whose ongoing grief is a part of her soul. Her professionalism and intelligence further enhance “Edge.”
Meet the author
I will be moderating a discussion with Tracy Clark as part of the Palm Beach County Library System’s Writers LIVE! program at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the Hagen Ranch Road Library, 14350 Hagen Ranch Road, Delray Beach. The event is free, but registration is required. Visit pbclibrary.org/writers-live or call 561-894-7500.
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