Unanimous Verdict

Murder, mystery, history. These elements, flavored with racial tension, shades of the Confederacy and Supreme Court drama, make Unanimous Verdict an exciting, attention grabbing historical novel. It is 1954. A privileged young white private detective still trying to figure out his place in the world learns that top officials of the Washington, D.C. police are covering up a racially-motivated murder. His investigation takes him deep into the unfamiliar inner workings of the city's black community. It also brings him face-to-face with the ugly secrets of proud descendants of the Confederacy. Along the way, Neil encounters a number of memorable African-American characters - a rich society matron, a garrulous private detective and a militant Black Power advocate - as well as several stubborn racists, all of whom challenge his na ve assumptions about race. His investigation leads to the crucial Unanimous Verdict in the historic schools desegregation case at the Supreme Court.