In Laws of Wrath, Detectives Phee Freeman and Quincy Cavanaugh are enjoying their two months of paid leave after solving the Deggler case which exhausted them physically and mentally. However, their relaxing time is cut short when Phee’s transvestite older brother, A.J., is brutally killed. Despite his strained relationship with A.J., Phee is determined to work on the case and stop the killer. It turns out that similar cases had occurred three years ago in Queens supposedly by disbanded cult. Author Eriq La Salle captures the darkest parts of human society, the ones we try to correct – not necessarily in the proper way – and often try to hide or ignore.

Readers are tempted with great curiosity with the introduction of Dr. Dalia Zibik who arrives at Bedford Hills, a female maximum-security prison, together with other new inmates. Described as a plain average woman, we wonder how this character ends up in prison and how is she going to fend for herself when Queenie, a dominant inmate, already picked the doctor as her plaything. Without revealing any spoiler, it is suffice to say that Zibik will surprise us. It also shows that La Salle knows how to create a suspenseful twist. The writing style is faultless and straightforward yet adroit. The chapters are neither too short nor too long, a welcome addition to the perfectly balanced pace of the plot. In the end, La Salle presents readers with an epilogue which slyly indicates that an old case that Phee and Quincy struggled to solve might rear its ugly head again.

La Salle holds no punches and weaves a story that is a perfect "looking glass" reflection of our structured culture. It is a compelling story that is so well-developed that some readers may question whether parts of it are truly fiction. Although some sensitive readers might cringe, it is undeniable that this gripping urban thriller will satisfy fans of the genre.

Eriq La Salle is well known as an actor, director, and producer but lately he’s added award-winning author to his list of accomplishments. I read and reviewed Laws of Depravity last year and was amazed at La Salle’s level of writing. Having enjoyed the first installment of the Laws trilogy, I was honored and excited to review Laws of Wrath. I thought Laws of Depravity was very good but Laws of Wrath is ten times better. Readers are reunited with investigators Phee and Quincy as they work the case of a brutal murder. The victim was Phee’s oldest brother. We quickly learn of the background information on Phee’s family. We knew his family was part of a mob but this book allows us to delve deeper into the family “business.”

I was captivated and frightened by the prologue in which we are introduced to Dr. Dalia Zibik, a small, harmless-looking woman who was serving time at Bedford Hills, a maximum security women’s prison. The prison had its hierarchy and Queenie was the ruler. The woman was a prisoner but the guards turned their backs on any transgressions that she committed. The Warden may pretend to be in charge but everyone knew, guards and prisoners alike, that Queenie ruled with an iron fist - until Dr. Zibik arrived and was summoned to Queenie’s cell. Dr. Zibik was a Satanist with quite a fan club. Could there be a link between the imprisoned doctor and AJ’s vicious murder?

Laws of Wrath will keep readers up at night, contemplating what evils man will commit in the name of wrath. Once again, La Salle proves his skill at developing characters. Before I closed the cover of this book, I felt as if I knew each character, flaws and all. There are twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. This is not a book you want to read when alone at night. I suspect we will see Laws of Wrath on the big screen, and I plan to be the first in line for a ticket.

Eriq La Salle, perhaps best known to television audiences as Dr. Peter Benton of “ER” fame, will have readers on the edge of their seats with the latest in his new thriller series. Laws of Wrath is proof that La Salle may add to his list of laudable accomplishments, “great author,” with his spinning of this tale of New York’s finest, brothers in blue, Quincy and Phee. Both men have their secrets, both have brothers that have brought some difficulties into their lives, both have women they love fiercely —though perhaps not enough, and both are haunted by some demons from their past.

Laws of Wrath centers on the murder of Phee’s transvestite brother, A.J., whose body is found mutilated as the result of a sacrificial murder. In the morgue where A.J.’s body lies, is Carmen Morales, another victim of a similar slaughter. With flashbacks to Phee’s father’s earlier years of crime, Eriq La Salle provides a colorful back story that holds the keys to the mysteries of the murders. While someone seeks to bring justice to the long ago deeds of Phee’s father, Phee and Quincy are on the trail. They are assisted by some unusual characters, including The African, a bodyguard and a former child soldier; and Dr. Zibik, a genius and Satanist who is spending time in prison and is believed to be responsible for two prior similar sacrificial murders.

Readers are offered glimpses of 1970s Harlem, a close-knit transvestite community, and the brotherhood of New York’s finest. While essentially a thriller, Laws of Wrath does not skimp on the personal stories and intimate relationships of the main characters. Readers will identify with Phee whose own past failings have bubbled to the surface and now threaten his career and his love interest; and they will empathize with Quincy as he discovers troubling details about someone close to him. Added to these colorful characters is a group of Satanists that take the lives of others in an effort to steal the souls of their victims. Eriq La Salle has made for a demanding and satisfying thriller that is sure to keep readers turning the pages.

Laws of Wrath, by the multi-talented Eriq La Salle, is proof positive that Mr. La Salle is not a one-hit wonder. Quite to the contrary; with Laws of Wrath he has hit another Grand Slam! Following his debut novel, Laws of Depravity, he has skillfully crafted another amazingly captivating novel that will have you losing sleep and postponing chores, just so you do not have to take a break from the story. I have seldom encountered a novel so penetrating and incisive. With Laws of Wrath, I have now read two such mesmerizing literary achievements, and they were both written by Eriq La Salle. As if that isn’t enough, he concludes Laws of Wrath in a way that marvelously sets up the next story in this series. I, for one, cannot wait to get my hands on Book #3; it promises to be just as expertly created as were its predecessors.

Laws of Wrath begins roughly two weeks after the conclusion of Laws of Depravity, and features most of the same familiar characters from that first superb story. Police partners Phee and Quincy return, along with their love interests, their extended families, and professional allies, as the partners try to stop another heinous killer before more deftly and horrendously mutilated bodies turn up. It soon becomes apparent that somebody is targeting Phee’s father, Clay Freeman, and his one-time partner in crime from his much younger days, Blue Morales. However, Clay and Blue could not think of a single person who might have reason to direct such ghastly vengeance their way. The many sub-plots woven into Laws of Wrath are fascinating, some gruesomely so. Mr. La Salle has peeled back the thin veneer of civilization with surgical precision, and shown us some of the almost inconceivably ugly realities lingering just under the surface. Laws of Wrath is outstanding fiction, with its basis firmly planted in the non-fictional evil man is capable of committing. I cannot find words adequate to express how much I recommend reading this book. You may be the only person at the water cooler who does not know what everybody is talking about, if you fail to read Laws of Wrath.