The Pledge - Hardcover

In this "instantly cinematic and completely compelling" thriller (Hank Phillippi Ryan), Detective Betty has only two weeks to take down her deadliest rival--this time for good.

"The terrific adrenaline punch you'd expect for the grand finale of Kathleen Kent's Edgar-nominated trilogy." --Julia Heaberlin

Things are looking up for Detective Betty Rhyzyk. She's settled into a happy marriage and been promoted to Sergeant in the Dallas Police Department. But when a hostage stand-off puts her on the phone with legendary cartel leader The Knife, things take a turn. The Knife has heard a rival is making a play for the streets of Dallas--none other than Evangeline Roy. The matriarch of a ruthless cult, Evangeline also happens to hold a personal vendetta against Betty. So who better to draw Evangeline out of hiding? Betty's got two weeks to catch her. Or else.

With Betty's young charge Mary Grace already missing--having left her seven-month-old baby behind in Betty's care--and the drug dealers of Dallas donning strange red wigs and delivering cryptic messages, Betty's in a race for answers. With the clock ticking down, it will take everything she's got to finally put an end to Evangeline's reign of terror, and to keep her beloved Dallas--and her own family--safe at last.

"I read this book in a compulsive binge . . . Betty Rhyzyk won't soon be forgotten by crime readers." --Sarah Weinman, New York Times Book Review

"Riveting." --The Washington Post

"A police procedural like none you've ever read." --Hank Phillippi Ryan

"A thrilling last dance with the formidable Betty Rhyzyk." --Steph Cha​

"Detective Betty is one of my favorite queer characters in crime fiction. The Pledge is fiery and propulsive."--Kristen Lepionka