THE RECRUIT by Alan Drew

4 stars

Straight off current news headlines, this mystery crime novel dives headfirst into figuring out how so many people get radicalized into white supremacy and violence. From cult-like leaders building secret armies to violence-prone mentally unstable teens swept into the movement, the intensity of hate escalates into destructive racist actions.

Set in a small Southern California town in 1987, when the internet was just emergent, hate groups turn to private online bulletin boards to evade the federal government. There’s Jacob, a bomb-building young teen, swept by his older 20-something neighbor Ian into a gang of skinheads. There’s Bao, a Vietnamese grocery store owner, being terrorized by Ian, who’s older brother got killed in Vietnam. Jacob’s Dad, a PTSD suffering Vietnam War vet who abuses Jacob in his worst post-traumatic moments, turns out to be having an affair with Bao’s daughter. Jacob discovers this, propelling him in rage to join the neo-Nazi gang, and commit hate crimes against both the Vietnamese and Mexicans.

Ben Wade, an LAPD detective who’s moved to the small town, embarks on investigating the hate crimes and uncovering a widespread White supremacy movement.

Stand by for an explosive ending!

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy of this book. 

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.