Joe Greco’s The Ghost Case Posse draws from the case of the Golden State Killer, the serial rapist and murderer who was active in the 1970s and ‘80s, yet wasn’t brought to justice until 2018.

In the novel, Dexter Wayne Jones is a confirmed serial rapist who never went to trial because it took decades before DNA technology could connect him to the heinous crimes. At that point, the statute of limitations for the rape cases had run out.

However, in the present day, Jones is charged with a triple homicide in fictional Murrieta County, California. Although DNA isn’t involved, there’s enough circumstantial evidence that a conviction is likely, and it’s common knowledge that the Murrieta crimes are a copy-cat of the Golden State Killer’s crimes.

Public Defender Jedidiah (Jed) Bouvier has been tasked with defending Jones. To the community’s shock, the first trial ended in a hung jury. The Ghost Case Posse tells what happens during and shortly after the second trial.

Although Jed, a reforming alcoholic, is convinced his client is guilty, he takes his duty under the law seriously. Meanwhile, he meets a beautiful woman named Amy at an AA meeting, and their relationship heats up just as the Jones trial is in its final phases. Jed never suspects Amy might have ulterior motives for their friendship and eventual romance.

The story lags at times during the trial sequences, but as the end nears, readers will find themselves quickly turning pages. Greco skillfully disguises the secrets most of the characters are hiding. When those secrets are revealed, readers will be surprised they didn’t put the clues together earlier. Characters who didn’t seem important eventually come together to give meaning to the title.

With its interesting premise and a protagonist torn by his weaknesses and the strength of his convictions, the story will satisfy thriller and mystery fans, as well as followers of TV shows like Matlock and Law and Order.

Also available as an ebook.