Sweet Thing: A Novel

Dive into the morally ambiguous world of 1999 Washington D.C. with David Swinson's gripping standalone novel, *Sweet Thing*. This hard-hitting crime thriller follows Detective Alex Blum, a seasoned homicide investigator, as he grapples with a case that blurs the lines between right and wrong, desire and duty. When Blum discovers a connection between a murder victim and a long-lost informant, Arthur Holland, his investigation leads him to Celeste, Arthur's captivating and troubled girlfriend. Celeste is a magnetic force, pulling Blum into a dangerous vortex of desire and a desperate need to protect her from the dark underbelly of Arthur's life. Haunted by her vulnerability and drawn in by her allure, Blum finds himself on a treacherous path, jeopardizing his career and his own moral compass. As the body count rises and the evidence points towards Celeste's involvement, Blum is faced with a gut-wrenching dilemma: how far is he willing to go to save a woman he barely knows, a woman he perhaps *shouldn't* know? Swinson, drawing upon his own experiences as a former D.C. cop, paints a vivid and authentic portrait of a city teetering on the brink of the millennium. Forget the polished veneer of modern-day D.C.; *Sweet Thing* plunges into the city's grittier corners, where strip clubs pulsate with secrets, pagers beep with urgent messages, and the looming Y2K anxieties amplify the sense of unease. Readers will be transported inside the tense atmosphere of sting operations, the starkly lit interrogation rooms where truth and lies become indistinguishable, and the back rooms where irreversible mistakes are made. More than just a police procedural, *Sweet Thing* is a profound exploration of obsession, temptation, and the corrupting nature of desire. Swinson masterfully crafts a complex character in Alex Blum, a flawed hero wrestling with his inner demons as he navigates a labyrinth of deception and betrayal. As Blum delves deeper into the case, he unearths secrets that could shatter everything he thought he knew, forcing him to confront the question that lies at the heart of the novel: how far will you fall when love leads you astray? Critics have lauded Swinson's sharp dialogue and his ability to create compelling characters that linger long after the final page. *Sweet Thing* is a dark and atmospheric read, perfect for fans of Dennis Lehane, George Pelecanos, and Michael Connelly. Prepare to be captivated by Swinson's masterful storytelling and his unflinching portrayal of a city on the edge. Get ready to question everything you thought you knew about justice, loyalty, and the intoxicating power of *Sweet Thing*. This is not just a crime novel; it's a journey into the depths of the human heart. Published by Mulholland Books. A must-read for fans of gripping crime fiction!