The Policeman’s Daughter by Trudy Nan Boyce

G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 352 pages, $28

“The Policeman’s Daughter” is a prequel to Trudy Nan Boyce’s first two books, “Out of the Blues” and “Old Bones,” featuring homicide detective Sarah Alt, aka “Salt.” In “The Policeman’s Daughter,” Salt is a patrol officer in “The Homes” section of Atlanta. The Homes is the poor black section, and it is Salt’s “mission” — a term largely derided by cops who, out of self-defense, try not to confuse saving people’s lives with directing people’s lives — to patrol and help those in need as much as she can. Even if they don’t want to be helped.

I read this book on the heels of reading “Green Sun” by Kent Anderson, an outstanding book, also about patrolling a poor black section. Although both books are written by ex-police officers and deal with their main characters’ personal issues, “The Policeman’s Daughter” is more heavily character-driven. “Green Sun” wins the unasked for competition, but “The Policeman’s Daughter” has a lot to recommend it.

Salt’s Kevlar-bound heart weeps for Shannell, a drug addict with two children. Her son, “Little D,” is just getting into the same drug trade that is destroying his parents. His sister has been passed along to Shannell’s mother to raise. When Shannell dies, suspicion falls on her boyfriend, Big D. Nobody wants to talk to the “poleese,” so Salt is stymied when she tries to find the murderer. With great danger to herself, Salt continues chipping away at the community’s reluctance to talk with her.

We slowly learn about her police officer father and why he died so young. We learn the effect her relationship with her father has on her work and life. It’s hard for her to maintain relationships, so kudos to homicide detective Wills for not giving up. It sort of smacks of fairy-tale stuff, however, because Salt is so unwelcoming that a modern man would surely have given up. 

Boyce was a cop for thirty years and the authenticity of her setting, people, and situations shines through. It is also what I liked about “Green Sun.” Since I haven’t read the other two books in the Salt series, I am curious about the characters in this prequel, whether they stay the course or are victims of one thing or another. You who have read the others will be that much wiser and rewarded.