The Unraveling

For young Samantha Rich, the two years she'd spent as a plainclothes detective had proven to be very dull. Her career as a uniformed policewoman had been just as drab. Santa Barbara, Texas: Seldom did anything spectacular happen there.

Then, someone started shooting bad guys! This wasn't simply a matter of some nut-type vigilante running around loose. This assassin was using an overwhelming variety of firearms to wreak havoc.

When Samantha-and her grizzled mentor, Lt. Leland Cornelius-decide that Edward Brittby, who owned the largest pawnshop in town, seemed to have a much too large selection of guns, they break in to the hockshop, in the middle of the night. Cornelius gets shot-and is rushed to the hospital. Samantha-along with Cornelius-is fired from the force.

The pair had found-before being interrupted by a gunman, whom Samantha kills-paperwork; indicating that Brittby is involved in a national money-laundering scheme, and child pornography. In addition, there's damning evidence that the city's administration-from the mayor on down-is corrupt. Samantha comes, face to face, with five killers-one of whom she strangles with her bra. Death By Brassiere!

Eventually, the Governor, Texas Rangers, FBI and IRS get involved.