Small Vices

When Ellis Alves, a young man from a disadvantaged background with a checkered past, is accused of murdering Melissa Henderson, a privileged white student from Pemberton College, the case seems open-and-shut. However, Alves's former defense attorneys believe he's been framed and enlist the formidable Boston private investigator, Spenser, to uncover the truth. Joined by his enigmatic and equally dangerous associate, Hawk, Spenser delves into a world of stark contrasts, moving from the gritty back alleys of Boston to the opulent residences of Manhattan's elite. Their investigation unearths a tangled web of secrets, leading them to question everyone from Melissa's wealthy tennis-star boyfriend to the college's hidden underbelly. As Spenser relentlessly pursues justice, he finds himself in the crosshairs of a ruthless adversary, narrowly surviving an assassination attempt that leaves him in a coma. With Spenser's life hanging in the balance, the fight to exonerate Alves and expose the real killer becomes a desperate race against time, threatening to extinguish not only Spenser but also any hope for truth.