PRISON DOCTOR

In Alexander and Dobry’s novel, a prison doctor’s revenge plan becomes more complicated when it involves a legendary inmate.

James Johnson is the newly hired physician at Thornton State Prison in Illinois. His job is, of course, tending to prisoners’ illnesses and injuries, but he also has a hidden agenda. Specifically, he yearns for vengeance against an incarcerated man, Steven McAdams, who murdered one of his loved ones and then received just a seven- to 10-year sentence. However, his plans may not be as secret as he thinks. A powerful inmate at the same prison, known as The Book, assigns hedge fund manager Jeffrey “Cipher” Jones to surveil James at the doctor’s home. Cipher’s late father once worked for The Book, who sent him coded messages involving biblical verses. This Bible code allowed The Book to sway events that made him, and Cipher, financially successful. Spying on someone, though, is definitely an unusual order from The Book. At the same time, it turns out that a government agency (or agencies) is monitoring James, as well. The doctor knows that getting to his target won’t be easy, even though he’s an employee at the secure prison. However, The Book may be willing to help—and Cipher isn’t the only person whom he has working for him. The Book’s name is very well known among people inside and outside the prison, and he always seems to have a way of getting things done. However, as James pursues his plan, various secrets are revealed, upending both James’ and Cipher’s lives. Also, The Book has another scheme cooking, which could help himself—a wrongly convicted man who’s serving two life sentences for murder.

This crime story is leisurely paced, but it has plenty of surprises to keep readers’ attention. The Book is a delightful enigma who has a genius-level IQ and innumerable connections. Even when more details about him come to light—his name, the crime that landed him in jail, and elaboration of his Bible code—there’s enough residual mystery to keep the character enticing. Unexpected ties between characters pop up, as do new antagonists and occasional betrayals. The Book, like most of the vibrant cast, is Black, and racism plays a significant role in the story. Overall, Alexander and Dobry present a grim perspective on the American prison system; most of the prisoners James sees are known to readers only by their numbers. There are also quite a few subplots throughout the novel, including one involving a burgeoning romance between James and the instantly likable prison doctor Amanda Perkins, and another about a potential “rat” at Cipher’s firm. A few minor storylines don’t lead anywhere, as the narrative instead favors scenes of James’ downtime, showing him golfing or enjoying the beach. However, the final act takes a significant turn that results in several additions to the cast and alters James’ plan, although his motive stays the same. The novel ends on a satisfying note, but some characters could easily carry on in a sequel or spinoff.

A dynamic cast effectively drives this deliberately paced tale of vengeance.