Undertow — Janna McMahan

Finally a free man, architect Michael McKeever walks out of Central Correctional Institute and into another bizarre situation. A body is pulled from the moss-draped canal that meanders past the prison. Authorities see a vagrant. Mike sees a connection.

His questions draw unwanted attention. Suddenly, Mike is falsely accused of parole violations. He must prove the John Doe's identity in order to stay a free man. The only person who can help is his estranged ex - but will Amanda believe his innocence this time?

In the capital city, power hungry transplants are seizing control from ingrained politicians and old money families. Warner Dupree, a well-connected Yankee is president of the University of South Carolina. Dr. Anthony Lometti's research is propelling the university forward in medicine. Arliss Spurlock, a Texan with a get-tough approach, rules the prison with an iron fist.

Somewhere between the president's posh office, the medical school's sterile labs and the rank cells of the prison is the answer to Mike's problem. When more bodies turn up the state's flamboyant attorney general takes control of the investigation and blows holes in Mike's theory.

Undertow is an action-packed account of greed, power and manipulation. It is the story of secrets and conspiracies lurking behind a Southern city's pleasant facade.