A Bitter Dying — L.J. Sellers

When a frustrated ex-con takes a young family and their home hostage, the only officer he'll speak with is Detective Wade Jackson. But Jackson already has his hands full running the Violent Crimes Unit and overseeing the investigation of a series of random violent assaults. While Jackson juggles his chaotic single-parent home life with hostage negotiations, the attacks point toward a troubled company that recycles industrial oil. With several lawsuits pending, the CEO of WestPac emerges as a likely suspect in the latest assault on a trial lawyer. As Jackson tries to deliver the hostage taker demands, a powerful politician interferes for personal reasons, and the standoff turns bloody. Meanwhile, the latest assault victim dies, and Jackson's team must scramble to identify the assailant. But can they piece together all the connections in time to prevent another murder and save the family?