Jericho Road — Sam Morton

Jericho Road is the story of 17-year-old Austin Pierce, his girlfriend, Veronica, and his best friend, Rico. The teens were recruited by their handler, a CIA agent named Konstantine, to infiltrate a murderous Mexican street gang. As a result, Rico is missing and presumed dead. Austin knows in his heart that his friend is still alive, and he's willing to do anything to find him. That's where our story begins. Doing "anything" proves quite the challenge for Austin since he's a born rule follower. If that weren't enough of a test of character, the rules get muddied when Austin can't be sure who is on his side, doubts that extend even to Veronica. The story is set in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Washington's suburbs. As the teens get chased from city to city, they have to decide in whom to place their trust. Sometimes the consequences are disastrous.