Inside
Inside is the first in the Bulletproof trilogy by Brenda Novak. Virgil Skinner has just spent fourteen years inside the prison system for a crime he didn't commit. Virgil may not have committed the crime he was charged with, murder, but he hasn't come out of the system an innocent man. Virgil joined a gang for protection while inside and cannot freely leave. Once you're in a gang you're in for life . . . or until death. It's bad enough he has the gang issue hanging over his head, but while inside he protected himself from deadly violence with deadly violence. As a result of these actions he has been "asked" to assist the California Department of Corrections by infiltrating another gang in the worst prison in the state, Pelican Bay, for a chance at a truly clean slate.Enter Peyton Adams, the Chief Deputy Warden at Pelican Bay. She is adamantly opposed to Virgil going undercover. She feels that it isn't possible to protect him from possible gang-related violence and she doesn't trust him. In a few short days Peyton learns that there is much more to Virgil than meets the eye and she begins to admire and respect him. Virgil only wants to protect his family, his sister and her kids, from possible gang retaliation and maybe get a fresh start in life.
Gangs, prisons and undercover work apparently don't mix, at least not in a small town. It isn't possible to keep a secret, especially in a small town where everyone knows everyone else. What ensues is a rush to beat the clock and get the information that CDC wants while protecting Virgil and ensuring he gets what he wants. Throw in some not-so-honest correctional officials, a gang on the hunt for retaliation against Virgil, a family on the run and the suspense gets knocked up a few notches. Inside starts this series off with a bang and makes for a great weekend read.
