Only Way Out

Goldberg (the Gangsterland series) riffs on a familiar setup in this twisty and inventive crime thriller. Unscrupulous Oregon cop Jack Biddle is indebted to criminals for hundreds of thousands of dollars. While hiding out in a remote mountain town, he spots a van and decides to shake down the passengers for the money he needs. Before he can get to the vehicle, however, it skids on black ice and crashes into a ravine. When Jack reaches the scene, he finds the decapitated body of the driver, Robert Green, and millions of dollars in valuables including diamonds and cash. Jack is unaware that Robert was desperate to pay off his own debts, and looted 324 safety deposit boxes from the law firm where he worked to finance a new life in South America for himself and his criminal sister, Penny. Robert’s disappearance alarms Penny, who finds out that Jack has the loot—but both of them have bigger problems when a dangerous third party comes after the stash. With comic flair, shocking violence, and a capacity for surprise, this recalls the noir-tinged films of the Coen brothers. Goldberg’s fans will be thrilled. Agent: Jennie Dunham, Dunham Literary. (Nov.)