Fellside by M R Carey

 

Jess Moulson is reviled.  While in a heroin haze, she set her apartment alight and burned the entire apartment building down.  One little boy, Alex, didn't make it out and was killed.  Jess  lost one side of her face and even after surgeries is disfigured, fair payment for her crime, most feel.  She has a quick trial and is sentenced to go to Fellside, a prison for women.

Jess is not only hated by others.  She hates herself for what she did and begins a hunger strike when she gets to Fellside.  On death's door, she changes her mind and after recovery is put into the general population.  There she is beaten up a few times then things settle down.  Except for one thing; Alex begins to appear to her and asks her to investigate his death.  

Jess's lawyer isn't sure the truth came out at her trial and convinces her to appeal.  That puts Jess directly in the sights of Grace who runs the drug business at the prison and is the most feared woman there.  She wants Jess to bring back drugs that will be hidden in the court inmate bathroom.  Jess knows if she does this her appeal won't mean anything as she could be convicted for drug offenses.  But if she doesn't, Grace could have her killed.  What will she do?

M. R. Carey has been an author for many years.  He has television and movie credits and has science fiction series written under the name Mike Carey.  In this book, he constantly gears up the tension with various pitfalls and dangers Jess faces.  He also springs several big surprises that catch the reader unawares.  This book is recommended for thriller readers.