Assistant DA Alexandra Cooper is faced with trying to bring down a very powerful man in BLOOD OATH, a man that years ago groomed a young witness in a case. Now Lucy, the young woman, wants the man who used her brought to justice. But, how to prove what really happened all those years ago? It's just her word against the man in question. And, Lucy hasn't the best of reputation. Alexandra also has to deal with a personal blow when a friend of her mysteriously collapses on the street seemingly struck by a seizure.

The theme of this book, the grooming of a young girl by an older man is a theme that fits well in the "me too" era that we are living in now. Lucy, the young girl, had already survived a traumatic experience only to fall prey to a man who was supposed to protect her. Now, she wants justice, only the man in question is now a very powerful man, and he will not let anyone destroy his career. This story really felt poignant and so in time.

BLOOD OATH is a book that takes its time before the action starts, but at the same time, it's never boring. It perfectly introduces the characters, and you get to know more about Lucy and what happened to her ten years ago. This is the 20th book in the Alexandra Cooper series and I've read several books, and I found this book to be one of best in the series. Not only is the case about Lucy interesting, but we also have the side story about the friend of Alexandra who is suddenly struck down. What happened to her? A sudden illness? Or is it something worse? All I will say is that the last part of the story is really thrilling. On a side note, it was interesting to get to know more about Manhattan's Rockefeller University. Linda Fairstein always adds interesting facts about New York in her books, and that always feels like a bonus to me who loves history.