Publication Date: January 13, 2024
A soldier gasps his last, bloody breath in the sands outside of Baghdad in 2009. His murderer stands over him to watch him die, not an insurgent, but one of his fellow soldiers.
On the other side of the war-torn capital, military prosecutor Ben Crawford investigates the strange murder knowing none of the rules of a New York courtroom apply in the lawless deserts of Iraq. Ben left the civilian world for adventure, but the overwhelming absurdity and entropy of war challenge his resolve. He forces himself to abandon his own security in pursuit of justice.
Impediments appear at every turn. Rumors of corruption within the unit abound, yet Ben struggles to find motive. The suspect is under guard, but some other unknown force scorches the earth beneath Ben’s feet. The witnesses who risk telling the truth are hunted. Those who lie are protected. The fear in every step through Baghdad towards trial strains the young attorney to the breaking point. Instead of finding safety in the familiar courtroom, Ben risks his case, and his life, in pursuit of the truth.
As a military attorney on his first assignment in Iraq, Ben Crawford soon learns that long hours and constant boredom are a far cry from his civilian life in New York.
However, when he gets a case involving a soldier who may have murdered another soldier in the unit, Ben realizes this case is different than anything he has encountered.
Blue on Blue by Matt Thomas provides an in-depth look behind the scenes of a military investigation where nothing seems to make sense.
The courtroom drama serves up an intricate plan shining light on a criminal enterprise that culminates with the death of an innocent soldier. Ben’s expertise is put to the test in navigating the military world.
Blue on Blue delivers multiple twists in a challenging case that forces a military lawyer to draw upon his past civilian courtroom experience in order to survive.
Matt has been a prosecutor for more than ten years, where his primary responsibility is to clearly tell complex stories during trials. He also is a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, and spent several years in the special operations community. Writing has been a lifelong passion. He particularly enjoys exploring the dynamic ways people change each other through speculative fiction.
