FDR Drive

LoveReading Says

FDR (Franklin D Roosevelt) Drive is a highway that runs along the east side of Manhattan in New York City. It serves as a major transportation artery for New York City, offering motorists excellent views of the East River. It’s also an excellent title and a perfect location for James Comey’s latest thriller.

FDR Drive draws, once again, on Comey’s extensive legal and law enforcement background, enabling his to craft a compelling narrative that blends sharp procedural detail with human vulnerability and a moral complexity that is as relevant to the UK as it is to its New York setting.

At the heart of FDR Drive is Nora Carleton, a resilient and principled federal prosecutor who we first met Comey’s debut novel Central Park West. This time, Carleton is drawn into a case that hits close to home – a mysterious murder on the FDR Drive that quickly entangles organised crime, political corruption and the dark side of justice. Comey excels at weaving real-world, and very recognisable, stakes into his fictional universe, making the plot feel timely and eerily plausible.

The strength of this novel lies in its authenticity. The author’s firsthand experience in the justice system adds gravitas to courtroom scenes and investigative procedures, which never feel exaggerated. Instead, readers are given an insider’s look at the pressures and moral ambiguities faced by prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement officers alike.

Carleton is a standout protagonist; intelligent, conflicted, and deeply human. Her internal struggles elevate the novel beyond the standard legal thriller to a point where it becomes a reflection on power, integrity and the personal cost of doing what's right.

Comey's prose is crisp and the pacing is brisk, with just enough twists to keep readers hooked without veering into implausibility. The New York City backdrop, particularly the eponymous FDR Drive, serves as a fitting metaphor for the undercurrents of danger and momentum that define both the city and the story.

While FDR Drive may not revolutionise the genre, it confirms Comey’s place as a capable storyteller with a unique perspective. Fans of legal thrillers will appreciate its authenticity, while those intrigued by the intersection of law and ethics will find deeper themes to ponder. It’s a solid, satisfying read from a voice that knows the system – and its underbelly – all too well.

Reviewed by Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson served as a soldier and Metropolitan Police officer for nearly twenty-five years from 1975 until 1999.
More reviews by Matt Johnson

About FDR Drive

New York lawyer Nora Carleton faces her biggest case yet in this gripping legal thriller from the critically acclaimed author of Central Park West and former director of the FBI, James Comey.Free of the threats hanging over her from her time in Connecticut, Nora Carleton is back doing what she does best: prosecuting criminals for the federal government in the Southern District of New York. But her latest case will take her down roads she never expected.Domestic right-wing extremists, powered by internet demagogues and funded from the shadows, have become a major threat in the United States. Free speech is protected by the US Constitution... but to some people, deadly actions speak louder than words. When an explosion devastates a rally at the United Nations building in New York City, Nora, together with legendary investigator Benny Dugan and the FBI, must confront the extremists head on. To save innocent lives, Nora will need to convince a jury that some speech is actually a deadly crime. But even that may not be enough, as the team races to disrupt a threat bigger than any courtroom battle. A powerful novel about the realities facing modern America, perfect for fans of Grisham, Connelly and Coben.Reviews for James Comey's thrillers'Truly outstanding' Harlan Coben'Vivid and compelling' Ian Rankin'Riveting and authentic... reads like Grisham' Daily Mail'Vivid characters and dialogue' The Times'A really good mystery, expertly told' Joseph Finder

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