{"product_id":"the-statement-9781478770831","title":"The Statement","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThe Statement: A Powerful Historical Murder Mystery\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSet against the turbulent backdrop of 1968 America, \u003cstrong\u003eThe Statement\u003c\/strong\u003e by Albert Stark delivers a gripping murder mystery that explores themes of justice, identity, and moral complexity during the Civil Rights Era. This compelling young adult novel follows fifteen-year-old Lester Gold as he navigates the aftermath of his father's brutal murder and the devastating consequences of a single decision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA Murder That Changes Everything\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eShortly after Martin Luther King's assassination, Lester Gold's world shatters when his father, Julius Menachem Gold, is shot dead in their family's kosher butcher shop in Trenton. In the chaos, Lester catches only a fleeting glimpse of the killer wearing an Orioles cap. This sole clue becomes the foundation of a case that will haunt him for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eJustice or Injustice?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnder pressure from his Holocaust-survivor mother Minnie, his best friend Santo Bassani, and local cop Bertram Randolph, Lester signs a statement implicating Salim Johnson, a Black radical and community leader. Salim is convicted and sent to Death Row. But as Lester matures and pursues journalism at Columbia University, doubts begin to surface about Salim's guilt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA Journey of Redemption\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReturning to Trenton as a young reporter, Lester embarks on a mission to uncover the truth and exonerate an innocent man. His investigation is complicated by his growing feelings for Naima, Salim's sister, and his conflicting loyalty to his father's memory. The search for the real killer forces Lester to confront his deepest beliefs about justice, family, and the meaning of doing what's right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eRich Historical Context\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis literary thriller masterfully weaves together multiple cultural perspectives—Jewish-American, African-American, and Italian-American—against the explosive social changes of the late 1960s. The narrative explores how personal tragedy intersects with broader social movements, creating a nuanced portrait of a divided America.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePerfect for Readers Who Love\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDetective stories with moral complexity, coming-of-age narratives set during pivotal historical moments, and character-driven mysteries that examine themes of guilt, redemption, and truth. This paperback edition from Outskirts Press offers 14.95 MSRP value for readers seeking thought-provoking historical fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Statement\u003c\/strong\u003e challenges readers to consider how far one should go to correct past mistakes and whether redemption is possible when the stakes are life and death.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Outskirts Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50680974868754,"sku":"9781478770831","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_1436e431-2d01-4d9c-a038-68577ed64ea2.jpg?v=1733946783","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-statement-9781478770831","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}