Book summary: On May 16, 1997, a petite 22-year-old prostitute named Anita Paley died in a Denver hospital. Her head had been blungeoned, her genitals slashed by her crazed attacker. Police soon arrested psychotic murderer Robert Riggan. But to put him away, prosecutors needed on key witness.

Joanne Cordova was a former cop-turned-crack addict and hooker who had sumitted to violent sex with Riggan in exchange for drugs – before narrowly espacing the same fat as her friend, Anita Paley. Now, she had to do the right thing and tell a jury just how brutal Riggan was. But first, she had to clean up her act.

New York Times bestselling author Steve Jackson tells the riveting story of a monster who preyed on women, his tragic final victim, and the woman who pulled herself out of a seething criminal underworld – and her own private hell – to see justice done.

Robert (Bob, Bobby) Riggan is the evidence of why some people should never be allowed to have children.

Coming from a long line of sexual predators (in some shape, form or fashion, including incest and familial voyeurism), it’s none too surprising that Riggan would prowl the perverse underworld; preying on those willing to sell their bodies for their next hit of crack.

Yet he would take the family traditions one step futher when he brutually murdered Anita Paley.

The horrendous, sickening details of the murderous crime committed by Robert Riggan as told in Rough Trade by Steve Jackson will leave readers feeling sympathy for “ladies of the night” and the brutality they are willing to suffer to squash the rising of their inner demons.

Especially heartwrenching and eye opening, is the story within the story of Joanne Cordova; an intelligent, articulate lady who rose within the ranks of the police department only to take a fall.

A fall that would place her in direct opposition to her previous lifestyle.

Cordova is a outright reminder that there is still honor among those on the streets and that, while crack may take a toll on you physically, it cannot break down a conscience – if one so chooses.

I finished Rough Trade with a much needed undertanding of the poor, pathetic souls whose addictions could be anyone’s – given the right circumstances.

And I walked away with a renewed sense of respect for those willing to sacrifice everything for another person – even when the code of (street) ethics strictly forbids such humanity.

As we have all come to expect, Steve Jackson again delivers a riveting, emotion-provoking tale from the evil that lurks amid the beautiful landscapes of Colorado.

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