The shocking end to a hostage situation brings Meredith Ryan, a courageous Sheriff's Deputy, to the attention of a powerful young judge.

As the magistrate's obsession grows, he continues exercising his considerable influence, and Meredith is stuck juggling the inner workings of her career-all the while tracking down a violent killer in the Sonoma wine country.

After losing almost everyone close to her, Meredith realizes that she must take a stand. Even if it costs her. But as Meredith is finally closing in on the Sonoma murderer, she gets snared in a trap that she may not walk out of alive.

By Force or Fear is a police procedural thriller about a brave, young deputy who identifies and faces her enemies-both within herself and the real world.