BROOKLYN, NY — A chance encounter in Prospect Park spirals into violence and courtroom drama in A Hate Crime in Brooklyn, the latest legal thriller from attorney and author David G. Secular. The novel examines the aftermath of a violent attack allegedly orchestrated by Sofia Hushemi, an Albanian immigrant, against Sylvester Stanley, a Black man, following a misunderstanding fueled by racial prejudice.
Secular’s narrative explores themes of racial injustice and historical oppression of women, set against the diverse backdrop of Brooklyn. Hushemi’s fear of losing favor with Victor, a powerful figure in the Albanian American Mafia, propels the story into a high-stakes trial that challenges the city’s fractured sense of justice.
“I wanted to address the prejudice that exists deep inside everyone, that is so often hidden and unrecognized while holding out a vision that it can be overcome,” Secular said.
Drawing on his legal expertise, Secular crafts a tense courtroom battle that forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about bias, accountability, and the possibility of redemption.
The novel intertwines themes of race, power, and forgiveness, offering a layered portrayal of a city grappling with the consequences of hate.