Convergence takes place in the ragged years between the end of the Vietnam war and the election of Ronald Reagan, in a city almost defined by its corruption. It unfolds against a backdrop of bitter politics, a record-setting murder rate, the introduction of cocaine, and the blood economy that sprung up around it, when the power of gangs was rising, and the influence of the mob was in decline.
Convergence is a true story of a double murder in a wealthy Chicago neighborhood.
It’s the story of an investigation and an arraignment.
It’s the true story of how trials are won, lost, bought, sold, or never happen at all.
It tells the stories certain judges and lawyers hope people don’t hear.
Convergence tells Gregg Owen’s story, how he started out as a musician before he was a prosecutor, playing in bands that shared stages with Janis Joplin, The Doors, The Who. His last band was poised for a big break until a coke-deranged girlfriend tried to kill him, and then his life pivoted in a way he’d never expected.
Convergence tells Tony Messina’s story, of a wildly successful contractor and expert racetrack handicapper who finds the murdered bodies of his son and his son’s girlfriend, stabbed to death and lying in a black pool of their own blood.
It tells Mike Goggin’s story, the scion of a long line of lawyers, who started out as Owen’s nemesis but became his law partner and best friend.
Convergence takes place in the ragged years between the end of the Vietnam war and the election of Ronald Reagan, in a city almost defined by its corruption. It unfolds against a backdrop of bitter politics, a record-setting murder rate, the introduction of cocaine, and the blood economy that sprung up around it, when the power of gangs was rising, and the influence of the mob was in decline.
It brings in corrupt judges, crusader cops and lawyers, pornographers, undercover informants, FBI stings, and drug smugglers.
It’s a true story. It all happened. And it was just the start of Gregg Owen’s career.
Convergence is the first in a five-book series, and the series is a first in itself: no one has published a true crime, multi-volume narrative tracking the same characters through different cases. No one has been able to write one until now.
Chicago has never had a shortage of violent crimes, but it’s never had someone who could write an inside account of investigating and prosecuting them, and winning 62 murder convictions as a result.
About the Authors
Jonathan Dixon
Jonthan Dixon is the author of Beaten, Seared, and Sauced (Random House, 2011). He was a longtime contributor to the Boston Phoenix, and his articles have appeared in Vice, The New York Times, New York Newsday, Conde Nast Traveler, and Martha Stewart Living, among others. He lives in New York City with his family. This is his first collaboration with Gregg Owen.
Gregg Owen
Gregg Owen was the keyboardist for the bands Shady Daze, the American Breed, Jerico, and Chill Factor. He served as an Assistant State’s Attorney and Cook County Chief of Gang Prosecutions in the city of Chicago. He is the founder of Text2Drive. Convergence is his first book.
