Elliot Colla's 'Baghdad Central' plunges readers into the tumultuous aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, delivering a compelling and gritty crime novel. The story centers on Muhsin al-Khafaji, a former Iraqi police inspector, whose life is upended when his daughter disappears. Forced to navigate a city under occupation, rife with corruption and shifting loyalties, al-Khafaji is compelled to work with the American forces to uncover the truth. This gripping narrative explores themes of justice, identity, and the moral compromises required for survival in a fractured society, painting a vivid picture of Baghdad during a period of immense upheaval and uncertainty.