Synopsis
Former Chief Warrant Officer Sam Blackman lost a leg in Iraq and emerged from the V.A. hospital in Asheville, NC, as a bitter civilian without a job or a future. But when he solved a series of local murders, Sam not only brought the guilty to justice but found meaning for his life. Now he and his partner, Nakayla Robertson, are opening a detective agency. They have high hopes that the thriving mountain region will provide a steady stream of cases. Their first client, a quirky elderly woman in a retirement community, makes a strange request. She wants Sam to right a wrong she committed more than 70 years ago. Her victim was F. Scott Fitzgerald. Her crime was stealing a manuscript. Sam's task seems simple enough: retrieve the woman's lockbox and deliver the manuscript to Fitzgerald's heirs. But nothing is simple for Sam. The lockbox is sealed with a swastika, a symbol his client insists predates the Nazis and reflects a scene from The Great Gatsby. Then a security guard is killed and the lockbox disappears. Not only has this investigation triggered a murder, but Sam's final military case has followed him from Iraq and neither he nor anyone close to him is safe. Are the mysteries connected? Or is one a ruse luring him into the crosshairs of his enemies?
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Review
“Readers will hope to see a lot more of the book’s amiable characters, in particular, Sam and Nakayla, whose comfortable banter lends the story much of its charm.” –"Publishers Weekly" on "The" "Fitzgerald Ruse" " " “An excellent regional mystery, full of local color and historical detail.” "Library Journal" on "The Fitzgerald Ruse" STARRED REVIEW "A wealth of historical detail, an exciting treasure hunt and credible characters distinguish this fresh, adventurous read.” –"Publishers Weekly" on "Blackman's Coffin"
"Readers will hope to see a lot more of the book's amiable characters, in particular, Sam and Nakayla, whose comfortable banter lends the story much of its charm." -"Publishers Weekly" on "The""Fitzgerald Ruse"" ""An excellent regional mystery, full of local color and historical detail." "Library Journal" on "The Fitzgerald Ruse" STARRED REVIEW"A wealth of historical detail, an exciting treasure hunt and credible characters distinguish this fresh, adventurous read." -"Publishers Weekly" on "Blackman's Coffin"
"Readers will hope to see a lot more of the book's amiable characters, in particular, Sam and Nakayla, whose comfortable banter lends the story much of its charm." -Publishers Weekly on The Fitzgerald Ruse "An excellent regional mystery, full of local color and historical detail." Library Journal on The Fitzgerald Ruse STARRED REVIEW"A wealth of historical detail, an exciting treasure hunt and credible characters distinguish this fresh, adventurous read." -Publishers Weekly on Blackman's Coffin
About the Author
The author of the first Barry Clayton mystery Dangerous Undertaking, Mark de Castrique is a television and film producer whose work has earned Emmy, Clio, and Telly awards. Mark grew up in the mountains of North Carolina, earned B.A. degrees in English and Radio, Television and Motion Pictures at UNC-Chapel Hill and an M.A. in English Literature at UNCCharlotte. His play, A Dying Business, was presented during the 2001 New Plays in America Festival. In addition to writing and producing, he has taught at UNC-Charlotte and the North Carolina School of the Arts School of Filmmaking. Mark and his wife live in Charlotte. They have two daughters and a spoiled schnauzer.
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