Synopsis:
A noir story, set in an alternate New York City.
After years of being a cop, and now a private investigator, there’s little that surprises Cole Blackstone. But when someone working for Karl Dolman, the most notorious crime boss in the city asks for his help, Cole is caught off guard, and more than a little afraid.
Dolman’s daughter, Selina, has gone missing. To prevent a gang war that will tear the city apart, Cole must find her. But the job is being made more difficult as everyone is interfering, cops and criminals, and no one wants him to succeed.
Together with his childhood friend, Bracken Hart, the two men must navigate the depths of the city’s underworld for answers. In a race against the clock, Cole needs to find out what happened to Selina, and who is responsible, before the streets run red.
Review:
Seriously this book was such a good read. I was hooked from the first few pages. It’s dark and gritty with the threat of violence dripping from the pages. At its heart this is a noir mystery set an New York that’s immediately familiar yet quite alien from that famous city we all know.
The alternate world we find ourselves in is intriguing. We are given glimpses into a world that echo’s our own, but its never fully explained whether this our Earth post an apocalyptic event or possible a world that isn’t even Earth. The lack of explanation in no way detracts from the story and for this reader (at least) it had me hooked and needing to know more.
We see glimpses of world where technology is in decline, electricity is only used sporadically if at all, and general populace move around in trains or on horse drawn trolleys. Whilst the controlling elite occupy the remnants of skyscrapers falling into disrepair and street thugs fight with swords, spears and even shields instead of guns.
It’s against this intriguing backdrop that we meet Cole Blackstone & his close friend and brother in all but name Bracken. These really are the duo you didn’t know you needed in your life. Tough as nails and able to enact tremendous violence on those in their way and yet there is a depth to the friendship / brotherhood that is incredibly tender. Their past is hinted at but what is clear is that they would follow the other into the gates of hell if required. And they come pretty close to that in the course of their blood soaked investigations through the underworld of their New York. Cole is a former policeman turned PI and its for these skills that he is summoned by the most feared crime boss of New York, Karl Dolman.
As I have mentioned there is a solid mystery at the heart of the story and I’m not going to ruin that by giving away any details but the clock is ticking if Cole & Bracken are going to stop the streets of New York being awash with blood. But what I can say is that the quality of the writing and the depth of the characters grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go. In my case I devoured it in one sitting. Being a novella it was over all too soon and I was over the moon to learn that we can expect further stories from this world
This was my first foray into Stephen’s writing and on the strength of this book its safe to say I will be reaching for his other work as soon as I can. Whilst eagerly awaiting a return visit to the world he has introduced us to in a New York Minute.
Thanks to Stephen for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
About the Author:
Stephen Aryan is an award winning fantasy author. He has written two trilogies, the Age of Darkness, and the Age of Dread, plus a prequel novella, set in the magic-infused world of Mordana.
He has also written the Quest for Heroes duology, The Coward and The Warrior, published by Angry Robot Books.
The Judas Blossom, the first instalment in a Persian-inspired historical fantasy trilogy, The Nightingale and the Falcon was published in July 2023. The second in the trilogy, The Blood Dimmed Tide was published 9 July 2024 by Angry Robot Books.
Twitter : @SteveAryan
Instagram: @stephenaryan_writer
Website: https://stephen-aryan.com/
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