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Murder in Rat Alley

By Mark de Castrique
Series: Blackman Agency Investigations
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Check link for latest rating. ( 160 ratings, 33 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Murder in Rat Alley by Mark de Castrique is a gripping crime thriller that follows private investigator Sam Blackman as he unravels a mystery linked to a decades-old death. Set in Asheville, North Carolina, the story combines elements of suspense and intrigue as Sam delves into the secrets buried in the area's past, facing twists and turns while seeking the truth. The novel showcases a blend of contemporary and historical tension, keeping readers on edge as the investigation unfolds.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're captivated by intricate murder mysteries set against the backdrop of a small town with dark secrets. You'll enjoy the blend of suspense, complex characters, and unexpected twists that keep you guessing until the very end. If you're fond of stories where detective work unravels deep-rooted community ties, this crime thriller is an excellent choice.

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A murder from the past comes creeping into the present, as two private eyes open up a cold case to find a killer, or risk becoming the next targets.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A murder from the past comes creeping into the present, as two private eyes open up a cold case to find a killer, or risk becoming the next targets.

In this unusual spin on the classic spy novel, murder strikes from our wartime pasts...

Iraq War veteran Sam Blackman, with his prosthetic leg, and his no-nonsense private eye partner Nakayla Robertson love their investigations, which always carry a thread from the past—and they love each other. An interracial couple in the New South, the Asheville, NC, pair has surrounded themselves with a terrific support team, including an unorthodox lawyer and a veteran cop. They deploy humour both to bind them together and to deflect insults. Plus, it helps deal with the tragedies their work uncovers.

Such a tragedy interrupts a meeting between the PIs and the neighbouring law office when a body is unearthed from the grounds of the nearby Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute. During the Cold War, it monitored developing space programs. Today it plays a vital role in gathering weather and climate data. The body has been in the ground for a long time. Why would its discovery spark off a new murder in Asheville's mountain music scene, with the victim found amid the garbage of dark, dank Rat Alley?

She was the fiancée of the man murdered long ago. But surely this case is more than a domestic drama playing out over time...

The Blackman Agency Investigations excel at merging past and present, bringing little-known history to light, and are perfect for fans of James Lee Burke, Stephen Mack Jones, Margaret Maron, and Robert B. Parker.

Series: Blackman Agency Investigations

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  • Fatal Scores
    When legacies aren't as steadfast as they seem to be, two P.I.'s will be pulled into a world of deceit to stop a town from crumbling. A river gives up its dead, but not its secrets... Sam Blackman and Nakayla Robertson, private investigators in Asheville, North Carolina, are hired when a local environmentalist dies while monitoring water quality in the...
    By Mark de Castrique
    Paperback
    Sold Out
  • Murder in Rat Alley
    A murder from the past comes creeping into the present, as two private eyes open up a cold case to find a killer, or risk becoming the next targets. Tucked away in the mountains of North Carolina lies a remnant of one of the greatest scientific achievements of the twentieth century—putting a man on the moon. This isolated site exists...
    By Mark de Castrique
    Hardback
    Sold Out
  • Murder in Rat Alley
    A murder from the past comes creeping into the present, as two private eyes open up a cold case to find a killer, or risk becoming the next targets. In this unusual spin on the classic spy novel, murder strikes from our wartime pasts... Iraq War veteran Sam Blackman, with his prosthetic leg, and his no-nonsense private eye partner Nakayla...
    By Mark de Castrique
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Italicised Book Title by Mark de Castrique is praised for its intelligent characters and rich historical context. The novel is noted for its complex plot involving murder and espionage, skillfully unfolding with action, humour, and intrigue. Reviews describe it as a multi-layered narrative that maintains a compelling pace, filled with surprising twists and connections.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781492699392

Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 31 December 2019

Country: United States

Imprint: Poisoned Pen Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 215.0mm

Weight: 280g

Pages: 272

Collections

Crime & Thriller Fiction General Fiction Mark de Castrique Penguin Books Series: Blackman Agency Investigations

About the Author

Mark de Castrique grew up in the mountains of western North Carolina where many of his novels are set. He's a veteran of the television and film production industry, has served as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte teaching The American Mystery, and he's a frequent speaker and workshop leader. He and his wife, Linda, live in Charlotte, North Carolina. www.markdecastrique.com

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  • Fatal Scores
    When legacies aren't as steadfast as they seem to be, two P.I.'s will be pulled into a world of deceit to stop a town from crumbling. A river gives up its dead, but not its secrets... Sam Blackman and Nakayla Robertson, private investigators in Asheville, North Carolina, are hired when a local environmentalist dies while monitoring water quality in the...
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  • Murder in Rat Alley
    A murder from the past comes creeping into the present, as two private eyes open up a cold case to find a killer, or risk becoming the next targets. Tucked away in the mountains of North Carolina lies a remnant of one of the greatest scientific achievements of the twentieth century—putting a man on the moon. This isolated site exists...
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