Zahradnik, Rich

Kenmore. 2016. October 2016. Camel Press. 1st Edition. Very Good in Wrappers. 9781603812115. 5 x 8. 264 pages. paperback. keywords: Mystery. FROM THE PUBLISHER - On the eve of the U. S. Bicentennial, newsman Coleridge Taylor is covering Operation Sail. New York Harbor is teeming with tall ships from all over the world. While enjoying the spectacle, Taylor is still a police reporter. He wants to cover real stories, not fluff, and gritty New York City still has plenty of those in July of 1976. One surfaces right in front of him when a housewife is fished out of the harbor wearing bricks of heroin, inferior stuff users have been rejecting for China White, peddled by the Chinatown gangs. Convinced he's stumbled upon a drug war between the Italian Mafia and a Chinese tong, Taylor is on fire once more. But as he blazes forward, flanked by his new girlfriend, ex-cop Samantha Callahan, his precious story grows ever more twisted and deadly. In his reckless search for the truth, he rattles New York's major drug cartels. If he solves the mystery, he may end up like his victim--in a watery grave. Book 3 of the Coleridge Taylor Mystery series. Taylor is a very likeable protagonist, with all his faults and hang-ups, and I was happy to see that Samantha Callahan as well as Mason the dog, were back to soften up Taylor's gruff exterior. If you love a good murder mystery, check out this series--I promise you'll be hooked in no time flat. --Ellen Feld for Feathered Quill Book Reviews. 4 Stars: Coleridge Taylor is a character fans can firmly stand behind. His dogged pursuit of the truth and commitment to helping others while exposing his foibles is what makes him so sympathetic and complex. Zahradnik ratchets up the action in this novel, which quickens the pace and keeps readers engaged. a truly enjoyable read. --Keitha Hart for RT Reviews. Starred Review: Taylor, while out to get the story and get back to the crime beat, is complex and has a good heart. Verdict: Fans of the late Barbara D'Amato and Bruce DeSilva will relish this gritty and powerful crime novel. --Library Journal. The pace is of necessity quick and varied, Rich Zahradnick's characters are well established and interesting, and the plot is intense and convoluted. There is a wonderful retro dime novel flavor to the protagonist and the telling which really suits the New York City setting. And Zahradnick's knowledge and use of the huge variety of watercraft is smoothly researched and presented. Gritty, tough, and well done--this one's a treat. --Diana Borse for Reviewing the Evidence, September 2016. A terrific mystery with just the right amount of drama and intrigue to carry the reader along…. As a journalist, I could really relate to Taylor and his desire to write a really great story…. Samantha also helps Taylor in the investigation, and I liked her character very much. She is a good counter-point to Taylor's idealism, as well as bringing her skills as a police officer to his efforts to find out who is bringing China White into the country. --Maryann Writes Blog, It's Not All Gravy inventory #46764 ISBN: 9781603812115.