Synopses & Reviews
Reading his own newspapers obituaries, veteran reporter Carter Ross comes across that of a woman named Nancy Marino, who was the victim of a hit-and-run while she was on the job delivering copies of that very paper, the Eagle-Examiner. Struck by the opportunity to write a heroic piece about an everyday woman killed too young, he heads to her wake to gather tributes and anecdotes. Its the last place Ross expects to find controversy—which is exactly what happens when one of Nancys sisters convinces him that the accident might not have been accidental at all.
It turns out that the kind and generous Nancy may have made a few enemies, starting with her boss at the diner where she was a part-time waitress, and even including the publisher of the Eagle-Examiner. Carters investigation of this seemingly simple story soon has him in big trouble with his full-time editor and sometime girlfriend, Tina Thompson, not to mention the rest of his bosses at the paper, but he cant let it go—the story is just too good, and it keeps getting better. But will his nose for trouble finally take him too far?
Brad Parkss smart-mouthed, quick-witted reporter returns in The Girl Next Door—another action-packed entry in his award-winning series, written with an unforgettable mix of humor and suspense.
Review
Praise for Eyes of the Innocent
“Engaging... A capable follow-up to this authors award-winning debut mystery.”
—The Wall Street Journal
“Fast-paced, thoroughly satisfying... Carter Ross is not only a first-rate investigative reporter; hes also a first-rate comic. Its a rare mystery that provides a good laugh on almost every page. One can only hope that Brad Parks has more mysteries for Carter Ross to solve in future books.”
—The [Newark] Star-Ledger
“Eyes of the Innocent is the complete package. With wonderful prose, witty observations, and a relentless drive, this book held me hostage until the last page. Well done, Brad Parks!”
—Michael Connelly
Praise for Faces of the Gone
“Impressive debut... Carters fresh voice, his willingness to be entertained balanced by honest sympathy and some sharp editorializing, is the books considerable strength. The action, including a string of bombings, is brisk; the villains identity is elusive; and the settings (from the projects to National Drug Bureau offices) ring true. How could this be better?”
—Houston Chronicle
“Brad Parks [has] delivered a first-rate crime thriller.... Faces of the Gone is gritty and hard-boiled, but with a sly sense of humor. This strong and confident debut is sure to make an appearance on many ‘best of and awards lists. Parks is a bright new talent whom readers will hopefully be able to enjoy for years to come.”
—Chicago Sun-Times
“Commanding, entertaining... Parks, former reporter at the Star-Ledger in Newark, shows hes made the transition to becoming a novelist with this impressive debut.”
—South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Review
Praise for The Girl Next Door“The grittiness of northern New Jersey, some of the realities of newspaper work, and the hard-boiled wit of Ross and others has been a winning formula. . . An excellent choice for [a reader] who enjoys a gritty mystery and a wry laugh.”
—Washington Independent Review of Books
“With his third featuring brash, breezy, unflappable Carter, Parks propels himself to a niche shared by only a handful of others: writers who can manage the comedy-mystery.”
—Kirkus (One of Kirkus's Best Books of 2012)
“Brad Parks spins a terrific yarn in The Girl Next Door. . .[he] not only intrigues the reader with his plot but also impeccably depicts newsrooms and their denizens. A combination of grit and wit, The Girl Next Door honors the mystery genre, a noble profession and—not least—its author.”
—Richmond Times-Dispatch
“Brad Parks has crafted another complex and satisfying mystery, full of suspense and newsroom intrigue.”
—Newark Star-Ledger
“Award-winning Parkss third Carter Ross mystery has all the elements for a fun escape read—to New Jersey. His chatty style, quick pace, and trademark team efforts make this series a refreshing tonic for the mystery soul.”
—Library Journal
“Darkly humorous… Park hits home with this installment of quirky characters, convincing color, and a Sopranos-worthy ragout of high drama and low comedy.”
—Publishers Weekly
About the Author
BRAD PARKS is the first author to win both the Shamus Award and the Nero Award for Best American Mystery for his debut novel, Faces of the Gone. A former reporter for The Washington Post and The [Newark] Star-Ledger, he lives in Virginia, and this is his third novel.