Author Description

The FIRST Payton Sherwood Mystery Novel, from the author of LOSERS LIVE LONGERNew 2017 reprint contains BONUS mystery story: "East Village Noir" from Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine June 1996 issuePrivate eye Payton Sherwood, returning late one night to his East Village office after an upstate case, runs into trouble in the form of three bull-necked heavies and a tough 16-year-old runaway named Glory. After taking a beating and losing his gold wristwatch, Payton is left bleeding on the sidewalk.Tracking afte Glory and his stolen watch, Payton winds his way through Alphabet City--in and out of trendy after-hours dives, across vacant lots and occupied squats and into barrio tenements. Here the shadows that frighten aren't those that shade the street but rather the soul. Payton's dusk-to-dawn nightmare on the wide side is about to begin--and nothng will stop it but death..."Place descritons are clearly, even beautifully focused, and his tawdry locales are inhabited by characters who are not only fascinating to study but real enought to look back at you."--The New York Times Book Review"An impressive debut. Russell Atwood takes the rusty private eye novel and oils it and gives it new charm and a fresh look."--Michael Connelly, bestselling author of THE BRASS VERDICT."EAST OF A establishes a new category of suspense fiction: downtown noir. Atwood definitely has his finger on the pulse of the city that never sleeps."--Jeffery Deaver, bestselling author of ROADSIDE CROSSES.