Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Aug 2012
320 pages
Genre: Mysteries
Publication Information
For Virgil Cain, a day of fishing on the Hudson River yields more than he bargained for when, while pulling up anchor, he hooks onto a mysterious steel cylinder. As word of Virgil's strange catch spreads around the local marina, it draws the attention of a crooked city cop, who seizes both the cylinder and Virgil's boat.
Soon, an old drug deal gone sour floats to the surface, and to get to the bottom of it - and to get his boat back - Virgil teams up with a captivating single mom, Dusty, who knows far too much about the cylinder and the pure cocaine it contains. When her past comes calling, the landscape is soon cluttered with the dealer who claims ownership of the cylinder, his murderous sidekick, and a wild card in the form of a crazy Russian cowboy. Virgil and Dusty find themselves trapped square in the middle of it all. And looking for a way out.
Paperback original
"Starred Review. Quirky, believable characters headed by laconic, strong-willed Virgil engage in a battle of wits, violence, and foolery that rivals Elmore Leonard at his best." - Publishers Weekly
"Fifteen routine but thoroughly pleasurable rounds of detection, action, double-crossing and highly competitive treasure-hunting." - Kirkus Reviews
"Much in the manner of Elmore Leonard, Smith is terrific at shaping ordinary folks into crime-fiction protagonists who rely on wits, humor, and untapped reservoirs of courage to do what needs doing. Another winner from a very talented writer." - Booklist
This information about Crow's Landing was first featured
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Brad Smith was born and raised in southern Ontario. He has worked as a farmer, signalman, insulator, truck driver, bartender, schoolteacher, maintenance mechanic, roofer, and carpenter. He lives in an eighty-year-old farmhouse near the north shore of Lake Erie. His novel, One-Eyed Jacks, was nominated for the Dashiell Hammett Prize. Visit him online at www.bradsmithbooks.com.
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