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Big City, Bad Blood

by Sean Chercover

Big City, Bad Blood Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

A disillusioned newspaper reporter turned private detective, Ray Dudgeon isn't trying to save the world. He just wants to do an honest job, and do it well. But when doing an honest job threatens society's most powerful and corrupt, Ray's odds for survival make for a sucker's bet. . . .

While working on a movie in Chicago, Hollywood locations manager Bob Loniski saw something he shouldn't have. Now he's a prosecution witness against a suspected member of the Chicago Outfit. Petrified, he comes to Ray for protection. Ray's mob contacts insist that they have no interest in Loniski, so he takes the bodyguard gig.

Then people start dying and everything goes to hell.

Ray's investigation leads to a stash of blackmail files involving the sex trade, Washington political corruption, and a deadly power struggle among Chicago's organized crime bosses-- setting the FBI, the Chicago police, and the mob on his tail. He now holds evidence against top-ranking cops and politicians . . . but with the line between good and bad blurring, he doesn't know who he can trust.

If he does the right thing, Ray is sure to die. But if he doesn't, how can he live with himself?

From the back alleys of Chicago to the man-sions of Beverly Hills to the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., Sean Chercover's Big City, Bad Blood propels readers relentlessly forward on a bullet-fast, adrenaline-pumping ride they will not soon forget.

Synopsis:

Disillusioned newspaper reporter-turned-private detective Ray Dudgeon isn't trying to save the world. He just wants to do a little good, but, as he's about to be reminded, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Synopsis:

Disillusioned newspaper reporter-turned-private detective Ray Dudgeon doesn't want to save the world; he just wants to do an honest job well. But when doing an honest job threatens society's most powerful and corrupt, Ray's odds of survival make for a sucker's bet . . .

A simple bodyguard job for a Hollywood locations manager uncovers a rats' nest of sexual blackmail, murder, and high-level political corruption . . . and Ray Dudgeon is caught in a war between the FBI, the Chicago police, and the mob. With the line between good and bad blurring, Ray doesn't know who he can trust—or if he can even trust himself.

About the Author

Formerly a private investigator in Chicago and New Orleans, Sean Chercover has since written for film, television, and print. He splits his time between Chicago and Toronto, and generally stays out of trouble. Big City, Bad Blood is his first novel.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
FredinVick, August 1, 2008 (view all comments by FredinVick)
Ray Dudgeon is a former investigative journalist turned hardboiled PI in Chicago. He has his own ideas of justice and takes no prisoners. The character reminds me of Spillane's Mike Hammer. This is an excellent first novel with well developed, interesting characters, and some good descriptions of Chicago settings.

Dudgeon had planned to take some time off during the Christmas holidays, but is talked into being a bodyguard for a Hollywood type who is a witness against a lower ranking mobster in the Outfit (someone who has not yet made his bones). The case turns out to be more complex than it originally appeared as there is a power play within the Outfit and questions about who is siding with whom. There is corruption is high places. and Dudgeon finds himself entangled in a web. The novel is a page turner that holds your attention.

A short story about PI Ray Dudgeon is included in the collection "Killer Year." I would hope to see more of the character. Like the late Dashiel Hammett, the author was a PI for a short period early in his career.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780061128684
Author:
Chercover, Sean
Publisher:
Harper
Author:
by Sean Chercover
Subject:
Suspense
Subject:
Organized crime
Subject:
Private investigators
Subject:
Mystery fiction
Publication Date:
March 2008
Binding:
Mass Market Paperbound
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
336
Dimensions:
6.78x4.20x.97 in. .37 lbs.

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