The Judge - (Andy Roark Mystery) by Peter Colt (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

When a Boston judge is being blackmailed, Andy Roark must find out who is behind the threat before lives get ruined in this thrilling mystery featuring the Vietnam veteran turned private investigator.

"Fans of Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels . . . will be eager to see more of Roark" Publishers Weekly
"Roark is genuinely likeable (not too tough, but not a patsy)" The New York Times

Boston, 1985. With the late December cold comes a new job for ex-military operative turned private investigator Andy Roark. Boston judge Ambrose Messer is being blackmailed, and he needs Roark's help to stop the culprit.

Messer is judging the bench trial of a chemical company accused of knowingly dumping chemical waste in an unsafe manner, causing birth defects and cancer. The evidence against them is overwhelming, but the message from the blackmailer is clear: If you don't want the world to know your secret, the chemical company wins. Messer doesn't want to let a threat corrupt his judgement . . . but then again, he could lose everything if his secret comes out!

Judging his client to be a man with morals, Roark plunges into action, determined to find the blackmailer before it's too late. But the disturbing, unexpected revelations he uncovers make him a target of some very dangerous people, who soon seem determined not only to wreck the life of his client, but to destroy Roark's too . . .

Review Quotes

[A] deft and gracious crime novel-- "Booklist"

A classical mystery with an honor-bound detective and a keen sense of place . . . Roark is genuinely likeable (not too tough, but not a patsy)-- "The New York Times on Back Bay Blues"

A gritty whodunit that packs an unexpected punch-- "Kirkus Reviews on The Ambassador"

Colt doesn't pull any punches and plays fair with the reader before the satisfying reveal. Fans of Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels interested in a grittier private investigator will be eager to see more of Roark-- "Publishers Weekly on Death at Fort Devens"

Entertaining . . . Like Philip Marlowe - or Robert Parker's Spenser - Andy has a sharp eye for telling detail and male haberdashery-- "Publishers Weekly on The Off-Islander"

Excellent . . . balances a gripping plot with further development of Roark's character. Jeremiah Healy fans looking for a new Beantown hero will be eager for more-- "Publishers Weekly Starred Review of Back Bay Blues"

Gritty prose, lively characters, and deep local color . . . A smooth, atmospheric mystery with a shamus you'll root for-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Lots of attitude-- "Kirkus Reviews on The Off-Islander"

Page-turning . . . the balance of plot and character is perfect-- "Publishers Weekly Starred Review of The Ambassador"

Roark's skill at his job is displayed amid a gift for self-conscious mockery . . . There's plenty of room for detection and a blood-soaked finale-- "Booklist on Back Bay Blues"