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The Pine Barrens Stratagem

From the Case Files of Steve Rockfish

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About this listen

Private Investigator Steve Rockfish needs cash, like yesterday. The bad news is that yesterday, a global pandemic raged, and Maryland was headed toward a lockdown that would ultimately lead to cheating spouses no longer “working late”, and hence a lack of new clients.

Rockfish's luck changes when a Hollywood producer reaches out, but the job is two states away and involves digging up information on a child-trafficking ring from the 1940s. What he uncovers will be used to support the launch of a true-crime docuseries. He grabs a mask and hand sanitizer and heads for South Jersey.

Onsite, Rockfish meets Jawnie McGee, the great granddaughter of a local policeman gone missing while investigating the original crimes. As the duo uncovers more clues, they learn the same criminal alliance has reformed to use the pandemic as a conduit to defraud the federal government of that sweet, sweet stimulus money.

It's not long before the investigation turns up some key intel on a myriad of illicit activity over the last 80 years and Rockfish rockets toward a showdown with the mafia, local archdiocese, and dirty cops. COVID-19 isn't the only threat to his health.

©2021 Black Rose Writing (P)2021 Black Rose Writing Crime Crime Thrillers Fiction Mystery Private Investigators Suspense Thriller Thriller & Suspense Detective Money
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Former FBI man Ken Harris brings us a private-eye adventure that succeeds in being both nostalgic fun and bang up to date. Rockfish, a boozy Rockford-styled throwback with a heart of gold, negotiates his way through 2020 lockdowns, social distancing and Covid-denying Trumpers. On the way he teams up with a tech-savvy vegan female sidekick to unearth a plot involving historical murders, corrupt local police, the mob and the Catholic Church. Harris’s writing is fast-paced and the characters well-rounded, with plenty of winks to his audience and sympathies on full display. You won’t get bored and it will leave you wanting more Rockfish.

Absorbing 2020 caper

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Had a great time with this book. Funny, likable characters and a fast paced, punchy story that never got dull. Can't wait for the next book to carry on following these characters.

Great start to the series

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