LOYALTY

Debut author Ingrid Thoft is ready to thrill with this Boston-based novel about a P.I. who works with her family’s law firm. But her next case strikes too close to home when her sister-in-law vanishes.

A body in Boston Harbor. A family of ambulance-chasing laywers. A private investigator who doesn’t play by the rules.
The Ludlows are a boisterous, hard-charging family, and patriarch Carl Ludlow treats his offspring like employees… which they are: three brothers work under their father at the family law firm. But Fina Ludlow is a bit of a black sheep, the only one of her siblings to drop out of law school. Still, her father keeps her close by retaining her as his firm’s private investigator, working alongside her brothers.
Juggling her family of high-powered (and highly dysfunctional) attorneys, the cops, and Boston’s criminal element is usually something Fina does without breaking a sweat. But when her sister-in-law disappears, she finds herself caught up in a case unlike any she’s encountered before. Her investigation plunges her into the world of expensive escorts and medical malpractice lawsuits, testing her P.I. skills, her physical stamina, her offbeat sense of humor, and even her sanity. When her brother becomes the main suspect and ugly family secrets come to light, Fina rushes to uncover the truth of her sister-in-law’s murder, while calculating the high price of family loyalty.
Carl wants things resolved quickly and quietly—and without police interference. But the deeper Fina digs, the more impossible that seems. As the Ludlows try to close ranks, Fina’s brother Rand and his unruly teenage daughter Hayley grow increasingly distant from the family who most want to protect them. The more Fina digs, the greater the pressure to remain loyal to the family becomes. But Fina is after the truth… no matter the cost. · The time is right to introduce a tough, new, gritty female protagonist—a P.I. for the 21st century: Fina Ludlow represents the next generation of tenacious female P.I.s. Her no-nonsense style will have great crossover appeal for men and women readers. She’s smart, tough, and funny; she recognizes the craziness in her own family and loves them—and will protect them—anyway. · Great Cast of Repeat Characters: The Ludlow family has a back story as deep as the Grand Canyon. From driven, no-nonsense family patriarch Carl; to brothers Rand, Scotty, and Matthew; plus the memory of Fina’s long-dead sister; the Ludlow family provides endless narrative fodder for the series. Fina’s world is further enriched by a large stable of disreputable contacts, a special relationship with a certain Boston cop, and a handsome male best friend. Populated with great secondary characters, the book—and the series—promise to have staying power. · A sharp, edgy contemporary thriller in the great tradition of female P.I.s: Even Kinsey Millhone, V.I. Warshawski, and Anna Pigeon had to get their start somewhere. Fina Ludlow follows in the footsteps of these great female characters, with a bit of Joe Pike/Elvis Cole swagger thrown in as well. Fina’s approach is completely modern: She’s not above a roll in the hay with her cop friend or her massage therapist friend; Pop Tarts are a good breakfast choice; she can accessorize with an arm cast or use it as a weapon. But she’s a traditionalist to her core, and her family, despite its shortcomings, means everything to her. · Immensely Promotable Author: Literate, well-spoken, and driven, Ingrid Thoft will be an excellent advocate for her books. Motivated by a desire to be completely authentic, she enrolled in a university certificate program to learn the finer points of private detection. Definitely NOT your average armchair detective! · Great Boston setting: Mystery/crime readers have long had a soft spot for Boston. Readers will love the view from the Ludlow & Associates office overlooking Boston Harbor. · First of … With a second book already in the works, the Fina Ludlow series is being positioned for yearly publication, a proven way to build and grow a loyal following. Born in Boston, Ingrid Thoft worked as an entertainment and education writer before making the transition to fiction. Her interest in private investigation and her desire to create a believable P.I. character led her to the certificate program in private investigation at the University of Washington. The program taught investigative techniques and covered topics in surveillance, accident reconstruction, cyber and domestic investigations, and interviewing techniques. LOYALTY is her first novel; she’s at work on a second.