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Mohrbooks Literary Agency
Sebastian Ritscher
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English
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THE FORSAKEN

Ace Atkins

The extraordinary new novel in New York Times-bestselling author Ace Atkins' acclaimed series about the real Deep South—“a joy ride into the heart of darkness” (The Washington Post).
Thirty-six years ago, a nameless black man wandered into Jericho, Mississippi, with nothing but the clothes on his back and a pair of paratrooper boots. Less than two days later, he was accused of rape and murder, hunted down by a self-appointed posse, and lynched.

Now evidence has surfaced of his innocence, and county sheriff Quinn Colson sets out not only to identify the stranger’s remains, but to charge those responsible for the lynching. As he starts to uncover old lies and dirty secrets, though, he runs up against fierce opposition from those with the most to lose—and they can play dirty themselves.

Soon Colson will find himself accused of terrible crimes, and the worst part is, the accusations just might stick. As the two investigations come to a head, it is anybody’s guess who will prevail—or even come out of it alive.

Ace Atkins is the author of fifteen books, including three Quinn Colson novels, the first two of which—The Ranger and The Lost Ones—were both nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. He is also the author of three New York Times-bestselling novels in the continuation of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser series. He lives in Oxford, Mississippi.
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Book

Published 2014-07-01 by Putnam

Book

Published 2014-07-01 by Putnam

Comments

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Quinn is facing a seemingly impossible string of complications in this fourth series installment, but somehow all these layers of catastrophe make sense together, a testament to Atkins’ ability to capture small-town life. The dive into Jericho’s dark past makes for great reading as Atkins rolls through a handful of perspectives, propelling the story’s threads toward an adrenaline-laced, Wild West–style conclusion.

UK rights to Corsair/Constable & Robinson

Lean prose, solid pacing, and a compelling lead distinguish bestseller Atkins’ gritty fourth Quinn Colson novel . . . Quinn resembles the late Robert B. Parker’s Spenser—both are uncomplicated, principled men unafraid to use violence to protect themselves and others.

Atkins is at the top of his game in Quinn’s fourth appearance, filled with nonstop action and moral ambiguities. The sheriff’s many flaws only enhance his human appeal.