Exit 4.5

 By: Ben Sanders 

Location: FIC SAN

Genre: Mystery, Crime

'It's easy to see what the fuss is about. Sanders' prose is sharper than a switchblade . . . It's like Raymond Chandler, Lee Child and Elmore Leonard rolled into one.' - Sydney Morning Herald on American Blood

Marshall Grade returns in an action-packed thrillride through the New York underworld.

When a former NYPD colleague is shot dead in front of him, private investigator Marshall Grade discovers there's far more to the killing than meets the eye.

Ray Vialoux is in trouble. Big trouble. And he needs Marshall Grade's help.

Reluctantly, Grade agrees to meet. Over dinner in a Brooklyn restaurant, he learns that his former NYPD colleague owes money - a lot of money - to the wrong people. But the conversation is cut short by gunfire, and suddenly Ray is lying dead on the restaurant floor.

As Marshall investigates the circumstances leading up to the murder, tracking down the drug dealers, bag men, bent cops and mob players within Ray's orbit, it becomes clear there's far more to the killing than a gambling debt. Just who is responsible for Vialoux's death . . . and why? What secrets are his family hiding? And can Marshall find the answers before his own history marks him as the prime suspect?

Gloria Arthurs review

"... This an explosive crime thriller that’s gritty and action packed with a touch of dark wit.

Meet Marshall Grade, he’s an ex NYPD undercover cop. Marshall has a methodical and quirky obsession with parameters and meticulously tending to his Jackson Pollock jigsaw. He’s smart, tough and a high risk taker and has an impulse to right wrongs.

Marshall reluctantly agrees to meet up with former college Ray Vialoux at a quiet Italian restaurant. Ray explains that he’s in deep trouble, owing a lot of money to the wrong people and needs Marshall’s help.

Suddenly gunfire is exploding through the restaurant window and Ray is shot dead right before Marshall’s eyes. Marshall needs to find answers and enters the world of drug dealers and mob players. He uncovers family secrets and finds there’s more to Ray’s murder than a gambling debt.

An entertaining and medium paced read, I really warmed to Marshall’s complex and impulsive character and recommend this to anyone who enjoys the Jack Reacher type genre."