BACK COVER DESCRIPTION
Steve Cassidy Is Back!
Private Investigator Steve Cassidy returns for another adventure involving murder, intrigue, scams, former and current lovers, and his distinctive sarcastic loathing for everyone, including himself.
Six months after solving a celebrated missing persons cold case, the ex-cop’s life appears to be back on track. For the first time, his private investigation business is booming after a True Crime book portrayed him as a reformed man and one to watch in the future.
Unfortunately, these days many people are watching him.
When mysterious events happen to Steve’s loved ones, the police, the press and even his friends begin to question his every move. To complicate his life further, a cryptic telephone call begins a new investigation into the bizarre death of a woman keeping a secret.
With his life in shambles and warrants being issued in his name, a road trip may hold the key to maintaining his sanity. Regrettably, trouble has a way of finding Steve Cassidy.
With its rich blend of humour, cynicism, hope, denial, and hardcore investigative techniques, When Angels Fail To Fly gives a fresh twist on the belief, “Only fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”
PRESS RELEASE
December 7, 2009 – Windsor, ON
Canadian author John Schlarbaum’s troubled private investigator Steve Cassidy is back for a second mystery involving murder, intrigue, insurance scams, missing persons, former and current loves, and his distinctive sarcastic loathing for everyone, including himself.
In 2008, the first book in The Steve Cassidy Mystery series, Barry Jones’ Cold Dinner was released to positive reviews and solid sales. The new novel, When Angels Fail To Fly finds the main character again at odds with the law, the press, friends, and even other investigators.
After regaining some personal redemption at the conclusion of the last adventure, the disgraced former ex-cop’s life seems back on track. His P.I. business is booming and he’s settled down with his girlfriend. Even a true crime novel about his celebrated cold case file portrays him as a reformed man and one to watch. Unfortunately, several people are watching him these days. When mysterious events happen to Steve’s loved ones, people begin to question his every move. To complicate life further, a cryptic phone call begins a new investigation into the bizarre death of a woman keeping a fatal secret.
“In the first novel Steve Cassidy was a man on a mission, not only to solve a big case, but to make amends for past personal and professional transgressions,” author and former private investigator Schlarbaum states. “Unfortunately, I could only scratch the surface of his many self-inflicted failures. After Barry Jones’ Cold Dinner release, many readers asked if more of Steve’s so-called lost years would be revealed in the sequel. I am happy to say by the end of this book, everyone will know exactly what makes Steve tick, although they might not agree with some of his decisions.”
In contrast to the first book’s leisurely small-town investigative tempo, When Angels Fail To Fly is fast-paced throughout, as Steve attempts to stay ahead of the authorities and the press.
“I envisioned a road trip-type investigation, with Steve travelling from city to city searching for clues. However, the characters would lead me in other directions, usually ending with Steve on the run!”
Another new feature Schlarbaum undertook was writing a separate story-within-the-story, introducing key players of the case before Steve Cassidy’s investigation really begins.
“I have often thought of writing a ‘fictional true crime’ story – outlining the crime in question, and profiling the different players. That is what I’ve done with several chapters in this sequel, writing in a third-person narrative, giving the reader a glimpse into the personalities of those involved in Steve’s investigation. The reader – now knowing the true circumstances – will then be carried along his wild investigative ride thinking, ‘How is Steve going to connect these dots and solve the case?’”
With its rich blend of humour, cynicism, hope, denial, and hardcore investigative techniques, When Angels Fail To Fly gives a fresh twist on the belief “Only fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”
When Angels Fail To Fly and Barry Jones’ Cold Dinner can be purchased online at the author’s website: www.scannerpublishing.com, Page 233 Bookstore in Amherstburg, Ontario, through the Chapters bookstore chain, and other stores listed on the website.
