Liquid Shades of Blue
by James Polkinghorn
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Pub Date May 16 2023 | Archive Date Jun 26 2023
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Description
When hungover ex-lawyer and Key West bar owner Jack Girard groggily wakes up one morning, he’s greeted by a beautiful woman lying next to him and a shrill, ringing telephone. Seeing the call is from his father, Claude “The Duke” Girard, Jack answers. Within seconds, he learns that his mother is dead in an apparent suicide, and Jack hits the road, heading back to his childhood home in Miami to face his tyrannical father.
The death of his mother brings up haunting memories from Jack’s past—memories of his brother Bobby’s suicide when they were in college together. Being back in Miami only continues to dredge up his family traumas, but things grow more complicated when The Duke suggests that his estranged wife’s alleged suicide may have been a murder.
As Jack begins to uncover the truth about his mother’s death, including the secret she had revealed to only two people—the same secret Bobby had taken with him to his grave—he finds himself in imminent danger. Can Jack reveal the true story before it’s too late? He has to act quickly, or he fears he may be the victim of the next Girard family tragedy.
Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter and Harlan Coben.
Advance Praise
“Liquid Shades of Blue is a ride on the lethal waves of corruption and murder in a place that shimmers like diamonds in the sun. James Polkinghorn knows these South Florida courtrooms and waterways like the back of his hand. This one sticks to you like the humidity of a summer night in Key West.” —Michael Connelly, New York Times best-selling author
“Smart, sophisticated, slow-burn suspense that builds to a final scene you won't expect—don't miss this.” —Lee Child, New York Times best-selling author
“Rarely are debut novels this original, taut, and polished. Liquid Shades of Blue is an intoxicating cocktail of equal parts John Grisham, Miami Vice, and Ernest Hemingway, served stiff and chilled. Like a dead body. Hollywood, take note.” —Larry Loftis, New York Times best-selling author
“All the more impressive when considering that Liquid Shades of Blue is author James Polkinghorn's first novel, this psychological suspense thriller of a read will hold a special appeal for readers with an interest in carefully crafted amateur sleuth stories that come with more unexpected plot twists and turns than an Oklahoma tornado. Original, fascinating, memorable, Liquid Shades of Blue is highly recommended.” —Midwest Book Review
Marketing Plan
Hardcover PR & Marketing Highlights:
• Mailing of physical & digital ARCs to major trade publications, notable bookstores, book reviewers, social media influencers and digital media
• Submit for BookBub promotion
• Pitch title at Distributor Sales Conference
• Goodreads giveaway of 100 digital copies, 2 months prior to publication
• Advertising in trade publications
• Featured new release in Oceanview monthly newsletter
• E-blast to Oceanview’s email list of 7,000 mystery, thriller & suspense fans
• E-blast to Oceanview’s email list of 16,000 booksellers, and librarians
• Launch month feature on Oceanview’s social media and website home page
• Submission for award consideration
• Amazon A+ description/feature
• Ongoing co-op advertising with Amazon, Ingram, Baker and Taylor via distributor
• Ongoing submission for special promotions with major retailers
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781608095506 |
| PRICE | $27.95 (USD) |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Cathy G, Reviewer
Liquid Shades of Blue by James Polkinghorn
Powerful, compelling, thought provoking, dark, and tragic – Wow!
What I liked:
* The prologue that caught my attention and made me wonder “why?” and then “what comes next?”
* Jack: bar owner, lawyer, martial arts training, athlete, strong, fit, grew up in a dysfunctional family…even if he didn’t realize it at the time, more complex and interesting than he first seems to be
* Bobby: Jack’s older brother, athletic, conflicted, had secrets, bowed out through suicide much too young
* The plot, pacing, location in Key West and Miami, and the writing
* The twists and turns and surprises
* Being able to really HATE the bad guy
* That this book made me think, care, and hope
* Reading a new-to-me author that I really enjoyed
* The conclusion of the story
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how evil some people are
* Thinking about the impact family and religion can have for the positive and the negative on so many lives
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
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