Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Polis Books (May 8, 2018)
From the Publisher:
Acclaimed novelist Alex Segura returns with Blackout, his fourth Pete Fernandez Mystery – which drags the embattled PI back to Miami for his deadliest case yet.
In Blackout, startling new evidence in a cold case that’s haunted Pete drags the exiled PI back to his hometown of Miami. But as Pete and his partner Kathy Bentley delve deeper into the unsolved murder, they become entangled in Miami’s obsession with a charismatic and dangerous cult leader and his even more menacing followers. At the same time, the detectives find themselves at odds with a Florida politician’s fixation on wealth, fame and power. It all converges in the heart of the Magic City and Pete is left scrambling to pick up the pieces—or die trying.
The Pete Fernandez novels have always run on two tracks – the long-buried Miami mystery that Pete is forced to solve, and Pete’s often unpredictable evolution from self-destructive alcoholic to somewhat functional private eye. In Blackout, those two tracks blend into one dark, personal and deadly tale of dangerous obsession that will leave Pete Fernandez completely changed. It’s all been building to this.
From M. Denise Costello:
Blackout is the second book of Segura’s that I have read, having finished the book on a plane from New York City recently. The book was partly set near the city, which enhanced the reading for me at this time. Of course, I was glad Pete Fernandez does travel back to Florida on a case. Speaking of setting, Fernandez and Bentley also make a trip to Key West and it was a nice change for me to read about the island without reference to Hemingway (as I am a Hemingway aficionado). I really enjoy this main character, private investigator, and now sober Pete Fernandez and Miami is a great place for a series due to the various cultures, islands, and local places in and near the area. Sadly, the tropical and exotic setting also works due to the organized crime factor.
The novel has a few flashback scenes, which familiarize the reader somewhat to Pete Fernandez and his life without having to have read the earlier books. Some previous characters are present, as well as a few new faces. There’s a lot of subplots and variety of demographics in Segura’s books. There’s the slick, high-powered attorney juxtaposed with the street lawyer and for-the-little guy one. Also, an ambitious Kennedy-esque politician and his wife are part of the story, as well as their hidden shame due to a family member. Fernandez encounters the typical “enforcers” for organized crime, as well as some interesting Key West characters who cannot be stereotyped. All packaged with these characters and subplots are teenage innocence and romance.
I enjoyed getting to know more about Pete and about some of his relationships. Fernandez is such a likeable protagonist who knows he is flawed (as we all are) and tries ever so hard to overcome some emotional obstacles blocking his happiness. I hope Alex Segura keeps writing about Fernandez and his issues because I can relate to this guy and his friends.
I do recommend Blackout as well as Dangerous Ends that I reviewed previously and can be found HERE.
Links:
PR inquiries: jpinter@polisbooks.com
Purchase Links
Indie Bound | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
About Alex Segura:
Alex Segura is a novelist and comic book writer. He is the author of the Pete Fernandez Miami Mystery novels, which include Silent City, Down the Darkest Street, Dangerous Ends, and Blackout all via Polis Books.
He has also written a number of comic books, including the best-selling and critically acclaimed Archie Meets KISS storyline, the “Occupy Riverdale” story, and the Archie Meets Ramones and The Archies one-shots.
His work has appeared in the anthologies Protectors 2, Waiting to be Forgotten: Stories of Crime and Heartbreak inspired by the Replacements and Apollo’s Daughters and in publications including The Daily Beast, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Literary Hub, The Strand, Mental Floss, LitReactor, and more.
A Miami native, he lives in New York with his wife and son.
Find out more about Alex at his web site, and connect with him on Facebook and Twitter.
More blog tour info on Blackout
Hi Denise – this sounds like a really good book … and Alex Segura, an author, I’m pleased to know about … great review as you obviously thoroughly enjoyed the story … cheers Hilary
Thanks for being a part of the tour!