From Publishers Weekly
Frank Corso, a renegade journalist with a conscience and a penchant for solitude, makes a winning debut in this new series from the author of the Leo Waterman novels (The Bum's Rush, etc.). Booted out of New York City and nearly out of journalism because of a nasty libel suit, Corso is taken on by the third-rate Seattle Sun and its proprietor, the steely Natalie Van Der Hoven. One of Frank's early pieces for the Sun examined the investigation of the "Trashman" crimes, a series of gruesome rapes and murders. The suspect, Walter Leroy Himes, was unsavory enough, but Corso wasn't convinced that he was the Trashman. Now Himes's execution date is fast approaching, and his principal accuser suddenly reveals that she was badgered into fingering Himes. As soon as Corso asks a question or two around the Seattle police department, the whole place starts alternately squirming and blustering. Corso enlists Meg Dougherty, a freelance photographer with legal training, as his assistant. Meg is covered head to toe with bizarre tattoos, thanks to a malicious boyfriend and one night of drugged sleep. More importantly, she's sharp and tough. Instead of ending with the pair sniffing out the real Trashman, Ford tweaks his tale a few more times, with missing evidence, secret lovers and a parent gone mad with grief. There's a love story here, too, tender and solid, that sneaks up on the reader and on the couple in question. Only a master could serve up such a fine story and then some. (May 1)Forecast: With a blurb from Harlan Coben, plus the popularity of the six Leo Waterman novels, this one could push Ford onto mystery bestseller charts.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Ford, the author of half a dozen deservedly popular Leo Wasserman mysteries, introduces Frank Corso, a defrocked journalist who was fired from the New York Times for fabricating a story and is lucky to be working as a columnist at the lowly Seattle Sun in Washington. The curmudgeonly Corso is glad to be toiling in relative obscurity, especially because he's making a pile of money on the side as an author of crime novels, but all that changes when the publisher who hired him calls in her favor by thrusting him back into the spotlight. There is new evidence that Seattle's finest may have arrested the wrong man to close a grisly serial murder case, and Corso is assigned to investigate. The problem is that the admittedly despicable Walter Lee Himes is due to be executed in six days, and neither a public bent on retribution nor a police department anxious to save face is in a mood to tolerate delays. The race against the clock lends urgency to Ford's narrative, but the most interesting plot twists come after time expires. This is a strong start to what promises to be another absorbing series from one of the mystery genre's most skilled writers. Dennis Dodge
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The author of the highly acclaimed Leo Waterman mysteries launches a crackling new sieres, creating a Harry Bosch of the Pacific Northwest. Frank Corso was a rising New York Times journalist until a libel suit ended his career. These days he's covering stories for the third-rate Seattle Sun. He owes the owner, Natalie Van Der Hove, and now she's calling in her marker.

A killer on death row might be innocent. If that's the truth, Natalie wants the story—before the guy fries in six days. Corso won't stop until he's got all the facts. And when he goes to press, Seattle's going to rumble with fury.

FROM THE CRITICS

Dennis Lehane

One of my favorite contemporary crime writers. G.M. Ford's at the top of his game and that's as good as it gets.

Harlan Coben

Fury is a winner—with great bomb-ticking suspense and Ford's new kick-ass hero Frank Corso. Must reading.

Seattle Magazine

The best writer of Seattle-oriented crime fiction these days is...G.M. Ford...Fury deserves to be a publishing rage.

Martha C. Lawrence

Part Sam Spade, part Hunter S. Thompson, Frank Corso is irresistible. You know you're in the hands of a superior storyteller.

Publishers Weekly

Frank Corso, a renegade journalist with a conscience and a penchant for solitude, makes a winning debut in this new series from the author of the Leo Waterman novels (The Bum's Rush, etc.). Booted out of New York City and nearly out of journalism because of a nasty libel suit, Corso is taken on by the third-rate Seattle Sun and its proprietor, the steely Natalie Van Der Hoven. One of Frank's early pieces for the Sun examined the investigation of the "Trashman" crimes, a series of gruesome rapes and murders. The suspect, Walter Leroy Himes, was unsavory enough, but Corso wasn't convinced that he was the Trashman. Now Himes's execution date is fast approaching, and his principal accuser suddenly reveals that she was badgered into fingering Himes. As soon as Corso asks a question or two around the Seattle police department, the whole place starts alternately squirming and blustering. Corso enlists Meg Dougherty, a freelance photographer with legal training, as his assistant. Meg is covered head to toe with bizarre tattoos, thanks to a malicious boyfriend and one night of drugged sleep. More importantly, she's sharp and tough. Instead of ending with the pair sniffing out the real Trashman, Ford tweaks his tale a few more times, with missing evidence, secret lovers and a parent gone mad with grief. There's a love story here, too, tender and solid, that sneaks up on the reader and on the couple in question. Only a master could serve up such a fine story and then some. (May 1) Forecast: With a blurb from Harlan Coben, plus the popularity of the six Leo Waterman novels, this one could push Ford onto mystery bestseller charts. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information. Read all 6 "From The Critics" >

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Fury is a winner—great bomb-ticking suspense, a wonderful sense of place, fine writing, and flesh-and-bones characters, especially Ford's new kick-ass hero Frank Corso. Must reading. — Harlan Coben