Carlyle Clark - The Black Song Inside

6. The Black Song Inside by Carlyle Clark (2013)
The Atticus and Rosemary Mysteries Book 1
Length: 244 pages
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Started: 18 January 2014
Finished: 23 January 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dorothy at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 22 December 2013
Why do I have it? I like contemporary mysteries and Carlyle Clark is a new author for me.

Recently engaged private investigators, Atticus Wynn and Rosemary Sanchez, have both seen and experienced the dark and violent side of life. Nothing, though, has prepared them for the explosive murder case that they are currently working on. This is an investigation that threatens to tear their relationship apart as they struggle to solve a case that could either send them to prison or to the morgue.

Atticus' manipulative ex-girlfriend Claire bursts back into their lives harboring a secret about Rosemary's family that she exploits in order to force the couple to investigate the execution-style slaying of her lover. Taking the case thrusts Rosemary and Atticus headlong into the shadowy world of human trafficking and drug smuggling, while rendering them pawns in Tijuana cartel captain Armando Villanueva's bloody bid to take over the criminal underworld.

The Black Song Inside is a vivid crime thriller rife with murder and madness, threaded with moments of dark gallows humor and the heroism of two flawed and compelling protagonists who, if they can save themselves, may finally learn the nature of redemption and forgiveness.

I must say that while I enjoyed reading this book, it is definitely not for the faint of heart. The plot deals with some seriously dark issues, in a gritty and realistic way. For me, some of the profanity and racial slurs used made reading the story rather difficult, although it certainly enhanced the reality of the characters. I appreciated the thread of gallows humor that was present throughout the story and give this book an A! I will certainly be on the look out for more from this author to read in the future.

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often