Eyes of the Innocent - (Carter Ross Mysteries) by Brad Parks (Paperback)

About the Book

A house fire in Newark, New Jersey, kills two young boys left home alone, and investigative reporter Carter Ross is dispatched to write a follow-up. Carter soon discovers the boys' mother isn't what she seems, and neither is the fire, in this sequel to "Faces of the Gone."

Book Synopsis

From the author of the award-winning Faces of the Gone, comes Brad Parks's Eyes of the Innocent, another thrilling and thoroughly entertaining installment in the Carter Ross mysteries series.

Carter Ross, investigative reporter for the Newark Eagle-Examiner, is reporting on the latest tragedy to befall Newark, New Jersey, a fast-moving house fire that kills two boys. With the help of the paper's newest intern, a bubbly blonde known as "Sweet Thang," Carter finds the victims' mother, Akilah Harris, who spins a tale of woe about a mortgage rate reset that forced her to work two jobs and leave her boys home alone. Carter turns the story into a front page feature, but soon discovers Akilah isn't what she seems. When Newark councilman Windy Byers is reported missing, Carter must plunge into the murky world of urban house flipping and Jersey-style political corruption, aided by his usual mix of humor and street smarts.

Review Quotes

"An engaging personality, ...Carter Ross [is] the New Jersey investigative reporter narrating Brad Parks's 'Eyes of the Innocent'..., a capable follow-up to this author's award-winning debut mystery." --Tom Nolan, Wall Street Journal

"A breezy, entertaining sequel to Parks' well-received debut." --Kirkus Reviews

"Zany characters, witty dialog, and a plot that races to a bang-up finish are guaranteed to have readers cheering for the good guys. Parks's sequel to his acclaimed debut, Faces of the Gone, is as good if not better. Think Lisa Scottoline meets Richard Yancey." --Library Journal (starred review)

"Readers will meet colorful characters from the newsroom and the shady side of Newark in this fast-paced, suspenseful story. Parks' writing is clever and witty in this entertaining read." --RT Book Reviews (four stars)

"Eyes of the Innocent is the complete package. With wonderful prose, witty observations and a relentless drive, this book held me hostage until the last page. Well done, Brad Parks!" --Michael Connelly

About the Author

BRAD PARKS is the only author to have won the Shamus, Nero and Lefty Awards, three of crime fiction's most prestigious prizes. A former reporter for The Washington Post and The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger, he is the author of the Carter Ross mysteries, starting with Faces of the Gone. He lives in Virginia.