Secret Dead Men - by Duane Swierczynski (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A smart-talking supernatural noir, full of twists and turns, delivered at a whipalong pace about a dead investigative-journalist-turned-soul-collector on the trail of his nemesis - and murderer. Perfect for fans of Ben Aaranovitch and Richard Kadrey.

"Secret Dead Men is the most inventive, uplifting, hilarious, moving novel since Catcher in the Rye" - Ken Bruen

Del Farmer isn't your ordinary hardboiled private eye. Instead of collecting fingerprints or clues, he collects souls of the recently dead. His latest dead guy, Brad Larsen, might just be the key to destroying Farmer's long-time nemesis, The Association.

Of course, Farmer is sadly mistaken. An FBI agent unstuck in time is toying with him. A mysterious couple keeps trying to kill him. Another job ― a mundane babysitting gig that pays the bills ― is threatening to steer him way off course into a violent hell of sexual deceit, fractured identities and cheap apartment toilets.

With only a head packed full of nagging ghosts, Del realises this case might just drive him out of his mind, literally.

Review Quotes

Secret Dead Men is the most inventive, uplifting, hilarious, moving novel since Catcher in the Rye - Ken Bruen

Duane Swierczynski is one of the best thriller writers in America, and probably my favorite - James Frey, New York Times bestselling author of Bright Shiny Morning and A Million Little Pieces

Duane Swierczynski puts the rest of the crime-writing world on notice. So learn to spell the last name. He's going to be around for a while - Laura Lippman, Edgar Award-winning author of Every Secret Thing on The Wheelman

Swierczynski cleverly melds the thriller and fantasy elements (especially the notion of nonlinear time), producing a thoroughly readable, suspenseful romp - Bill Ott, Booklist on Expiration Date

Swierczynski writes a brand of thriller whose pacing forces us to reexamine our casual use of the word breakneck - Booklist on Severance Package

Swierczynski is brilliant at fooling even savvy readers, and his jaw-dropping twists never compromise his exceptional character development - Publishers' Weekly.

About the Author

DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI IS THE TWO-TIME EDGAR-NOMINATED AUTHOR OF 15 NOVELS INCLUDING REVOLVER, CANARY, THE WHEELMAN, THE BLONDE AND SEVERANCE PACKAGE.

Duane's short story "Lush" was included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2019, and is currently being adapting into a feature by director Chad Stahelski (John Wick) for Lionsgate.
Duane also has written various bestselling comics for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Archie and Valiant, including Cable, Deadpool, The Immortal Iron Fist, Punisher MAX, Birds of Prey, Star Wars: Rogue One, Godzilla, Bloodshot as well as his creator-owned Breakneck and John Carpenter's Tales of Science Fiction Presents: Redhead.

Duane has also collaborated with bestselling novelist James Patterson on three Audible Original radio dramas. The first, The Guilty, starred John Lithgow, Bryce Dallas-Howard and Aldis Hodge. He also co-wrote a series of bestselling "digi-novels" with CSI creator Anthony E. Zuiker.

Duane is also the author of six nonfiction books about vice and crime, including The Perfect Drink for Every Occasion, The Big Book of Beer (Quirk), and This Here's A Stick-Up: The Big Bad Book of American Bank Robbery (Alpha/Penguin). Earlier in his career, Duane worked as an editor at Details, Men's Health and Philadelphia magazines, and served as the editor-in-chief of the Philadelphia City Paper.
A native Philadelphian, Duane now lives in Southern California with his family.
Twitter/X: @swierczy; Instagram: @swierczy; Facebook: facebook.com/swierczy; website: gleefulmayhem.com