The Ambassador - (Andy Roark Mystery) by Peter Colt

About the Book

Boston, 1985. Gordon Stevenson, the former ambassador of Laos, has been getting death threats, and he demands private investigator Andy Roark take the case. After what Stevenson did during the Vietnam war, though, Roark's almost tempted to cheer the man's would-be assassin on. Then he finds out why he's been headhunted for the job ...

Book Synopsis

A retired ambassador's life is in Andy Roark's hands in this explosive, fast-paced mystery featuring the Vietnam veteran turned private investigator.

"Page-turning . . . the balance of plot and character is perfect" Publishers Weekly Starred Review

"Roark is genuinely likeable (not too tough, but not a patsy)" The New York Times

Boston, 1985. Private Investigator - and former Special Forces operative - Andy Roark knows he doesn't fit in with the regular clientele at the Harvard Club, and that's fine by him. He's at the elegant bar for one reason only: to meet with the former ambassador of Laos. Ambassador Gordon Stevenson has a job for him . . . and Roark's here to turn it down.

So what if Stevenson's been getting death threats? After what he did during the Vietnam war, the lives lost under his incompetent command, Roark's almost tempted to cheer his would-be assassin on. But then Roark finds out why he's been headhunted for the job. The FBI believe one of Roark's old army comrades is behind the threats, and only a fellow Green Beret can hunt the culprit down.

Too many of Roark's brothers in arms are dead. If he can save an old friend from making a terrible mistake, he has no choice but to set his feelings aside and take the case. But old grudges and dark secrets are at play, and Roark soon finds it's not just the ambassador's life that's in danger - it's his own.

Written by a US Army veteran and New England police officer, The Ambassador is full of dry wit, page-turning action and shocking twists - if you haven't met Peter Colt's complex, intriguing hero, it's a great place to start.

Review Quotes

A gritty whodunit that packs an unexpected punch-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Page-turning . . . the balance of plot and character is perfect-- "Publishers Weekly Starred Review"

A classical mystery with an honor-bound detective and a keen sense of place . . . Roark is genuinely likeable (not too tough, but not a patsy)-- "The New York Times on Back Bay Blues"

Atmospheric . . . Should appeal to fans of the early works of Dennis Lehane and Robert B. Parker -- "Library Journal on The Off-Islander"

Colt doesn't pull any punches and plays fair with the reader before the satisfying reveal. Fans of Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels interested in a grittier private investigator will be eager to see more of Roark-- "Publishers Weekly on Death at Fort Devens"

Entertaining . . . Like Philip Marlowe - or Robert Parker's Spenser - Andy has a sharp eye for telling detail and male haberdashery-- "Publishers Weekly on The Off-Islander"

Excellent . . . balances a gripping plot with further development of Roark's character. Jeremiah Healy fans looking for a new Beantown hero will be eager for more-- "Publishers Weekly Starred Review of Back Bay Blues"

Lots of attitude-- "Kirkus Reviews on The Off-Islander"

Roark's skill at his job is displayed amid a gift for self-conscious mockery . . . There's plenty of room for detection and a blood-soaked finale-- "Booklist on Back Bay Blues"

About the Author

Peter Colt is a 1996 graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a BA in Political Science and a 24-year veteran of the Army Reserve with deployments to Kosovo and Iraq as an Army Civil Affairs officer. He is currently a police officer in Rhode Island. He is married with two sons and two perpetually feuding cats.