The Banker - (Andy Roark Mystery) by Peter Colt (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Embezzlement, murder, and beautiful women . . . Andy Roark, Vietnam veteran turned private investigator is on the case in this thrilling hardboiled mystery that's perfect for fans of Robert B. Parker and Jeremiah Healy.

"Fans of Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels . . . will be eager to see more of Roark" Publishers Weekly

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

Boston, 1986. Spring in Boston is always a miserable affair, and Andy Roark's latest case offers nothing to raise his spirits. The ex-military operative turned private investigator has been hired by a bank president to investigate three of his staff. One of them has embezzled over two million dollars - and Brock wants Roark to find out who's living above their means.

Sounds exciting enough, but after two weeks' tedious surveillance uncovers a grand total of nothing, Roark gives it up as a bad job. Brock needs a forensic accountant on the case, not a PI.

But several weeks later, the bank is held up, and one of Brock's suspects is murdered by the robber. Is there a connection? Roark can't see how, but he's never been a fan of coincidence.

With the case niggling at him, he relaunches an investigation on his own dime. Soon he's rubbing shoulders with some very shady characters - and trying his best not just to solve the case, but also to come out of it alive.

Written by a US Army veteran and New England police officer, the Andy Roark mystery series will appeal to fans of classic private detective novels, packed with wry humor, unexpected twists and explosive scenes.

Review Quotes

Fluent writing with a forward push . . . A fine, rumbustious story-- "Booklist"

[A] deft and gracious crime novel-- "Booklist on The Judge"

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"

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

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"

Gritty prose, lively characters, and deep local color . . . A smooth, atmospheric mystery with a shamus you'll root for-- "Kirkus Reviews on The Judge"

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

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

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"