The Devil's Redhead (New Blood)

The Devil's Redhead (New Blood)

by David Corbett (Author)

Synopsis

"The Devil's Redhead" tells the story of two 'for life' lovers, Dan Abatangelo and Shel Beaudry, whose adventures as the last of the independent 'gentleman' marijuana smugglers ('no violence - it's all about the money') comes to an abrupt end with their arrest in Las Vegas. Dan pleads guilty and receives a ten-year sentence in exchange for a more lenient term for his girlfriend, Shel, the tragic redhead of the book's title. Released from prison, Shel struggles to keep her life on track without Dan's emotional support. Succumbing to a weakness for 'strays' she becomes the sole caregiver of Frank Maas, a psychologically scarred and unstable loner on the fringes of a crime ring operating in the delta. Sensing Shel's growing distance as Dan's release from prison is imminent, Frank plans a quick, ill-conceived score, hoping with money in hand to persuade Shel to disappear with him. The plan backfires miserably, enmeshing Frank, Shel and Dan in a brutal war with a sophisticated and vicious rival Mexican syndicate, an inferno they cannot hope to survive. Written with depth and intensity and moments of explosive violence, "The Devil's Redhead" is above all a soulful love story about the endurance of forgiveness and the power of two people to redeem the past together.

$5.57

Save:$6.98 (56%)

Quantity

1 in stock

More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 384
Edition: First Edition
Publisher: Orion
Published: 15 Dec 2003

ISBN 10: 0752860089
ISBN 13: 9780752860084
Book Overview: Fantastic reviews: 'The plot doesn't begin to tell this story, which comes from some deep well of suffering that finds its graphic expression in the noir vernacular of violence... Corbett writes with an intensity of feeling that doesn't gloss over the pain... Without compromising the stark realism of his bruising style, Corbett has written an astonishingly tender love story' New York Times 'Corbett thunders out of the gate with this gritty, moving debut... swift, highly atmospheric narrative... Corbett's prose dazzles, cutting across the page with passionate force, articulating themes of devotion, lost hope and spiritual renewal in an unforgiving world' Publishers Weekly 'A bullet-fast, high-wire act without a safety net. If it does not get the MWA Best First Novel Edgar Award, there is no justice' Joe Gores, multiple Edgar Award winner

Media Reviews
'The Devil's Redhead by David Corbet is an exceptionally assured first novel. ... Corbett handles dialogue, narrative and and charaterisation like an experienced novelist and is a name to watch.' -- Susanna Yager SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'This is a classy well-written book ... Corbett could well find himself up there with the likes of Coben, Connelly and Cornwell.' TIME OUT 'Full of action, dark and brutal, this is a splendid evocation of West Coast crime and split loyalties that resonates long after the final page is turned, and it reveals a major new voice.' -- Maxim Jakobowski THE GUARDIAN
Author Bio
David Corbett was a senior operative with a prominent San Fransisco private investigation firm for nearly fifteen years, working on a number of high-profile criminal and civil litigations. In 1995 he retired from investigative work to open a law practice with his wife, Terri, a longtime advocate for the poor and victims of AIDS. She died from ovarian cancer in January 2001. He currently resides in Northern California.