Library Book of the Week: 'Faces of the Gone' by Brad Parks

Library Book of the Week: 
Faces of the Gone, by Brad Parks.

Summary: 
On a cold night in a vacant lot in Newark, N.J., FOUR drug dealers are executed by their supplier,a stranger known only to them as the “Director." The only person willing to ask any questions about the murders is Carter Ross, a reporter for the city newspaper and who, by his own confession, “doesn’t have an ounce of street in him."

Carter Ross is from an upper middle class suburb. He attended a private prep school and ivy -League College. But he loves being a reporter in Newark, even though he sticks out like a sore thumb.

Carter has a simple philosophy about being a reporter in a city where he’s a minority and inherently viewed with suspicion.  “If you approach people with respect, listen hard, and genuinely try to understand their point of view, they will talk to you, no matter how different your background is. So that’s what I attempt to do."

Why you’ll like this story: 
Carter Ross is a refreshingly normal hero. He’s not a technical genius, a super spy, ex-special forces or a martial arts master. He’s just a normal guy. At the conclusion of the book when the murderous “Director” trys to kill him, he does what most people would do, he runs for his life.

Most of all Carter Ross likes and cares for the people whose story he is charged with telling, even though they consider him a nosy outsider and instinctively distrust him.

And, if you don’t like Carter Ross , you’ll like the unexpected ending. The author, Brad Parks, does a great job of misleading the reader and then unleashing a surprise conclusion.

Where’s the best place to read this book? 
This book is best read sitting on a street bench in a city park while eating a hot dog with the works, purchased from a hot dog cart. You’ll probably want two hot dogs.  This is a book you’ll want to read in one sitting.

You can find Faces of the Gone by Brad Parks and the other two Carter Ross mysteries at the Jefferson Township Public Library.