The Sandburg Connection
By Mark de Castrique
(Poisoned Pen Press, Paperback, 9781590589427, 250pp.)
Publication Date: October 2011
Other Editions of This Title: Compact Disc, MP3 CD, Hardcover, Paperback
Categories: Mystery & Detective - General
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A simple assignment for private investigator Sam Blackman and his partner Nakayla Robertson: follow Professor Janice Wainwright, who’s suing a surgeon for malpractice, and catch her in activities that undercut her claim. When Wainwright visits Connemara, Carl Sandburg’s home in Flat Rock, N.C., and climbs the arduous trail to the top of Glassy Mountain, Sam believes he has the evidence needed to expose her—until he finds the woman semi-conscious and bleeding. Her final words: “It’s the Sandburg verses. The Sandburg verses.” As the first person to discover the dying woman, Sam becomes the prime suspect. When an autopsy reveals painkillers in her blood and solid proof of the surgeon’s errors, Sam is left with the haunting questions: why did this suffering woman attempt to climb the mountain? Did someone cause her death? A break-in at the Wainwright farmhouse and the theft of Sandburg volumes convince Sam someone is seeking information worth killing for. But what did Pulitzer-Prize-winner Sandburg have in his literary collection that has inspired multiple murders? And who will be targeted next? This is the third installment in the Sam Blackman series.
Mark de Castrique is the author of the Sam Blackman series and Buryin’ Barry series, both set in the mountains of North Carolina where he lives with his wife Linda. He has also written two mysteries for young adults.www.markdecastrique.com
"A missing folk song, a buried treasure from Civil War days, and a pregnant goat all play a part in this marvelous blend of history and mystery seasoned with information about Carl Sandburg's life and times on his Asheville farm and the National Park Service's current operations there. This strong regional mystery should resonate with a much wider audience." —Publishers Weekly starred review
"Known for his effortless storytelling, de Castrique once again delivers a compelling tale blending fact and fiction, this one involving racial tension, the aftermath of war, and the authentication of manuscripts." —Library Journal starred review of Blackman's Coffin
"A wealth of historical detail, an exciting treasure hunt and credible characters distinguish this fresh, adventurous read." —Publishers Weekly starred review of Blackman's Coffin
"The warmth of Sam and Nakayla's relationship and Sam's challenged but determined heart make for a great read." —Kirkus Reviews of Fitzgerald Ruse
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