DEADLY ATTRACTION is the fifth novel in the Alan Stewart and Vera Deward Murder Mystery series, set in 1940s Seattle.
On his way to work, a young carpenter discovers the partially nude body of Audrey Lockhart, a hopeful Hollywood starlet, near the Green Lake walking path. A recent Smith College graduate, Audrey had stopped in Seattle to visit her dying father and her uncle-King County Commissioner Dan Lockhart-before heading to Los Angeles. Her uncle, a former detective on Seattle's Dry Squad, once worked under current Chief of Detectives Mike Ketchum, who had previously tried to fire him for corruption. Due to this complex history, private investigators Alan Stewart and Vera Deward are brought in to help police avoid conflicts of interest and assist with the investigation.
Armed with sharp instincts, old-school detective skills, and a willingness to take risks, Stewart and Deward delve into a twisted case that may be linked to other unsolved rapes and murders in the region. Their search for answers pulls them deep into the city's underworld-gambling dens, the Chinese underground, and the shadowy Seattle waterfront-revealing that, in some cases, blood may be thicker than water.
This gripping mystery paints a vivid portrait of wartime Seattle, full of danger, corruption, and intrigue. With fast-paced storytelling, period authenticity, and noir-style grit, DEADLY ATTRACTION delivers a tense and atmospheric read.
Praise for Neil Low and the Alan Stewart & Vera Deward series:
"With DEADLY ATTRACTION, Neil Low offers another fine mystery with master sleuths Vera Deward and Alan Stewart scoping out corrupt World War II-era Seattle. Each chapter fires round after round of adrenaline-packed action and mystique. Low's mastery of prose and detective-like attention to detail makes this deadly yarn a unique addition to the hard-boiled genre." -Don Roff, Author of Zombies: A Record of the Year of Infection
"I truly enjoyed DEADLY ATTRACTION. This fast-paced Seattle mystery is rich in historical context and filled with suspense." -Kenyon S. Chan, Chancellor, University of Washington, Bothell
Reader praise for previous titles:
"Reminds me of Ed McBain!" -Bill B., AZ
"Real characters, intriguing story, and fascinating Seattle history." -Danny B., CA
"Although the deeds are dastardly, the ending is quite satisfying!" -Randy C., Seattle
"My husband read it twice-he's read all your books!" -Sue, OH
Other books in the series:
Thick as Thieves (2008), Sign of the Dragon (2009), Unreasonable Persuasion (2010), and Unholy Alliance (2011)-each a regional bestseller in Seattle. Author Neil Low is currently writing book six, Theater of the Crime.
