Fiction from Ralph Pezzullo


	Fiction The Walk-In The Chopin Manuscript Eve Missing *The Walk-In* Gary Berntsen and Ralph Pezzullo Crown, Hardcover August 12, 2008 ISBN-10: 0307394816 ISBN-13: 978-0307394811 Writing with award-winning novelist Ralph Pezzullo, Gary Berntsen -- longtime CIA operative and the field commander who cornered Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan -- offers in this edge-of-the-seat thriller a terrifying vision of where the next threat to America may come from. When a highly-placed Iranian intelligence operative walks into a US embassy claiming to possess explosive information, counter-terrorism officer Matt Freed is dispatched to interview him, and is warned of an impending attack on the US that could kill millions. Is the mans story precious truth or calculated fiction Matt isnt sure, but with a possible catastrophe looming in less than two weeks, his superiors reluctantly prepare for the assault. Matt cant leave it alone, though. With questions still lingering in his mind about what is really going on, he defies his superiors orders and launches his own investigation. As the clock ticks down, he searches frantically for the truth at an Afghan prison under siege, an abandoned Uzbekistan bio weapons facility, and a Moscow hospital where an arms dealer is dying of a mysterious disease. Ultimately, Matts efforts brand him an out-of-control renegade, and he finds himself left out in the cold. Yet he may be the only one with the knowledge needed to avert unimaginable chaos. From a counter-terrorism warrior who has spent a lifetime thwarting those who would do us harm, *The Walk-In* is an exhilarating plunge into tradecraft and terror. Author Feedback: "This novel is what thrillers aspire to be. Authors Berntsen and Pezzullo deliver a story that steams and dances like water on a red-hot skillet. *The Walk-In* is Tom Clancy for our era." Jeffery Deaver, New York Times bestselling author of The Bone Collector, The Sleeping Doll and The Broken Window "*The Walk-In* is packed with what so many books lack: authenticity. This is a thriller full of thrills, and while you're page-turning and nail-biting, be comforted by the fact that what's in it is fiction. At least, so far..." SJ Rozan, Edgar-award winning author of In This Rain "Gary Berntsen knows scary stuff the rest of us can only guess at, and he shares some of his dangerous expertise in The Walk-In. As in his previous collaboration with Ralph Pezzullo, the best-selling *Jawbreaker, the result is a hurricane. The Walk-In* roars across the hotspots of the globe and right to our front door, and I couldnt put it down." Peter Spiegelman, award-winning author of Red Cat *The Chopin Manuscript* is a unique collaboration among 15 distinguished international thriller writers who came together to create a single audiobook with each author contributing a chapter to the ongoing story. The book is serialized and is hailed as the first-ever audio serial book. Read an interview with Ralph and other *The Chopin Manuscript* authors. Jeffery Deaver conceived the characters and the setting and put the plot in motion with the first chapter. From there the story was turned over to fourteen authors -– including Lee Child, Lisa Scottoline, Joseph Finder, David Hewson, S. J. Rozan, and P. J. Parrish –- who each wrote a chapter that propelled the story along. Along the way the plot took twists and turns as each author lent his or her own imprint on the tale. Characters were added as the action moved around the world --- and the stakes got higher and higher. The book wrapped with Deaver writing the final two chapters bringing The Chopin Manuscript to its explosive conclusion. The plot unfolds like this: Former war crimes investigator Harold Middleton possesses a priceless, previously-unknown manuscript by Frederic Chopin. Within the notes of this work, which was originally found and hidden by the Nazis during World War II, lies a secret that has left death in its wake –- and could kill tens of thousands more. As Middleton races to unlock the mystery of the manuscript, he is accused of murder, pursued by federal agents and targeted by assassins. But the greatest threat comes from a man known only as Faust -- a shadowy figure from Middleton’s past. *PLEASE NOTE: The Chopin Manuscript was delivered serially in 2007. Listen to the first installment here.* Jeffery Deaver: Chapter 1 (September 25th) – New York Times bestselling author of The Cold Moon. David Hewson: Chapter 2 (September 25th) – Author of The Seventh Sacrament. James Grady: Chapter 3 (September 25th) – Author of 3 Days of the Condor. S.J. Rozan: Chapter 4 (October 2nd) – Award-winning author of the Bill Smith/Lydia Chin series. Erica Spindler: Chapter 5 (October 2nd) – Her new book, Last Known Victim, will hit stores in October. John Ramsey Miller: Chapter 6 (October 9th) – Author of Too Far Gone. David Corbett: Chapter 7 (October 9th) – Author of Blood of Paradise. John Gilstrap: Chapter 8 (October 16th) – Author of Scott Free and Nathan’s Run. Joseph Finder: Chapter 9 (October 16th) – New York Times bestselling author of Paranoia, Killer Instinct and Power Play. Jim Fusilli: Chapter 10 (October 23rd) – Serial Thriller project editor and author of the Terry Orr series. Peter Spiegelman: Chapter 11 (October 23rd) – Author of John March series. Ralph Pezullo: Chapter 12 (October 30th) – Author of fiction works such as Eve Missing and nonfiction works such as Jawbreaker. Lisa Scottoline: Chapter 13 (October 30th) – New York Times bestselling author of Dirty Blonde and Daddy’s Girl. P.J. Parrish: Chapter 14 (November 6th) – Author of An Unquiet Grave. Pseudonym of sisters Kristy Montee and Kelly Nichols. Lee Child: Chapter 15 (November 6th) –New York Times bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series. Jeffery Deaver: Chapters 16 and 17 (November 13th) Eve Missing ISBN- 1-894942-37-X October 2003 Zumaya Publications Burnaby, British Columbia Trade Paperback/ $15 Click here to purchase Disgraced ex-NYPD cop Smokey Annicelli narrates a coast-to-coast search for a missing high fashion model, who previously worked as a teenage prostitute. Author Feedback: "Pezzullo comes out swinging with this tough, streetwise debut. This is one writer to watch out for." - Steve Hamilton, Edgar Award-winning author of Blood Is the Sky. "A real humdinger of a private eye novel. It has a sympathetic PI, a beautiful missing woman, and a mystery that kept me guessing to the last chapter." - Jeffrey Marks, author of A Good Soldier, Atomic Renaissance. "Pezzullo brings you in close and forces you with almost total visual techniques to run along with the plot that twists and moves around in the finest traditions. And not until the final outrageous ending does the pressure let up. This is the best first novel I have read in any genre. It is an astonishing read from a writer new to the novel but one who knows his craft the way kids know how to ride their bikes." - John Herrmann, author of Murder at the Red Dog. "A really terrific hard-boiled detective novel filled with sexy scenery, Raymond Chandlerish dialogue and not a single dull moment. Latch onto EVE MISSING and enjoy the read of a lifetime!" - Joseph Trigoboff, author of The Shooting Gallery. "A tough-minded novel with a tough-tender hero. Tony Annicelli undertakes a coast-to-coast quest for a vanished fashion model. Realistic and very involving." - Barbara D'Amato, author of White Male Infant and winner of the first Mary Higgins Clark Award. Reviews: "If you're a fan of mysteries featuring a strong masculine lead character and plenty of twists and turns, you should pick up EVE MISSING by Ralph Pezzullo. Pezzullo's first novel showcasing private detective Smokey Annicelli is a rollercoaster ride of deception, sex, murder and betrayal. EVE MISSING will keep you enthralled and guessing until the last page. Pezzullo has created the beginning of a strong series ...and readers will find themselves waiting for the next installment." - Mystery Morgue "5 bolts! (out of five)" - New Mystery Reader Magazine "Like Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder series, Smokey Annicelli is the type of P.I. readers will want to see more of. He's gritty and rough, with some sense of morals -- at certain times, anyway. EVE MISSING is loaded with action, wild characters, a load of steamy sexual scenes and a carefully plotted mystery. Pezzullo is a welcomed breath of fresh air in a genre filled with many bland stories." - The Best Reviews "EVE MISSING is missing absolutely nothing: plot, pace, characterization and denouement are technically masterful. But a good thriller, like good sex, needs more than technique-and atmosphere abounds whether in powerful, sometimes gritty rendering of the New York scene or lush and leafy California. The story is a great trip; all four horsemen -- sex, jealousy, blackmail, and murder -- are along for the full gallop. It's roller-coaster ride that explores power, corruption and fear among people who slipped into quick-cash worlds and can't pull out... This is not a book to leave on a Quaker grandmother's breakfast table or a colleague's desk: in either case, Eve will go missing in ten seconds flat, though the reason may differ." - ForeWord "Ralph Pezzullo's debut novel, EVE MISSING , is as hard boiled a noir mystery as hard boiled can get. The writing is skilled, crisp, raw. The fast pace is constant and rhythmic." - Best Sellers World "Pezzullo has captured perfectly the life and times of the classic private eye. Complete with a PI who wants to be hard-boiled but has a romantic streak, a former bad girl trying to get her life together and a whole supporting cast of unusual and fascinating characters. This is an outstanding mystery." - Murder and Mayhem Bookclub "What does EVE MISSING have to recommend it? A whole lot. Great lead characters, a whole line-up of colorful supporting characters, some sexy and emotionally complex women, a terrific plot, great scenery ...I could go on and on. Pezzullo's a whole lot better than practically every other contemporary mystery writer out there and this is his first book." - Review Index "EVE MISSING is an excellent mystery. Smart, fast-paced and riveting. I loved the character of Smokey." - Karen Grant, "The Karen Grant Show," KION, Salinas, CA "Fantastic. EVE MISSING is a must-read for anyone looking for a fast-paced, complex mystery." - Larry Wright, "The Other Side of Drive Time," WEOL, Ohio