‘Too gripping to put down’ – Jake Kerridge, Sunday Express S Magazine
CITY WITHOUT STARS, the epic follow up to Tim Baker’s sensational debut, FEVER CITY is published by Faber today. FEVER CITY was shortlisted for the CWA’s John Creasey New Blood Dagger award, and nominated for the Private Eye Writers of America’s 2017 Shamus Award.
A tale of corruption, cartels and crime, CITY WITHOUT STARS, explores Mexico’s criminal underworld and the secrets that lurk there.
In Ciudad Real, Mexico, a deadly war between rival cartels is erupting, and hundreds of female sweat-shop workers are being murdered. As his police superiors start shutting down his investigation, Fuentes suspects most of his colleagues are on the payroll of narco kingpin, El Santo. Meanwhile, despairing union activist, Pilar, decides to take social justice into her own hands. But if she wants to stop the killings, she’s going to have to ignore all her instincts and accept the help of Fuentes. When the name of Mexico’s saintly orphan rescuer, Padre Márcio, keeps resurfacing, Pilar and Fuentes begin to realise how deep the cover-up goes.
Be sure to check out the blog tour which has already begun, with Raven Crime Reads calling CITY WITHOUT STARS:
‘An intense, emotive and completely absorbing read, suffused with a violent energy, and with an unrelenting pace to its narrative. It heightens the reader’s senses and imagination throughout, completely enveloping the reader in this corrupt and violent society, with instances of intense human frailty and moments of strength, underpinned by precise description, and flurries of dark humour.’
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Born in Sydney, Tim Baker lived in Rome and Madrid before moving to Paris, where he wrote about jazz. He has worked on film projects in India, China, Mexico, Brazil and Australia, and currently lives in the South of France with his wife, their son, and two rescue animals, a dog and a cat.
Praise for CITY WITHOUT STARS
'Beautifully plotted, with excellent characterisation and a highly developed social conscience, CITY WITHOUT STARS is an intelligent thriller that moves at a breath-taking pace.' Nicholas Searle, author of THE GOOD LIAR
'One of those books that just won't let you go ... An exhilarating and kaleidoscopic novel that will also break your heart.' Stav Sherez author of A DARK REDEMPTION and THE INTRUSIONS
‘Intricately plotted…a fascinating, immersive page-turning read’ – Purity Brown, Crime Fiction Lovers
Praise for FEVER CITY:
‘[A] remarkable first novel …inspired writing, memorable characters and an exhilarating, all but overpowering story.’ – Patrick Anderson, Washington Post
‘Ambitious debut… a bare knuckle take… a noirish storm of corruption, violence and depravity…’ —The New York Times, USA
An inventive take on the great American conspiracy theory...’ —The Sunday Times, Crime Club Newsletter January Picks 2016
‘Sprawling, ambitious and atmospheric…this debut author is the natural successor to such hallowed crime writers as Raymond Chandler and James Ellroy.’—Stylist UK
'Tim Baker paints a lurid, sinister portrait of mid-century America, skilfully layering fact and fiction in a way that will forever change the way you think about the Kennedy assassination. An impressive debut.' – Peter Swanson