Customer Reviews

Faces of the Gone: A Mystery

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Harlan Coben is quoted on the front of Faces of the Gone saying, "Terrific Debut." Actually, Brad Parks' debut crime novel is so terrific that it's one of the best mysteries I've read this year. Faces of the Gone introduces a fresh, attractive protagonist, and a fascinating story.

When four bodies are found shot execution style in an empty lot in Newark, New Jersey, it's a little much even for the cynical media. The story attracts attention from all over, but the police quickly connect the murders to a robbery at a local bar. And, the Newark Eagle-Examiner leads with that story. But, something just doesn't feel right to investigative reporter Carter Ross.

Ross admits he's as WASP as it comes, but he's learned to work the streets of Newark. And, his sources indicate that those four dead people, ranging from a dealer to a dancer who was hustling to feed her kids, had one thing in common. And, it wasn't the robbery of a local bar. But, Ross' new headlines put him dead center in a target for the man behind the murders, a man called "The Director." And, once Carter is faced with losing everything, he's determined to find answers.

Carter Ross is a wonderful addition to the ranks of investigative reporters in crime novels. He's a reporter with a heart, one who has learned to "approach people with respect, listen hard, and genuinely try to understand their point of view." As he talks to family members of the dead, he truly begins to see the "Faces of the Gone." But, at the same time he's skilled at his job, he's hopeless in personal relationships. That leads to some of the funniest scenes in the book - his fear of the female city editor, on the prowl for a sperm donor, his relationship with the gay intern, Tommy, his inability to make an intelligent comment when dealing with the executive editor. Ross is a hero, despite himself. And, the world of the Newark Eagle-Examiner is an excellent background for a crime novel, with Ross the perfect amateur sleuth with investigative skills.

Brad Parks was a reporter with The Washington Post and The Star-Ledger. He brings the newsroom to life with humor and love. Some of the enjoyable scenes arise from the rivalry between print and TV media, and the disdain they exhibit for each other.

Faces of the Gone is more than a successful debut. It marks the debut of a new hero, a compassionate investigative reporter in a book marked by humor that doesn't detract from the tragedy of the story. Faces of the Gone, and Brad Parks, are destined for success.

Truth be known, my favorite fiction is set in the urban section of mid-sized cities. Wallace Stroby's stories of north and central Jersey and David Levien's novels that take place in Indianapolis are what I reach for more often than not. But now I have just added FACES OF THE GONE, Brad Parks's debut, to that expanding list.

FACES OF THE GONE is set in Newark, New Jersey, one of America's more interesting, if not picturesque, cities. Parks, who describes himself as "an escaped journalist," was a sportswriter and news feature writer for the Newark Star-Ledger, and his "warts-and-all" descriptions of the city are right on the mark, down to the transitions that Newark goes through on its daily journey into night. Indeed, the impetus behind the novel --- a quadruple, execution-style murder in a vacant lot --- is based on a real-world occurrence that Parks himself investigated. And Carter Ross, the investigative reporter who narrates most of the book, may well be Parks's alter ego.

Driven by compassion for the victims, Ross begins a steadfast investigation into the murders of four people who seemingly had nothing in common other than their brutal ending. The police are quick to wrap up the murders as rough justice for a prior robbery of a local tavern, with the murder victims in the role as the unfortunate and unwise robbers. Ross is not so sure. What he finds is that the victims, all from different parts of the city, had been low-level drug dealers or, in the parlance, "hustlers," selling just enough to eke out a primitive lifestyle but little else. Ross goes far on a combination of instinct, an arrogant self-assurance (which is part bluff), and, yes, some actual sincerity that gains him access to parts of the city that a white, buttoned-down male would not otherwise have.

The result is an explosive article in which Ross unwittingly exposes a drug king known as "The Director," whose heroin is legendary for its purity. The murders of the four hustlers were intended as a warning for those in the know on the streets of Newark, but Ross's article now threatens to expose his entire operation. This puts him in mortal danger from which he has almost no hope of escaping, forcing him to rely on the assistance of some unlikely --- and colorful --- allies. The result is a cat-and-mouse pursuit that carries on practically to the conclusion of FACES OF THE GONE, a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

Parks is a hoot, combining equal parts humor and action with strong characterization on all levels, particularly with respect to his street-level characters, whose despair and poor choices ring all too true. FACES OF THE GONE is the first of a projected series set in Newark, and those who like their stories gritty but cut with humor will cheer this one and clamor for more.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

Four bodies, each shot in the back of the head, lie in a Newark vacant lot. The victims came from different parts of the city and are not believed to know each other. Police theorize that the murders are revenge for a bar stickup, but the Newark Eagle-Examiner's investigative reporter Carter Ross doesn't believe it. Enlisting the aid of the paper's city editor for support at the office, he sets off the find the truth. Ross finds that all four were selling an ultra-pure form of heroin, and had been executed for selling a weakened form of 'The Stuff' by 'the Director.' Ross's investigating creates front-page articles and a meeting with a high level law enforcement official. While being pumped for information, Ross realized he was facing 'the Director' and the intended next victim.

A dead body in Newark, New Jersey isn't very news worthy. Unless you are talking about the discovery of four dead bodies left in a vacant lot...now that is front page news.

Carter Ross is an investigative reporter for the Newark Eagle Examiner. When this story lands on Carter's lap, he figures he will just write the story and be done. Once Carter starts digging, he realizes that there is something bigger then four dead bodies. Besides...what does an exotic dancer, a drug dealer, a hustler, and a momma' boy all have in common? This is the million dollar question; Carter must find the answer too. Carter will be joined be a unique cast of characters that include...the gay Cuban side kick, the city editor, and the stripper

Faces of the Gone is Mr. Brad Parks's debut novel. He is currently working on Eyes of the Innocent, the next Carter Ross novel.

I thought it was bold that Mr. Parks quit his job before getting a book contract. Luckily for him, it paid off as I enjoyed this book. It is going to be a best seller. You could tell Mr. Parks's brought his knowledge and experience of journalism to the character, Carter. It helped make the story more realistic. I instantly fell for Carter and his big heart. He is a fighter of justice. The wide range of other characters helped keep the story interesting. Plus they were not one dimensional. You knew from the beginning why the people were killed but don't let that fool you as there were some twists thrown in the mix. Can't wait to check out Eye of the Innocent.

Discovering a promising new writer is one of the real joys of reading. It's part of the excitement that keeps us going back to the bookstore time and again, even though we inevitably suffer our share of disappointments. There's no need to worry with author Brad Parks, however, as he's delivered a first-rate crime thriller.

Although FACES OF THE GONE is Parks' first novel, his prior career as a journalist well prepared him for this engaging story of Carter Ross, a reporter for the (fictional) Newark Eagle-Examiner. A quadruple homicide is front page news even in crime-ridden Newark, and Ross is determined to pursue the story no matter the cost.

FACES OF THE GONE is gritty and hard boiled, but with a sly sense of humor. This strong and confident debut is sure to make an appearance on many "best of" and awards lists. Parks is a bright new talent whom readers will hopefully be able to enjoy for years to come.

Faces of the Gone
Brad Parks 2009

5* Eagerly awaiting the followup.

The mystery field has lost too many of its stalwarts recently, either to that great typewriter in the sky or simply retirement. Tony Hillerman, Robert Parker and Stephen Greenleaf come to mind. Thus it's a special joy to discover a new talent whose first novel ranks with the best, with a refreshingly everyman protagonist.

Carter Ross is a reporter for the Eagle-Examiner in gritty, crime ridden Newark NJ. Far from an iconic Spenserian tough guy, or even Marsh Tanner's more realistic ready-fisted defrocked lawyer, Carter is a fish-out-of water suburban white boy on the largely black inner city beat, whose weapons are his wit, earnestness and reportorial instinct, rather than intimidating bulk or a snub nosed .38. His very blandness is exotic, in a literature where every new gumshoe seems to need a gimmick.

A homicide, even a double or triple homicide of random gangbangers, would hardly be newsworthy in Newark, but when four victims are found lined up in a row in a vacant lot next to a church, Carter gets assigned the story. The police have a theory involving revenge for a bar robbery, but through sheer dogged legwork he establishes the link between the four corpses -- they had each been selling a particular "brand" of heroin, "The Stuff."

We are also privy to interleaved flashes from the viewpoint of "The Director," the brutal and sinister character who carried out the executions, a very organized druglord with a new business model. (Normally I dislike these sort of alternate viewpoint excursions, carefully disguised so as to keep the reader in the dark, but somehow they did not bother me so much this time round, perhaps because they seem somewhat less coy than usual.) Though the executions had been designed to have a high profile, as an object lesson, The Director is disturbed that Ross has learned as much as he has so quickly, and begins a similarly efficient and direct campaign to deal with this new threat to his business. Carter's only chance is to get to the root of The Stuff before he becomes an obituary in his own paper.

The auxiliary characters, both in the newsroom and on the street, are interesting and well dealt with, and we get good local color both of the newspaper business and Newark's people and environs. Ross's first person narrative is straightforward and brisk, without the quippishness of a Parker yet with welcome touches of innate humor. Even the spear carriers, the dealers and hookers and bums, become people Carter and we care about. I'm very much looking forward to the next outing with Carter Ross and Brad park.

In the vein of wonderful mysteries featuring humorous, self-deprecating protagonists, please add Faces of the Gone to the category. Brad Parks' debut novel continues the wonderful tradition begun by David Rosenfelt of stories taking place in New Jersey featuring an endearing ensemble of characters. If you like David Rosenfelt's books, you will surely enjoy this book. The book was equally suspenseful, funny and clever both in its plot lines and the interplay among its characters. All I can say is that I am eagerly awaiting the next book featuring the exploits of Carter Ross.

I was hoping to like this book but was comprehensively disappointed. It starts reasonably well with interesting color around the current state of the newspaper business. It becomes less interesting as the city editor (female, gorgeous, biological clock ticking) starts a ponderous flirtation with the narrator (who is happy to tell you that he's gorgeous too). And it ends pathetically, with the narrator unrealistically rescued at the last minute from a silly situation. I've rarely read such a poor ending. Save your money.

In Newark four men were assassinated with a bullet to their respective head and left in an empty lot. The cops assume the mass murders are connected to a robbery at a nearby bar. The media jumps on what the cops tell them.

Thus Newark Eagle-Examiner investigative reporter Carter Ross sees the killings in his paper. He disagrees with the official take and begins to work the streets. The four victims seem to have no connection beyond living in Jersey. He has editor Tina Thompson, Cuban-American intern Tommy Hernandez and stripper Tynesha Dales to assist him as one of the victims was an exotic dancer. Still he struggles to connect the dots and is unaware the Director is watching the thirty something journalist.

The lead pairing of the reporter vs. the Director makes for an enjoyable fast-paced investigative thriller with ironically the audience identifying the killer before the cops or the journalist can. From the opening mass murder scene until the final confrontation that fans anticipate, Faces of the Gone is action-packed throughout as the Director continues his gruesome business patiently waiting for Carter and his team to stumble onto who he is.

Harriet Klausner

Carter Ross, an investigative reporter, is working on a story about four dead bodies all found in the same abandoned lot with one shot to the head and he has every intention of digging until he find out what connects these four people together. Carter knows that whatever connects these people is the reason that they are all dead together and that it isn't about a bar robbery like the cops are saying. Carter, with the the help of an intern named Tommy get cracking on some interviews and investigative work and eventually they track down what Carter thinks might be the link, but that just puts him square in the cross hairs of someone who is less than appreciative of all of his hard work.

This was a great novel because the charter development was excellent and the pacing was deft. It had that slightly gritty tone to it but was still capable of making you laugh out loud at certain lines, which is always the mark of a great writer. I found myself loving Carter as a character which is always a good thing, and immediately wanting to read more by Brad Parks so it definitely leaves you wanting more. I highly recommend it and I know I read it really quickly.