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Empire State Paperback – December 27, 2011

3.5 3.5 out of 5 stars 165 ratings

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THE EMPIRE STATE IS THE OTHER NEW YORK. A parallel-universe, Prohibition-era world of mooks and shamuses that is the twisted magic mirror to our bustling Big Apple, a place where sinister characters lurk around every corner while the great superheroes that once kept the streets safe have fallen into dysfunctional rivalries and feuds. Not that its colourful residents know anything about the real New York… until detective Rad Bradley makes a discovery that will change the lives of all its inhabitants. Playing on the classic Gotham conventions of the Batman comics and HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, debut author Adam Christopher has spun this smart and fast-paced superhero-noir adventure, the sort of souped-up thrill ride that will excite genre fans and general readers alike.

File Under: Science Fiction [ Pocket Universe | Heroes or Villains | Speak Easy | Loyalties Divided ]

e-book ISBN: 978-0-85766-194-4

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Adam Christopher’s debut novel is a noir, Philip K Dick-ish science fiction superhero story… As captivating as a kaleidoscope… just feel it in all its weird glory.” - Cory Doctorow, New York Times bestselling author of Little Brother
 
"A fascinating debut novel that meshes noir sensibilities and science fiction together and keeps the reader guessing throughout. Adam Christopher handles in intricacies of parallel worlds, time travel and suspense with a skill lacking in many more-seasoned authors." - Mike Stackpole, New York Times bestselling author of
I, Jedi
 
"Adam Christopher maintains a punchy, bestseller prose style that keeps the action rocketing along, and protagonists that seem right both in their own setting, and appropriate to what we already recognise as super heroes.  Empire State is an excellent, involving read, and it fully deserves to be the start of a new universe." - Paul Cornell, DC Comics and Dr Who writer
 
"Down these steam driven streets a man must go... straight into a pocket universe of trouble. Brutal, knowing and deft, Adam Christopher delivers." - Jon Courtenay Grimwood

"Stylish, sinister, and wickedly fun, Empire State is not your average sexy retro parallel universe superhero noir." - Lauren Beukes, award-winning author of
Zoo City
 
"Destined to be a science fiction classic, Empire State is a breathtakingly original noir tale of intrigue, mystery, and quantum physics, deftly played out in storytelling so brilliant I'm finding it hard not to hate the author." - Diana Rowland, author of
My Life as a White Trash Zombie
 
"From first to last page, Adam Christopher's Empire State careens along at a furious pace. Along the way, he beautifully meshes the best noir tropes with science fiction and wraps it up in a world (or two) that rivals some of the classics of speculative fiction." - John Hornor Jacobs, Author of 
Southern Gods
 
"A daring, dreamlike, almost hallucinatory thriller, one that plays with the conventions of pulp fiction and superheroes like a cat with a ball of yarn." - Kurt Busiek, Eisner Award-winning writer of Astro City and Marvels

"Fantastic stuff... The author is truly at the top of his game here. Goddamitt, I want more." - The Founding Fields

"Explosive… an effective portrait of a bleak, confused, subdued city. Most impressibely, the novel becomes more unpredicatable as it goes along. Thrilling stuff. 4****” -  SFX Magazine
 
“Watch out for this Adam kid, he’s nobody’s sap. He’s got a sharp nib and a sharper wit. He’d steal your last few hours before you could say ‘cat’s pajamas’, and you’d thank him for it.” - Billy Campbell, star of The Rocketeer
 
“Empire State is a fantastic piece of fiction, it's like one of those people that you just want to be seen with because they are so cool, radiating so much style, charm and charisma that if harnessed could power Hollywood for a century. 5*****” - SFBook.com
 
“Empire State is a big, blockbuster action book. It has images that will stick with you. Earlier in the week, I tweeted that I kept picturing an HBO TV series trailer as I read this book. That's what you're going to get.” - Do Some Damage
 
“An exuberant homage to the superhero genre powered by a fabulous noir plot and wrapped up with a retro science fiction sensibility. It’s effortlessly inventive and thoroughly entertaining.” - Maura McHugh
 
“Rocket-powered superheros, Prohibition era bootleggers, private eyes, mysterious men in masks; and more twists and turns than you can imagine. All in all a very fun read.” - The Dragon Page
 
“It has a private detective and tons of fog, superheroes, robots, moonshine, gas masks, guns and ironclads. What’s not to love? And I know this is a monumentally shallow comment to make, but the cover art is stunning. Rad is a fabulous character, one that I won’t forget any time soon. 4****” - Fantasy Nibbles
 
“A fast, likeable novel which aims not only to surprise, but frequently to confound - with intrigue, superheroic subversion, and a few robots playing into the mix! There's also an airship. I mean, who doesn't love airships?” - Drying Ink
 
“The written equivalent of crack cocaine. 10/10” - Spoiler Alert
 
“There are twists, turns, crosses and double-cross in this one. It has a delightfully pulpy feel to it, especially during the airship chase. It's almost here, and I think you'll find it worth the wait.” - Adventures Fantastic

"This is simply one of the greatest science fiction books I have ever read.  9/10" - Starburst Magazine

"Verve and imagination abound in this accomplished debut."
- Christopher Fowler,
The Fiancial Times (December 3, 2012)

About the Author

ADAM CHRISTOPHER was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and grew up watching Pertwee-era Doctor Who and listening to The Beatles. In 2006, Adam moved to the sunny North West of England, where he lives in domestic bliss with his wife and cat in a house next to a canal. When not writing Adam can be found drinking tea and obsessing over DC Comics, Stephen King, and The Cure. He is also a strong advocate for social media, especially Twitter, which he spends far too much time on, avoiding work.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Angry Robot; Original edition (December 27, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0857661930
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0857661937
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.07 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 1.26 x 8.46 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.5 3.5 out of 5 stars 165 ratings

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Customer reviews

3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5 out of 5
165 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book fun to read, with twists after twists. They also say the pacing is a bit choppy. Opinions are mixed on the narrative complexity, with some finding it interesting and others saying the first three chapters are forgettable. Readers disagree on the content, with others finding it all over the place with good concepts. They disagree on characters, with one finding them interesting and fun, while others say they lack enough development. Reader opinions are mixed also on the writing style, with those finding it full of description, while other find it lacking.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

12 customers mention "Readability"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a mighty fun read with twists and thrilling storyline that make their mind spin to keep up. They also appreciate the fun personalities and interesting quirks.

"...But the premise and storyline are thrilling and make your mind spin to keep up!" Read more

"...noir, superheroes, and a bit of steampunk into one chaotic and enjoyable package. At least, it starts off chaotic and enjoyable...." Read more

"This was a very fun book that hits a lot of genres. It's a bit of sci-fi, noir, steampunk, with some superheroes thrown in for good measure...." Read more

"...Empire State does achieve something different, and it's a quirky, fun ride with lots of good worldbuilding to sink one's teeth into, whether you're..." Read more

25 customers mention "Narrative complexity"13 positive12 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the narrative complexity of the book. Some find the premise and storyline thrilling and interesting, while others say the first three chapters are forgettable and poorly executed. They also say the ending is hard to follow and the novel drags on.

"...Very interesting read.At times the processing of the narrator took away from the excitement of the moment...." Read more

"...the middle it seemed to start to lose direction, and the ending was hard to follow and didn't make much sense...." Read more

"...Adam's story contains some incredible plot devices, some twists and turns that would make a brilliant piece of film...." Read more

"...Empire State has so many plot holes and logic problems that if you're not careful you'll fall through a giant fissure and end up in a world where..." Read more

12 customers mention "Content"8 positive4 negative

Customers are mixed about the content. Some mention the book has good concepts, interesting quirks, and fun personalities. Others say it has too many ideas and concepts, and the plot is jarring. They also say the multitude of surprises seems disjointed and thin.

"...something different, and it's a quirky, fun ride with lots of good worldbuilding to sink one's teeth into, whether you're new to SF or an old,..." Read more

"...Fun, engaging and insightful. I also loved that the author included a playlist of music that inspired characters in his book...." Read more

"...Interesting concepts but didn't rivet my attention." Read more

"...Sold! Unfortunetly its neither, it has too many ideas and concepts, and the author seems obsessed with double identity whoa didnt see that coming..." Read more

8 customers mention "Characters"5 positive3 negative

Customers are mixed about the characters. Some find them interesting with fun personalities and interesting quirks, while others say they never have enough development.

"...So. Action packed opening? Check. Interesting characters that make me care about their future? Um, sort of, yeah, more or less...." Read more

"...But, it has to be said, that Christopher's characters never quite make sense. Early on, a key figure commits a murder for no discernible reason...." Read more

"Very engaging, with remarkable characters. Nice plot and excellent pace. Looking forward to getting the second book about the Empire State." Read more

"...However, the characters were compelling enough that I continued and I'm happy I did...." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing style"3 positive3 negative

Customers are mixed about the writing style. Some find the writing full of description, vivid, and well-written noir story, while others say it didn't live up to the idea.

"This is an excellent and well written noir story with an interesting SciFi twist...." Read more

"...of discovery about this mixed up world he lives in, the writing really seemed to get worse. It got choppier, clunkier, harder to follow...." Read more

"Interesting gangster style writing. Not your typical sci fi read. Not easy to tell the good guys from the bad." Read more

"...Overall it made for frustrated reading. I pushed through to the end hoping for a decent payoff. But ultimately it was just "meh"." Read more

5 customers mention "Story pace"0 positive5 negative

Customers find the story pace choppy.

"...grabbed attention and anticipation, but then it was delayed by the narrators processing and thinking that is impossible to actually do in real-time...." Read more

"...it was also full of clunky, choppy sentences that just removed any sense of pacing whatsoever...." Read more

"...The detective here is a passive, slow, annoying fellow, despite many opportunities to be much more interesting." Read more

"...Good premise but not all the ideas went anywhere. The pacing is also a bit choppy. It swings back and forth between interesting and boring." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2019
The futuristic technology and scientific concepts tied together the historical time period with the skepticism yet blind acceptance of the characters. Very interesting read.
At times the processing of the narrator took away from the excitement of the moment. The scene grabbed attention and anticipation, but then it was delayed by the narrators processing and thinking that is impossible to actually do in real-time. This definitely took away from the exciting parts.
But the premise and storyline are thrilling and make your mind spin to keep up!
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2013
Empire State is an obviously ambitious first novel. It blends science fiction, hardboiled noir, superheroes, and a bit of steampunk into one chaotic and enjoyable package. At least, it starts off chaotic and enjoyable. Somewhere past the middle it seemed to start to lose direction, and the ending was hard to follow and didn't make much sense.

Overall, though, Empire State is a fun read with a very interesting setting. The resolution of all those interesting bits just leaves something to be desired.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2014
This was a very fun book that hits a lot of genres. It's a bit of sci-fi, noir, steampunk, with some superheroes thrown in for good measure. The Empire State is New York, but it's not New York at the same time. The story mostly takes place in an alternate reality version of New York where things are just a bit different from the real version. Rad Bradley is an old school gumshoe on the case of a missing woman, and that case leads him from his favorite speakeasy to the highest levels of The Empire State building and almost everywhere in between. A great adventure in a prohibition era world that's very much like ours, only not. Fantastic!
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2012
I wanted to like this book so much. I was so jazzed to see a book written in a similar time period as my spec fiction/alternate universe/history novel. I liked the interactions I had with Adam on Twitter. He comes off as a genuinely good fellow, a collegial writer, someone who wants to be a part of the publishing world and believes in what he has to offer to that world. All of this preamble is meant to ensure nobody comes away from my review thinking I'm bashing the author of Empire State. I'm not. I will be bashing the editor, and the publisher, who let Adam's book go to press in the condition it was in.

Adam has an incredible imagination. That much is clear from the first few pages. I got a vivid sense of the car chase, the inside of the old 1930s jalopy racing around corners, gunfire popping off here and there, the windscreen cracking and glass scattering as the car crashes.

So. Action packed opening? Check. Interesting characters that make me care about their future? Um, sort of, yeah, more or less.

Then the superheroes come into the picture and it's getting pretty exciting. I'm getting curious, sort of. I would be more enthralled if someone had helped Adam tighten his prose though. After the fourth or fifth couplet containing a contrasting conjunction (i.e., "This, but That.") I started to feel like I was reading through a grammar textbook. Honestly. And this killed the story for me. The writing was full of description, vivid description. But it was also full of clunky, choppy sentences that just removed any sense of pacing whatsoever. And when Rad finally gets introduced to us, and we start following him on his journey of discovery about this mixed up world he lives in, the writing really seemed to get worse. It got choppier, clunkier, harder to follow. Two or three 'but' sentences in a row. Two or three short sentences that begin with 'Rad did X'. What was the editor doing when he was supposed to be reviewing Adam's story?

The opening scene was tight enough. It kept me involved, despite more than a few rough spots, and even a handful of typos and grammar errors. But then, after Chapter 3, the opening scene ends, and in a horribly confusing fashion. And then a new book begins. I mean a completely new and totally disconnected narrative. The characters and events of the first three chapters don't reappear until well along in the story, which is to say that the first three chapters are forgettable. Which isn't okay.

I get it, pocket universes. It's a tried and true mechanic in sci-fi writing (I've heard). I haven't read any such stories prior to this one, but that should not be a prerequisite for understanding, being able to follow, or feel connected to the narrative of Empire State. Adam's story contains some incredible plot devices, some twists and turns that would make a brilliant piece of film. I mean cult classic kind of stuff here. Characters dance in and out of two universes in a winding parade through the dark streets of a New York that neverwas but might have been. It's clever storytelling. But it isn't good storytelling. Any editor worth her salt will tell you to ensure that you NEVER leave the reader wondering what the hell is going on for more than a scene at most. If a reader has to scratch his head for more than a dozen pages, you're looking at losing that reader for good. And that's what happened with me and Empire State.

So, please consider that when you read this two-star review that wishes it could be better. Consider that I didn't finish the book because I honestly couldn't. Angry Robot put this book to press before it was ready. They either gave it a quick once over editing, or had Adam do the editing himself, which is not a good idea for any writer. Adam was done a disservice here.
9 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2012
It's not often you come across a truly new idea in modern SF: most of the obvious (and non-obvious) concepts have been mined out like century-old ore veins. Empire State does achieve something different, and it's a quirky, fun ride with lots of good worldbuilding to sink one's teeth into, whether you're new to SF or an old, experienced hand of a reader.

It's hard to say much about the book without spoiling, so I won't go into much detail, but in a SF market saturated with me-too ideas Empire State stands out as an original work. Give it a shot, especially if you're a fan of Noir, whodunits, period pieces, or, oddly, superhero stories. Recommended.
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2012
Adam Christopher's steampunk-noir-urban fantasy has a compelling first act: moody, atmospheric--gripping stuff. Characters wander around a recognizable 1950s Manhattan, complete with Gotham-style superheros, but then they turn down blind alleys, find neighborhoods they've never seen before and confront men wearing gas masks demanding answers to incomprehensible questions. Then they begin to wonder about the strange lacunae in their own minds. It's Philip K. Dick meets Raymond Chandler, Bladerunner meets the Big Sleep.

All of this makes "Empire State" well worth reading.

But, it has to be said, that Christopher's characters never quite make sense. Early on, a key figure commits a murder for no discernible reason. Fine--that sometimes happens in noir. But then none of the characters has a really convincing voice. Bad guys brandish "heat" (I think that was supposed to be a "heater"). Problems "get sorted". A tough-guy private eye compares a building to a "football pitch". And then the one ostensibly English character is a sort of unbearable Colonel Blimp pastiche.

So, a four star book, but deduct one star for dialogue that orbits the Atlantic ocean and travels in time from the modern day to a movie theater in Fresno playing a James M. Cain revival.

Interested in new-wave noir? James Ellroy's 
The Big Nowhere  practically reinvented the genre 25 years ago and it's still going strong.
5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2018
Very engaging, with remarkable characters. Nice plot and excellent pace. Looking forward to getting the second book about the Empire State.

Top reviews from other countries

Pablo Cheesecake (The Eloquent Page)
4.0 out of 5 stars A Strong Sci Fi Debut
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2012
The Empire State is the other New York

It's a parallel-universe, Prohibition-era world of mooks and shamuses that is a twisted magic mirror to our own bustling Big Apple. It's a city where sinister characters lurk around every corner, while the great superheroes who once kept the streets safe have fallen into deadly rivalries and feuds. Not that its colorful residents know anything about real New York...until detective Rad Bradley makes a discovery that will change the lives of all its inhabitants.

In a story of sprinkled with doppelgangers, parallel realities and pocket universes it's the characters that really capture the readers imagination. Rad Bradley, a slightly down-at-heel detective, is tasked with what initially appears as a straightforward case, finding a missing woman. It quickly becomes evident that nothing in the Empire State is ever that simple and Rad gets a whole lot more than he bargained for. Rad's air of world-weariness makes him a great protagonist. He has worked the city streets for as long as he can remember and has a dogged tenacity and determination that are infectious. Rad's has a somewhat cynical point of view and this makes for a great counterpoint to all the wonders that are on display.

During the course of his investigation Rad meets a host of colourful characters, each one fitting perfectly into the unfolding plot. The enigmatic Captain Carson and his New York equivalent, who I'll leave un-named to avoid unnecessary spoileriness, are two of my favourites. They both tread the fine line between hero and villain. The ever-sneaky Mr. Christopher invokes the rules of film-noir and keeps the reader guessing about their true intentions right up to the wire. I guess it wouldn't be a mystery without some proper intrigue now would it?

Another couple of characters that feature highly are two superheroes (or possibly villains?), called the Skyguard, and the Science Pirate. Their epic rivalry and constant dueling have a direct link to the very heart of Empire State. After finishing the novel I have to admit that I'd love to learn more about them both, there is a back story that the author only briefly alludes to. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to know more.

What I wasn't prepared for was a host of truly memorable moments that ended up totally catching me off guard.

In one moment, Adam Christopher knows how to amuse with the slightly surreal.

" Hell, one time everyone with the surname `Johnson' disappeared, then came back the next day. They say it was the Science Pirate and the Skyguard fighting."

And then tug at the old heartstrings the next.

"The Empire State was cold, grey, fogbound and as quiet as the grave. Rad realized now that his city, his home, was merely a shadow of New York, a bad knock off, a worn-out second-hand copy. Rad felt odd. His chest was tight, not just from the breathing. His mask goggles steamed more, and he recognized the feeling. Sadness."

If I asked you to name the most famous city in the world there is a pretty good chance that New York would be at the top the list. It strikes me that there aren't many other places that are quite as iconic. Taking such a well-known location and then creating an ever so slightly skewed version of it is great deal of fun. Everything is familiar and unrecognizable all at once.

Empire State is the rarest of things - a great genre novel that weaves together a multitude of different ideas and incorporates them into a seamless narrative. The story elements that the author plays with all riff off one another like a free form jazz tune, and create a wonderfully eclectic adventure. I found myself comparing elements of the novel to many other existing genre comics, books and films - The Wizard of Oz, Dark City, Watchmen, The Philadelphia Experiment and the rather splendid short story from George R R Martin's first Wildcard anthology Thirty Minutes Over Broadway by Howard Waldrop. All these pop culture references sprung to mind at various points in the plot. That's not to say that Empire State is derivative, quite the reverse in fact. Christopher's debut expertly blends together the old school detective conventions with some classic golden age science fiction to create something new and utterly readable.

Empire State is published by Angry Robot and is available now. I'm willing to concede that I'm a bit late to this to this particular party but I urge you, if you haven't already, to check it out. Highly recommended.
4 people found this helpful
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Paul M Ford
3.0 out of 5 stars High concept, low execution
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 2, 2012
Let's get one thing straight, the whole idea about mixing up a Raymond Chandler/Film Noir-style detective story with Science Fiction and a helping of Super-heroics was a great one. No question. It's why I picked up the book in the first place. But sadly it doesn't work. Not because the basic premise is bad, far from it, it's a very good one. It's just badly written. It takes an eternity to get going, the Empire State is poorly described and the central character is unsympathetic. I'd hoped that 'Rad Bradley' was a tip of the hat to 'Slam Bradley', a detective created by Jerry Seigel and Joe Shuster, the men who gave us 'Superman'. When the owner of the illicit bar that Rad hangs out in is called Jerry, I waited on his partner Joe to turn up. Nope, the interview contained at the back of the book indicates that it was a typo owing more to Sci-Fi author Ray Bradbury. Shame. There are lots of unexplored avenues in this book. Why did the Skyguard and Science Pirate fall out originally? Why does the main villain character 'merge' when everyone else has separate and quite different versions on each side of the 'Fissure'? Why does Rad get caught up in it at all? The last is particularly problematic. We are endlessly told he's pivotal to the whole plot, but actually isn't. He's a passenger. He doesn't do anything of note. The author outlines in an afterword a 'Worldbuilder' project in which he invites, with some strict but understandable provisos, other writers to play in his world. My recommendation would be to go for it. It's an interesting world with a slew of different angles that could be taken. Sadly, none of them are on show here.
5 people found this helpful
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Dean
5.0 out of 5 stars Two New Yorks and a lot of fun
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2012
To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect from this first novel by Adam Christopher - but it had come highly recommended by a number of my writer friends, so I figured it was worth a look.

Centered around a world with <em>two</em> New Yorks, one shrouded in fog and forever battling an unseen Enemy with the austerity of `Wartime' and another set in our world in 1950, with all the light, noise and people that inhabited the city in that time.

The Empire State, with its heart in one of the many correlations between the two, the Empire State Building, has retained the prohibition of alcohol and is only nineteen years old. Which is weird, because the people in it remember lives and events that predate those nineteen years.

Without giving too much away, the activities of two superheroes or supervillans (depending on who you talk to), known as the Skyguard and the Science Pirate, have had an impact in both versions of the Big Apple. Rad Bradley, private detective and frequenter of his local speakeasy, is caught up in various schemes and machinations and quickly finds himself out of his depth.

For a first novel, this has a polished feel and tells a great story. The interactions between the characters as well as the two New Yorks has been crafted with great care and it shows. In terms of storytelling, this is some of the best I've read for a long time and it's got a great deal to recommend it. There's the PI in the style of Sam Spade, superheroes, bootleggers, battle robots, airships and strange thugs in gas masks, set against the backdrop of the bleak Empire State and the vibrant New York of our world.

I enjoyed Christopher's tale immensely and am looking forward to his next effort. You won't be wasting your money by buying this one.
D J S
2.0 out of 5 stars I loved the concept and gave it a lot of chances ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 23, 2015
Laboured, unexciting and when the action comes it's somewhat confused. I loved the concept and gave it a lot of chances but it's just not a great read, avoid it if you can.
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StumpyB
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2014
The Empire State is a bit different from the books I normally read, but I enjoyed it. It keeps you guessing and has a tone that is characteristic of a Noir/PI Novel. Worth a read...