Street Fighter: A Mystery - Hardcover

Kent, Bill

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0312328834 ISBN 13: 9780312328832

Publisher: Minotaur Books, 2005

Synopsis

Neville Shepherd Ladderback, the Philadelphia Press's "old, dusty" obituary writer, is researching accountant Paul Small, a city legend in all things dealing with money, who was beaten to death with his own cane. Finding it hard to get a straight story, Ladderback is surprised when Andrea "Andy" Cosicki, the voice behind the "Mr. Action" question-and-answer column, provides him with a key lead. But as each reporter searches for the "nut," or defining element, in their stories, they find that this exchange is just the beginning in a series of startling discoveries.

News of Paul Small's death brings back Andy's best friend, Lucia; her mother had been involved with the dead man. The young women's reunion is interrupted by a violent confrontation with members of an Asian gang at a restaurant owned by Angelo Delise, the father of Lucia's friend Cece, who was raped and murdered years ago in the Asian immigrant sector of the city. The gang members were trying to get Delise's safe but failed, overpowered by Lucia's skill in the martial arts. Andy can see how Cece's death still haunts Lucia and she vows to find out the true story.

Ladderback's and Andy's investigations keep leading them back to the Pickle Factory, which used to be a warehouse crowded with illegal Asian immigrants but was later developed into luxury lofts by Small's nonprofit veterans organization. Did Small make promises he couldn't keep?

Community tension rides high in this third mystery from Bill Kent, an author who is well acquainted with the vibrant characters who live, and die, in gritty South Philly.

About this title

About the Author:

Bill Kent is a journalist and critic whose writing has appeared in more than forty regional and national publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Philadelphia Magazine. He lives in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, with his wife and son.

From Publishers Weekly:

A strong sense of hometown loyalty and authentic journalistic atmosphere lift Kent's third novel to feature seasoned Philadelphia obituary columnist Shep Ladderback and fledgling reporter Andrea "Andy" Cosicki (after 2003's Street Hungry). Ignoring warnings to back off investigating the murder of shady accountant Paulie Small, the crusty, humorless, agoraphobic Ladderback makes his way to Atlantic City to dig up an old schoolmate of his, a poker shark, to help him research Small's involvement with a veterans' group that's closely allied to an ambitious senator. When a street gang viciously attacks Small's girlfriend, who happens to the mother of Andy's martial-arts friend, Lucia Cavaletta, Andy and Lucia turn their sights on Philly's Asian immigrant community. The many tangents and backstories can be hard to follow at times, but the bold, quirky characterization and solid romantic subplot will keep readers turning the pages.
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About this edition

• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0312328834
• ISBN 13: 9780312328832
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336