Note: I was given access to read this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent slow-burn noir detective story: This seems like one to put on the pull list. ( )

Easton Burton is a calculating ruthless cross between Sherlock Holmes and Richard Stark's Parker, and he walks a razor blade tightrope as the neutral troubleshooter for all the major criminal organizations of New York City. He puts out the little fires before they become city-razing conflagrations. Mostly, he solves murders to prevent the wronged parties from taking the wrong revenge. They're not really fair-play mysteries, though, they're more like thrillers with twisty endings, usually only lasting a chapter.

He's recently taken on a whip-smart protege who has some complicating baggage, causing the first multi-chapter story arc near the end of the volume. At various points she is called Emily Walker, Angie Walker, and Emily Star. I'm not sure if those were editorial fails or a series of aliases. I mean, she also uses a fourth name in one chapter, but at least that one was acknowledged as a cover.

The whole thing is fairly typical tough guy crime fiction with characters who are fairly stock and a concept that's quite a bit difficult to swallow. But it's just interesting enough to get a thumbs up.

The only thing that really annoys me is the choice of the British and Canadian creators to let their spelling for words like "neighbour," "favour," and "armour" and phrases like "fish and chips" creep into this American setting. It's jarring and distracting. ( )