FADE TO CLEAR.
New York, NY: St. Martin's Minotaur/Thomas Dunne (Summer 2004).
Allen Choice,
now a full partner of Baxter & Choice Investigations, finds his life
in upheaval by the
reappearance of his ex-lover Linda. Over the objections of his
current girlfriend, Allen reluctantly takes on the case of finding
Linda's niece, who was abducted by her father in a bitter divorce
battle. As Allen delves deeper into the investigation, unearthing
links to drug smuggling and money laundering, he becomes the target
of larger, more deadly forces that strike a tragic blow. In the
wake of personal loss, he compels himself forward in this perilous
case and at the same time makes profound decisions that will reverberate
throughout his life. Fade to Clear was a finalist for the Shamus Award,
a USA Today Summer Reading Pick, and Allen Choice was named "Coolest
Imaginary Private Eye" in the East
Bay Express "Best of the East Bay" Annual Issue.
Check out the print-ready Reader's Guide.
Read the San Francisco Chronicle profile.
Sample a short excerpt of Fade to Clear.
Check here for Leonard's bookstore Reading Schedule.
Praise for Fade to Clear:
"Choice--intuitive, two-fisted, sometimes melancholic, often confused and funny despite himself--drives a breakout novel not to be missed."
"[Choice] has found a new maturity that makes this outing the most satisfying yet... With a spare, literary style that suits his reticent protagonist, Chang paints a quietly affectionate picture of Choice, his relationships and the Bay Area, while also delivering the thrilling twists and tragedies of classic noir fiction."
"In his third thriller featuring Kierkegaard-reading Korean-American PI Allen Choice, Chang nimbly combines issues of racial alienation with noir style...Chang's taut, suspenseful storytelling, as well as his atmospheric use of the Bay Area, makes this an engrossing caper."
"The angst-ridden Korean-American PI Allen Choice reads philosophy, sorts out feelings about his girlfriend Serena and searches for ex-girlfriend Linda's kidnapped niece in the most compelling novel in Chang's California-based crime series. Choice's struggles with ethnicity, commitment and making tough decisions have universal appeal."
--USA Today (Featured Summer Entertainment Pick)
(If your computer has trouble reading this, click here for a screen shot.)
"...gripping, terrifying and even sad...the book compels our attention with a terrific plot and pacing that make it hard to put down...Chang gets kudos for taking the elements of a basic private-investigator mystery and turning them sideways, inside out and backward for a whole new take on the genre. This is an excellent book that deserves lots of readers...."
"Fans of contemplative crime fiction should enjoy the third outing of Korean American sleuth Allen Choice....[whose] decency, dedication, and dopey charm win readers over...."
--Booklist
"...delicious both in terms of plot and psychology..."
--Alan Cheuse, NPR's All Things Considered
Download the Real Audio file here or get RealPlayer here. Read the transcript.
"...Chang's novels...are the most entertaining, enjoyable books I've read in recent memory...Chang has slipped into a groove of mastery and confidence. As you become absorbed in this book, you will find something much deeper: writing that comes close to being exquisite...Fade to Clear will be the most fun you'll have reading all year."
--Charse Yun, KoreAm Journal
Available at your local bookstore. Find it at Booksense
Also available at BN.com or Amazon.com