The Unspoken: An Ashe Cayne Novel

by Ian K. Smith

Overview

In this new series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Ian K. Smith, an ex-cop turned private investigator seeks justice on the vibrant, dangerous streets of Chicago.

Former Chicago detective Ashe Cayne is desperate for redemption. After refusing to participate in a police department cover-up involving the death of a young black man, Cayne is pushed out of the force. But he won’t sit quietly on the sidelines: he’s compelled to fight for justice as a private investigator…even if it means putting himself in jeopardy.

When a young woman, Tinsley Gerrigan, goes missing, her wealthy parents from the North Shore hire Cayne to find her. As Cayne looks into her life and past, he uncovers secrets Tinsley’s been hiding from her family. Cayne fears he may never find Tinsley alive.

His worries spike when Tinsley’s boyfriend is found dead—another black man murdered on the tough Chicago streets. Cayne must navigate his complicated relationships within the Chicago PD, leveraging his contacts and police skills to find the missing young woman, see justice done, and earn his redemption.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781542020855
Publisher:	Amazon Publishing
Publication date:	10/01/2020
Series:	Ashe Cayne Series , #1
Pages:	300
Sales rank:	40,746
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Dr. Ian K. Smith is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Shred: The Revolutionary Diet, as well as Super Shred: The Big Results Diet, Blast the Sugar Out!, The Clean 20, The Ancient Nine, and eleven other books, with millions of copies in print. Dr. Smith’s critically acclaimed novel The Blackbird Papers was the 2005 BCALA fiction recipient of the Honor Book Award.

Dr. Smith is a former cohost of the Emmy Award–winning daytime talk show The Doctors and is currently the medical contributor and cohost of The Rachael Ray Show. He has written for Time, Newsweek, Men’s Fitness, and the New York Daily News, among others. Dr. Smith has served on the boards of the American Council on Exercise, the New York Mission Society, the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the New York Council for the Humanities, and the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity.

Keep up to date with Dr. Smith by visiting his website, www.doctoriansmith.com, and following him on Twitter @DrIanSmith and Instagram @DoctorIanSmith.

Editorial Reviews

2020-07-14
A wild-child heiress takes a powder. Was there foul play? That's the question in this novel from physician and TV fitness expert Smith.

Ashe Cayne has worked as a private investigator since a hazily described incident as a cop sent him into early retirement. The settlement he received from the Chicago PD allows him to indulge his passion for golf and be choosy about the cases he accepts. Impressed by imperious Violet Gerrigan and even more by her money, Ashe agrees to search for her missing daughter, Tinsley. Neither Tinsley’s BFF, Hunter Morgan, nor her dad, Randolph, is concerned that the madcap heiress has met with foul play. But her obedient brother, Connor, is right in step with mom. Tinsley’s therapist maintains patient confidentiality but waves no red flags. Of far greater concern is Tinsley’s relationship with Chopper McNair, the nephew of notorious crime boss Lanny “Ice” Culpepper. At length Violet reveals that Tinsley has access to $2 million of her trust fund. In between interviews with Tinsley’s circle, Ashe has time to check in with his retired father, Wendell, and monitor the movements of pedophile priest Mark Stanton. When Ashe finally meets Chopper, the young man convinces him that he’s broken away from his criminal clan. Two shocking developments change the complexion of the case: Tinsley’s physician’s receptionist confirms that she was pregnant; and one of the witnesses is murdered.

With its huge, entertaining cast and smooth sleuth, this series kickoff recalls vintage Chandler or Hammett.

Kirkus Reviews

08/03/2020

This fine series launch from bestseller Smith (The Ancient Nine) introduces PI Ashe Cayne, a former Chicago PD detective who has the luxury of being able to pick his cases selectively thanks to a large settlement he won from the city for wrongfully terminating him after he refused to participate in a department cover-up. Society matron Violet Gerrigan shows up at Ashe’s office and begs him to find her 25-year-old daughter, Tinsley, who left the Gerrigan family home two days earlier to visit a friend and hasn’t been seen or heard from since. Violet fears her daughter has been the victim of foul play. Ashe’s search for Tinsley brings him into contact with gang leaders, corporate bigwigs, dicey charitable organizations, and the machinations of the upper echelons of the Chicago police. What Ashe uncovers about the Gerrigans and their inner circle puts him in peril, but, because he’s a crusader with a strong sense of justice, he resolutely pursues all leads. Ashe is just one of many well-drawn, multilayered characters. Readers will eagerly await his return. Agent: Mitch Hoffman, Aaron M. Priest Literary. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

An Amazon Best Book of the Month: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award

“Narrator Amir Abdullah depicts Chicago's wealthy enclaves, struggling neighborhoods, and mouthwatering foods while introducing former-cop-turned-PI Ashe Cayne.… Abdullah excels with Cayne's cultured quotes, and his best creation is Commander Rory Burke—an old-school cop. Conversations with him are informative and hilarious. Most impressive is Abdullah's portrayal of Cayne's versatility: He ebulliently banters with gang members and chats up social elites. Audio enhances the fine writing and diverse characters.” —AudioFile Magazine

“With its huge, entertaining cast and smooth sleuth, this series kickoff recalls vintage Chandler or Hammett.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This fine series launch from bestseller Smith (The Ancient Nine) introduces PI Ashe Cayne, a former Chicago PD detective…Ashe is just one of many well-drawn, multilayered characters. Readers will eagerly await his return.” —Publishers Weekly

“Ian K. Smith has created a suspense story where the pages practically turn themselves all the way to the twist at the end.” —AuthorLink

“Smith creates a fond and layered portrait of the Windy City, in all its multidimensional glory, as we traipse from fancy high-rises, to grungy boxing gyms, to tastefully decorated criminal lairs. Here’s hoping for many more installments in the series!” —CrimeReads, Most Anticipated Crime Books of 2020

“Ian K. Smith’s The Unspoken is the start of a big, bold, original new series. Chicago PI Ashe Cayne is the perfect hero for our times. I can’t wait to read his next adventure.” —Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author

From the Publisher

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