Mr. Clarinet

“A first-class thriller that is equal parts hard-boiled Raymond Chandler mystery and voodoo-powered crime-fiction masterwork. . . . A spellbinding thriller of the highest order.”  —Chicago Tribune

Max Mingus wanted to turn down the case—15 million bucks or not. Three years had passed since Haitian billionaire Allain Carver’s five-year-old son was abducted. Sure, Max had been the best detective in Miami once. But that was before he went to jail. Before his wife died. Plus, he’d heard what had happened to the others who’d gone searching for Charlie Carver before him . . .

With nothing left to lose—and a lot of money to gain—Max heads to Haiti. He knows about the voodoo and black magic. But when the trail to the missing boy leads to a local myth about a spirit child stealer named “Mr. Clarinet,” could the truth be even more shocking than the legend? Max’s job suddenly isn’t just about finding the boy, his killers, or the money—it’s about just staying alive.

Max Mingus wanted to turn down the case—fifteen million bucks on the table or not. The boy was dead, Max was sure of it. Three years had passed since Haitian billionaire Allain Carver's five-year-old son was abducted. Why bother now? The huge bounty and the resources of the most powerful white family in Haiti hadn't turned up a lead.

Sure, Max had been the best detective in Miami once. But that was eight years back. Before he served time for killing a pair of junkie child-murderers. Before his wife, Sandra, died. Plus, he'd heard what had happened to the other PI's sent to Haiti before him—all dead, or their lives permanently screwed up, without ever getting close to finding Charlie Carver.

But with nothing left to lose—and for all that money—Max does go down there. The talk of voodoo and black magic is nothing compared to the haunting quiet of his own empty house. What Max doesn't count on is the depth of corruption, manipulation, and greed Haiti breeds in its inhabitants, a murky evil worse than death, which can easily swallow a man whole—especially a troubled man like Max Mingus.

When the trail to Charlie Carver points to a local myth—"Mr. Clarinet," a spirit figure who for decades is said to have been tempting children away from their families—could the truth be even more shocking than the legend? Max's job suddenly isn't all about finding the boy, his killers, or the money—it's about just staying alive....

The search for the next ‘big thing’ in the literary world is a dangerous business, but we think we may just have found him in Nick Stone. - The Observer

Gritty and unremittingly dark, replete with supervillains, Mr. Clarinet pays homage to pulp fiction and film noir. - The Guardian

Painstakingly researched, effectively written and well conceived, it deserves all of its pre-release hype. - Big Issue in the North

This is a hotshot debut novel. If you trust my judgment, buy it. - The Independent on Sunday

“A first-class thriller that is equal parts hard-boiled Raymond Chandler mystery and voodoo-powered crime-fiction masterwork…Featuring a fascinatingly complex protagonist whose sense of honor is surpassed only by his brutality, and some absolutely jaw-dropping plot twists – all against the shockingly stark backdrop of Haiti – Stone’s debut is a spellbinding thriller of the highest order.” - Chicago Tribune

"This is a book for which the common superlatives, ‘gripping,’ ‘riveting, ‘gritty’ and ‘dark’ are simply inadequate. From the first chapter, Mr. Clarinet spins the reader on a whirlwind tour of both the underbelly of the Third World and the basest depths of the human soul.” - BookPage

“Gritty, fascinating. . . . Stone’s exquisite writing, affinity for characters and ability to capture Haiti’s atmosphere fuel Mr. Clarinet.” - Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

“Adrenaline-packed . . . this thriller introduces a fresh voice that fans of hardboiled fiction won’t want to miss” - Publishers Weekly

If there’s one thing you must do in 2006, curl up and read Mr Clarinet by Nick Stone. - Daily Express

This is crime fiction at its zenith, challenging, compelling and with an insight that delves deep under the skin. - Crimespree

“Stone’s adrenaline-packed debut is not for the faint of heart . . . but readers accustomed to the grittiest of pulp fiction won’t be deterred . . .this thriller introduces a fresh voice that fans of hardboiled fiction won’t want to miss” - Publishers Weekly