A new PI. A dead rockstar. A tangled web of secrets.
When Ethan Adler set up his new PI agency in central Manchester, he wasn’t expecting his first case to be so high profile – investigating the mysterious death of rock star Dylan Vy.
Ethan has been avoiding the spotlight ever since his beloved wife Maggie’s untimely passing. His grief has been complicated by rumours that Maggie was pregnant with another man’s child at the time of her fatal accident. And because said accident took place just hours after Ethan won the lottery, a cloud of suspicion has followed Ethan ever since.
With the help of his assistant Amelia, Ethan throws himself into uncovering the truth about Dylan Vy. In a fast-escalating investigation, they uncover a labyrinth of secrets, lies and deadly connections between bandmates, girlfriends and a volatile manager. And when Dylan's unreleased music is leaked on the dark web, speculation swirls that the lyrics contain hidden clues that might lead to the killer. But who leaked these songs, and what is their secret motive? In the midst of a media frenzy and a storm of fan conspiracy theories, who can Ethan trust?
As Ethan digs deeper, he must also confront his own demons — the lingering questions about Maggie’s death and the growing realisation that those closest to him may have played a role…
I've had the pleasure of reading a number of Chris McDonald's books and whether it's his gripping DI Erika Piper series, his cosy Stonebridge Mysteries or his chilling festive thrillers (written as Chris Frost), his observant, authentic characterisation always perfectly complements a cracking plot. The Wrong Man is no exception and this superb introduction to the Ethan Adler series is his best book to date.
Rock 'n' roll is notorious for the tragic excesses of its stars and sure enough, Dylan Vy, the singer with next-big-thing band, Crimson Riot, dies in apparently stereotypical sordid circumstances on his 21st birthday. However, after the prologue hints at a darker reason for his premature death, his grieving father, Roger, approaches Ethan Adler and asks him to investigate the circumstances behind the tragedy. Roger believes that the police were too quick to assert it was due to either an overdose or suicide and he convinces Ethan to take on what becomes his first case.
Ethan is a new PI, having previously been a prison officer. He also became a millionaire and a widower on the same day, and for a while, was suspected of murdering his wife, Maggie. Some people still think he is guilty and to complicate matters even further, he has discovered that at the time of her death, Maggie was pregnant by another man. He's arguably not in the best place emotionally to be looking into mysterious deaths but with the help of his new assistant, Amelia, he is determined to uncover the truth – about Dylan and Maggie. Considering everything that has happened to him, perhaps the most remarkable thing about Ethan is how normal he is. He's a middle-aged man who drives a Skoda, drinks pints and listens to rock music. He isn't technologically proficient, however, and Amelia proves to be an irreplaceable asset to his fledgling new business. Amelia is a wonderful character; from her audacious interview to her not-entirely-legal methods of obtaining information, her effervescent presence is a delight throughout. Although their friendship peppers the storyline with wry humour, it could appear to be mismatched – he is some years older than her – but the banter flows almost immediately and it works beautifully. She has secrets of her own too but as trust begins to flourish between them, she also reveals her more vulnerable side.
The case itself becomes increasingly complex and it soon becomes clear that there are people who will go to any lengths to prevent the truth being revealed. Ethan is resolute though and thanks to his former career, knows how to handle himself. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that Dylan's death is connected to some dodgy, very dangerous individuals and The Wrong Man is a nailbitingly intense read packed with drama. As Ethan digs into Dylan's short life as a rockstar, he is thrust into the dark side of the music scene. Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll might be a cliché but it's no fallacy and the tragic singer left a litany of stories of his promiscuous behaviour, arguments and wild partying. With a tumultuous relationship, clashes with bandmates and obsessive fans, Vy was a tabloid's dream and the feeding frenzy continues when some of his unreleased music is leaked on the dark web. Do the lyrics to these songs hint at the reason why he died?
The vibrant descriptions of Manchester means the narrative sings with atmospheric grittiness but Chris McDonald also ensures his readers never forget Dylan's humanity or that there are real people behind the headlines. He empathetically explores the ripples of loss for both Dylan's loved ones and with regards to Ethan's own case, and there are some poignant scenes to balance the startling twists and shocking revelations. The mystery surrounding Dylan Vy's death might be Ethan Adler's first official case but his drive to expose the grim facts extends to his preoccupation with the secrets Maggie was keeping from him before she died. As he is forced to confront the devastating reality, the stage is tantalisingly set for further developments as the series continues.
The Wrong Man is a wildly entertaining read; its pitch-perfect plot is electrifyingly addictive but it is also full of genuine heart. I highly recommend it!
The Wrong Man is published by Harper North, purchasing links can be found here.
About the Author
Formerly a primary school teacher, he is a script writer, husband, father to two beautiful girls, a regular voice on The Blood Brothers Podcast and co-founder of Stockport Noir. He is a fan of 5-a-side football, heavy metal and dogs and fronts Warped, a pop punk covers band.
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