Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Preston Noir" by Sean O'Leary is a riveting journey into the dark underbelly of urban Australia, where the lines between right and wrong blur in the shadows of crime and desperation. The novel introduces us to Rufus Warhol, a private investigator with a penchant for trouble and a heart weighed down by familial obligations and debts.

O'Leary masterfully crafts a narrative that is as much about the personal struggles of Rufus as it is about the case he's trying to solve. The disappearance of a teenage girl becomes the catalyst for a story that delves deep into themes of loyalty, addiction, and the cost of survival in a world that's unforgiving to the weak.

The author's prose is sharp and evocative, painting a picture of Preston's streets with a gritty realism that can almost be felt. The pacing is relentless, mirroring Rufus's own race against time as he juggles the mounting pressure from a local crime boss, the chaos wrought by his drug-dealing brother, and the heartbreak of a drug-addicted sister.

What stands out in "Preston Noir" is the authenticity of its characters. Rufus, with all his flaws and rough edges, is a protagonist that readers can root for, even when his choices are less than noble. The supporting cast is just as compelling, from the ex-girlfriend tired of bailing Rufus out to the siblings who, despite their paths, share a bond that not even the grimmest of circumstances can sever.

In essence, "Preston Noir" is a tale of redemption and resilience. It's about finding clarity in the chaos and discovering that sometimes, the only way out is through. O'Leary has delivered a crime novel that resonates on a human level, making Preston Noir a must-read for fans of the genre.