The Big Lie

“Gabriel Valjan writes in a voice not heard since the golden days of the noir novel. His tough characters—good guys, bad guys, and confused folks just caught in the whirlwind—sparkle like the facets of a dark jewel, and his images linger in the mind after the book’s long over.”

— SJ Rozan, best-selling author of THE MAYORS OF NEW YORK

“If Raymond Chandler were alive today, this is the story he’d write: Great characters, a noir-ish plot that never flags, writing that sizzles, and a relevant tale of the ways in which justice is, sadly, not blind.”

— Mally Becker, Agatha nominated author of THE PARIS MISTRESS

“Whip-smart, pacy, and full of curves. A worthy addition to the PI oeuvre.”

— Colin Campbell, Acclaimed author of the Jim Grant thrillers

“When you begin a crime novel with PI Shane Cleary getting hired by a gangster to find a stolen pooch, a standard poodle named Boo, there are several ways you can go, and most of them are downhill. Fortunately, Gabriel Valjan is at the helm of THE BIG LIE, which guarantees it heads in the right direction. Up. The dialogue is snappy, the retorts witty, and along the way we meet a host of unforgettable characters—hey, it’s Boston, what else would you expect?”

— Charles Salzberg is the award-winning and Shamus Award-nominated author of SECOND STORY MAN, CANARY IN THE COAL MINE, and the Henry Swann series