It all begins when PI Gulliver Dowd is approached by Ellis Torres, a street kid, on Valentino Pier in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn.

Ellis has lost his dog, and after Gulliver helps to find the dog for him, they go their separate ways. So when Ellis is discovered beaten, unconscious and left for dead not far from the pier early the following morning, Gulliver is horrified—and suspicious. He sets out to find the attacker and learn why the boy was targeted. What Gulliver uncovers by way of bizarre clues—amidst threats of danger to himself and his loved ones—leads him on his most curious case yet. Undeniably, there is something amiss at Valentino Pier.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for older teen readers and adults who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

Called a "hard-boiled poet" by NPR's Maureen Corrigan and "the noir poet laureate" in the Huffington Post, Reed Farrel Coleman has published fifteen novels. He is a three-time recipient of the Shamus Award for Best PI Novel of the Year and is a two-time Edgar Award nominee. He is an adjunct instructor of English at Hofstra University and lives with his family on Long Island. For more information, visit www.reedcoleman.com.

Reed Farrel Coleman's profile page

"Coleman, the award-winning author of the Moe Prager series, is a welcome addition to the talented stable of writers who have joined Orca’s Rapid Reads line. Mixing accessible prose meant to draw in new and reluctant readers with an exciting plot, Coleman introduces a gutsy, street-savvy hero. More, please."

Library Journal

"An action-packed mystery...Well-written, fast paced, and loaded with interesting characters."

CM Magazine

"Features a plot that moves quickly and is filled with action...The sentence structure is simple, and the vocabulary is easy to understand, making it a great read for English-language learners."

VOYA