New York in the 1940s was a wide-open town. In the
city of Swing Street, Frank Costello, and the Stork
Club, everything was for sale, including its people.
Into this arena steps Patrick Grimes, a World
War II veteran who works the graveyard shift for The
New York Examiner, one of the city’s brassiest tabloids.
Late one night, Grimes learns that a watchman has
found the body of a young woman in a squalid
section of tenements and breweries by the East River,
and races over to investigate. The victim turns out
to be Amanda Price, the eldest daughter of one of
Manhattan’s wealthiest men. Grimes can’t help but
wonder what would draw such a woman to that
part of town.
The watchman who found her is arrested for her
murder, and confesses, but Grimes is convinced it’s a
forced confession and the man is truly innocent. He
begins an investigation into Amanda Price’s life and
death, uncovering truths that jeopardize not only his
life, but also his sanity. Along the way, he traverses
a dizzying world that offers endless possibilities that
are tempting, dangerous and—for some people—overwhelming.
About the Author
 Tom Coffey is a writer and editor with an extensive background in
journalism. A graduate of the Newhouse
School of Communications at
Syracuse University, Tom has been a
reporter and editor for some of America’s
leading newspapers. A staff editor
at The New York Times since 1997, he
has also worked for New York Newsday,
The Los Angeles Herald-Examiner and
The Miami Herald.
His first novel, The Serpent Club, was published in 1999
to starred reviews. His second novel, Miami Twilight, was
published in 2001. Tom has been a member of the Mystery
Writers of America since 1999.
Tom lives in Lower Manhattan with his wife and
daughter.
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Visit the author's website for more!
The Critics Praise:
“Coffey's beautifully constructed novel has stiletto-sharp prose and a heart of steel.” - The Boston Globe
"This superb crime novel from Coffey will remind many readers of the hard-hitting work of James Ellroy. Sterling prose (“It was the voice of a girl who knew she would never be lonely because all her hellos were given to people who wanted her company”) and a pulse-pounding plot combined with an authentic picture of a mob-ruled New York City make this a compelling read." - Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A complex, often gripping crime story that should come with a warning. What Coffey sees through his glass isn't just dark, it's stygian." - Kirkus
“Blood Alley is a completely absorbing and enthralling tale. Tom Coffey doesn't miss a beat or a detail as he takes us into the brilliantly realized world of New York City circa 1940s. Coffey uses the details to create a convincing mosaic of a dark world where anything can happen.” - Michael Connelly
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