Joe Clifford is a celebrated author whose works explore the darker corners of human experience with unflinching honesty. His distinctive voice and gritty realism draw readers into complex narratives that often delve into themes of addiction, loss, and the search for redemption. Clifford masterfully crafts suspenseful plots while grounding his stories in profoundly human characters, making his writing both thrilling and deeply resonant.
A gripping blend of true crime and eco-political thriller unfolds as Buddy investigates the mysterious disappearance and subsequent death of his brother Josh, a construction worker tied to a powerful family. With connections to the president and a legacy of toxic soil exposure that claimed their father's life, Buddy's search for answers leads him into a web of conspiracies involving local authorities and sinister forces. This novel intertwines elements of espionage and psychological suspense, exploring themes of brotherly love and the quest for truth amid madness.
The narrative unfolds over twenty-five years, focusing on sisters Lydia and Jessica Barrett, whose tragic deaths in 1991 follow a protest for a beloved teacher's dismissal. As the story delves into the sisters' lives and the events leading to their demise, it explores themes of family, activism, and the impact of societal issues on personal relationships, unraveling the mystery surrounding their untimely end and its lasting effects on their community.
Exploring the concept of a crime that never occurred, this true-crime narrative delves into the psychological and societal implications surrounding the incident. Through a meticulous examination of events and perceptions, it challenges the notions of truth and accountability, raising questions about memory, media influence, and the human psyche. The book invites readers to reflect on how narratives can shape reality, ultimately revealing the complexities of crime and its impact on individuals and communities.
A mysterious disappearance in 1998 sets the stage for a dramatic reunion two decades later. Robert Kirby, now a successful professor, is confronted by Lily, a young woman who claims to be the daughter of his missing step-sister, Brooke. As he grapples with the implications of her arrival and the secrets of his family's past, Robert's life takes a tumultuous turn, challenging his hard-won stability and forcing him to confront unresolved issues from his childhood.
Brandon Cossey is finishing his last semester as an undergrad when he learns his childhood best friend, Jacob Balfour, has committed suicide. The news about Jacob, who had long battled schizophrenia, does not come as a surprise--but the bizarre details surrounding his death do. Jacob was found several states away, in a quarry, burned alive. Brandon returns to his hometown and discovers Jacob had been moonlighting as an amateur DIY reporter. As sole author and editor of the homemade zine Illuminations, Jacob has been covering a wide array of conspiracy theories. When Jacob's estranged grandfather, Francis, who also suffers from schizophrenia (but chooses to go untreated), arrives for the funeral, he tells Brandon that Jacob didn't kill himself; Jacob stumbled upon a secret so deadly he was murdered to keep it quiet. Soon afterwards, Brandon's life takes a turn for the strange. He notices odd cars and lookalikes following him, his personal property is hacked and stolen, and Brandon can no longer trust what he thinks he sees. As his grasp on reality recedes and falters, Brandon must question whether a sinister gang of doppelgängers, whom Jacob dubbed "the Shadow People," are really responsible. Events conspire to put Brandon on the road with Francis, as the unlikely duo travel across the upper Midwest attempting to learn the truth about Jacob's death
The story centers on Oz Reyes, a former NFL prospect turned security head, who is summoned to Miami for an awards show amidst family turmoil. He encounters Delma Dupree, his boss, who is battling Alzheimer's and grappling with her adopted son Rodney's life sentence for a heinous crime. As Oz reluctantly investigates Rodney's conviction, he navigates the complexities of the Dupree family dynamics, including the impact of Delma's condition and the haunting memories of his past in Miami, where he lost both his football career and his first love, Tania.
Award-winning author Joe Clifford's breakout novel, a thriller of
psychological suspense about a man eager to restart his life after being
acquitted of a heinous crime, only to find himself a suspect again when a body
washes up near his house.
