In the Shadows of Dusk by Joy Fortuna
In a new novel full of action, crime, heroism, and more, Joy Fortuna hooks readers with In the Shadows of Dusk, the first installment of the Max Rossi series. This novel is action-packed right from the start, as we are introduced to protagonist Max Rossi in the midst of a crime scene. With five victims — one being his own mother, Valentina — while encountering a missing wife, and a visit from some ghosts of the past, Max works together with close friend, Detective Tomás Langley, to solve the case.
A Visit from Ghosts of the Past
We meet Max Rossi in the midst of a planned attack from a ghost of the past. Raymond Ivanov had long ago attempted to kill a distant friend of Max and Tommy’s and was sentenced to life in prison, charged with first-degree attempted murder. After being killed in a fight with another inmate, the Ivanovs blame Max for Raymond’s fate.
Now, seeking revenge, these hired assassins show up and cause chaos. Normally, this would be nothing but a minor inconvenience to Max, however, this is different than most of his encounters… “While knee deep in the mire, ridding himself of the problem once and for all, the ante is upped.”
This time, Max’s wife Hayden has been taken.
A mysterious thumb drive in the possession of Valentina, a vital player in the original crime, may hold the key to the motive behind the attacks. As Max works to solve this case, he is forced to confront a dark past with both his mother and the Ivanovs. He is determined to go to any lengths necessary as he plans his rescue of Hayden. Will he discover the significance of the thumb drive? Will he be able to rescue his wife in time? Will he be able to save lives and solve the case? Only time will tell as Max embarks on this journey.
Max Rossi Can Bury Anybody’s Skeletons
Max has always been a fixer by nature. Working out of an auto shop, Max uses his natural ability to change people’s lives — for the better. He selflessly defends those who cannot defend themselves.
With a father that was killed in the military and a mother that turned to drugs to cope, Max was forced to take responsibility for his younger sisters at a young age. Having grown up in a military family and spent part of his adult life in the military himself, Max uses the skills acquired in his youth for the greater good, completing clandestine missions around the world. “For the locals, Max was the defender for those in need. For his country, he was a war hero.”
When skeletons from law-abiding citizens’ closets crept up on them, Max rid “them of such skeletons and other problems. Confronted them head on. The crooks, kidnappers, extortionists.” While the police could be helpful, Max would take care of these skeletons in a more permanent way. He could ensure that those secrets stay buried. But this time, the past he tried to bury has returned, and Max is the one with a target on his back.
An Action-Packed Plot Told from Multiple Perspectives
Fortuna pieces together an intriguing plot told through multiple perspectives. We meet and hear from integral characters who play a vital role in the original crime scene. With each new perspective, readers are able to piece together what happened that night as well as the motives behind each character’s actions. We are let in on scandals such as love affairs, drug abuse and money laundering. This book is packed with action and intrigue as Max works together with his friends and colleagues to solve the crime and find his wife.
Filled with crime, danger, detective work and mystery, In the Shadows of Dusk is a gripping and complex story that is sure to have all readers on the edge of their seats, rooting for Max and his friends.
