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Sign up todayThe Sword-Edged Blonde
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Learn moreIt should have been a case like any other: a missing princess, a king willing to pay in gold for her return. But before he realizes it, private investigator Eddie LaCrosse, a slightly shopworn sword jockey with a talent for discretion and detection, is swept up in a web of mystery and deceit involving a brutally murdered royal heir, a queen accused of an unspeakable crime, and the tragic past he thought he'd left behind.
In order to uncover the answers he seeks, Eddie must delve into the dark underbelly of society while digging deep into his own private history, drawing past and present together. Vast conspiracies, women both beautiful and deadly, and a centuries-old revenge scheme are only a few of the pieces in a lethal puzzle. The Sword-Edged Blonde is a tour de force foray into a realm of action, intrigue, and murder.
Alex Bledsoe grew up in west Tennessee, an hour north of Graceland. He’s been a reporter, editor, photographer, and door-to-door vacuum-cleaner salesman. He has published more than fifty short stories on topics as diverse as big-game hunters, mermaids, modern witches, Victorian gentlemen, and country musicians. He has two sons and lives in Wisconsin.
Stefan Rudnicki first became involved with audiobooks in 1994. Now a Grammy-winning audiobook producer, he has worked on more than three thousand audiobooks as a narrator, writer, producer, or director. He has narrated more than three hundred audiobooks. A recipient of multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards, he was presented the coveted Audie Award for solo narration in 2005, 2007, and 2014, and was named one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices in 2012.
Reviews
“The Sword-Edged Blonde has all the finesse and depth of a great hard-boiled mystery but takes place in a fully realized heroic fantasy setting. From start to finish, it’s a treat for readers of either genre and easily one of the better books I’ve had the pleasure of reading this year. Don’t miss this one.”
“Incorporating elements from both hard-boiled mystery and heroic fantasy, Bledsoe’s genre-blending first novel is both stylish and self-assured: Raymond Chandler meets Raymond E. Feist.”
“Those who like both fantasy and hard-boiled detective stories will love this genre-crossing novel…With his gravelly voice, Stefan Rudnicki becomes LaCrosse…Rudnicki’s narration shapes the images and emotions that move the plot forward. Intertwined mysteries create a twisting tale of murder and supernatural forces that inhabit the lands of Arentia. Rudnicki carefully delivers every moment of love, faith, and revenge.”
“Fans of Glen Cook’s Garrett novels or hard-boiled detective fiction will appreciate this well-crafted gem of a tale.”
“The Sword-Edged Blonde is a rollicking and quite enjoyable genre-blending novel. The unlikely pairing of hard-boiled mystery with heroic fantasy is great fun. Stefan Rudnicki is perfectly cast for this reading and brings an obvious enjoyment of the subject matter to his narrative. The characters are distinctive, the narrative is clear and imaginative; Mr. Rudnicki’s performance is a delight.”
“Intrigue reaches feverish new heights in Bledsoe’s witty mixture of romantic fantasy and hard-boiled detective elements.”
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