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The Seminarian by Hart Hanson
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The Seminarian

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Narrator Evan Sibley

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Length 9 hours 56 minutes
Language English
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From the creator of the TV show Bones, The Seminarian is a twisty murder mystery perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich and Carl Hiaasen.

Xavier “Priest” Priestly is a snarky former seminarian turned private investigator. Dusty Queen is a hard-as-nails professional stuntwoman and freelance bodyguard. When Dusty’s girlfriend suddenly disappears, a woman in a strange blue wig tries to assassinate Priest, and a twelve-year-old boy shows up claiming to be his son, the two friends are thrown into a maelstrom of intrigue and high-stakes violence that’s as convoluted and dangerous as it is hilarious.

Thankfully, Priest and Dusty don’t have to navigate these tangled mysteries alone. Aided by a lawyer who’s underwhelmed by their extra-legal methods, a straight-laced detective who doesn’t trust them as far as he can throw them, and Priest’s father, a notorious bank robber, they are well equipped to deal with potential kidnapping and attempted murder. But whether Priest is up to the challenge of a son with a gun, a backpack full of weed, and a major attitude problem … well, that’s a different story.

With its unforgettable cast, parade of twists and turns, and breakneck pace, The Seminarian showcases Hart Hanson at his best. Packed with action and glistening with snappy dialogue, surprising tenderness, and (mostly) good people doing some exceptionally bad things, this distinctive thriller is as entertaining as it is insightful.

Hart Hanson wrote for Canadian television before moving to Los Angeles, where he worked on various TV programs before creating the series Bones, the longest-running scripted hour-long series on the FOX network. Married with two sons, Hart lives with his wife, Brigitte, in Venice, California. The Driver is his first novel.

Evan Sibley is an in-demand narrator with a background in film and stage acting.

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Reviews

“This fast and furious thriller is destined to keep you guessing.”

“Cool and stylish, witty and urbane. The Seminarian is riotous fun—a winning combination of colorful characters engaged in knotty mysteries, all taking place against a Venice Beach backdrop so vividly described I could almost feel the sand under my toes and smell the weed on the air.”

“Fast-paced, witty, and ebullient, The Seminarian is a thoroughly satisfying mystery with a thoughtful heart. It’s a joy to spend time with Xavier Priestly and his crew.”

“A study in contrasts, this book is by turns bloody, gritty, and violent, heartwarming, thought-provoking, and laugh-out-loud funny. An unusual, inventive, unforgettable read that will appeal to mystery aficionados looking for something different.”

“The creator and writer of the TV show Bones introduces a wacky cast of characters in his second fast-paced, action-packed novel. For fans of Tim Dorsey’s Serge A. Storms novels.”

The Seminarian is as wild, irreverent, dangerous, grimy, kinky, and purely Californian as its Venice Beach setting. The characters are so bright, colorful, and vivid that you’ll need sunglasses to read this delightfully wacky and wild crime novel. If you love Carl Hiaasen and Tim Dorsey, this sly, over-the-top romp is a must-read.”

“If you like your detectives hard-boiled but with a redeeming soft center then step forward Xavier Priest, your newest PI hero. In The Seminarian, Hart Hanson has sent his gloriously unforgettable characters into a wondrously twisty-turny mystery that the reader will never want to end. More please!”

“A goddamn delight…It’s been a long time since I’ve actually read a new PI novel this surprising and fun.”

The Seminarian is a fast-paced crime thriller with smart, snarky characters and a deep affection for Venice Beach culture. Hanson has hit his stride on this one, I hope we see more of Xavier Priestly and the gang. Highly recommended.”

“Masterfully crafted…Hanson returns with another wildly funny ride.”

The Seminarian has unique and engaging characters, hilarious dialogue, and a twisty plot. I love this book!”

“The reader [is] highly entertained by the off-center, colorful world Hanson’s created, overflowing with rat-a-tat dialogue and deadpan humor. An audacious and auspicious novel.”

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Celebrate our 10th Anniversary with giveaways, merch, and more! Learn more