Gothic Heaven and Hell

This is a space set up to publicize the novel Candy from Strangers by Mark Coggins, published by Bleak House Books .

The profile, pictures, blog, etc. are the way two characters from the book might have set them up for their "Gothic Heaven and Hell" web site.

A podcast of the first chapter is available from National Public Radio affiliate KQED as part of their weekly series The Writers' Block .

"I've been waiting a long time for a fresh look at the private eye story. Mark Coggins has delivered it here ... It's original, it's smart and it was good to the last page."
—Michael Connelly

"[A] gripping ... hard-boiled exploit... Riordan's street smarts and witty asides will make him a familiar--and welcome--figure to fans of Robert Parker's Boston PI, Spenser."
—Publishers Weekly

"This third outing for Coggins's private investigator August Riordan proves him a worthy successor to the iconic Sam Spade... [A] volume that fits comfortably alongside those of Hammett and Chandler. Heartily recommended."
—Library Journal

"A mystery that puts on paper the problems modern society has with a need for instant gratification and a social structure more and more based on computer screens and keyboards. Coggins makes human and real what is to many just a story in the news. And he does it with humor, skill and depth."
—Jennifer Jordan, Crimespree Magazine

"Crackling and whip smart ... Coggins' novel reincarnates the heady excesses of earlier chroniclers of debauchery in the Golden State, such as Roger L. Simon and Arthur Lyons."
—Derek Hill, Mystery Scene Magazine

"Coggins knows his roots and he knows his town, pays homage to both and, in so doing, creates a fine PI novel. For those of you looking for the writer you may have missed, here’s a third chance to discover Coggins."
—Sally Owen, Bookaholic

"Coggins recreates the private eye novel from scratch, breathing new life into it, standing every cliche of the genre on its ear. In turn fall-down funny, then dark and brooding, [it] ends up being a sly examination of all that's wrong—and right—with today's youth-driven society ... it's a hell of a read."
—Joe Gores

"Yes, [this] is a fun, enjoyable, droll and snappy page-turner--but it's more than that, too. This little gem of a book has a very human heart, revealing a keen understanding not just of how and why young girls go missing, but how and why all of us keep missing each other."
—David Corbett

"Sourpuss secretaries, predatory professors, greedy gurus, sanctimonious shrinks ... [a] well-crafted cast of characters, led by [a] smart-stepping shamus."
—Kirkus Reviews

For more information on the book, visit the web site for author Mark Coggins .