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The Dead Don't Lie
After being forced to leave New York City, the only home he’s ever known, Cole Blackstone and his childhood friend, Bracken Hart, head to the town of Byron to solve a mystery. Three young people have gone missing and the local authorities are struggling to explain the disappearances.
After a harrowing journey through the Wild, a savage forest full of nightmares, they arrive in Byron. The lakeside town appears to be an idyllic place to live, where no one carries a weapon and the community spirit is still strong. But tensions are running high and everyone is looking for a scapegoat to blame for what has happened.
Cole discovers the town is harbouring a dark secret that refuses to stay buried. Unable to rely on Bracken, due to his failing health, and surrounded by strangers he can't trust, Cole must solve the mystery before violence erupts on the streets.
After a harrowing journey through the Wild, a savage forest full of nightmares, they arrive in Byron. The lakeside town appears to be an idyllic place to live, where no one carries a weapon and the community spirit is still strong. But tensions are running high and everyone is looking for a scapegoat to blame for what has happened.
Cole discovers the town is harbouring a dark secret that refuses to stay buried. Unable to rely on Bracken, due to his failing health, and surrounded by strangers he can't trust, Cole must solve the mystery before violence erupts on the streets.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2026
About the author
Stephen Aryan
20 books769 followersI’m a lifelong fan of fantasy and science fiction. It started with The Hobbit, The Belgariad, the Earthsea books, the Shannara books, DragonLance and then David Gemmell, who was a huge influence on my writing.
My novels include:-
The Nightingale and the Falcon trilogy
The Judas Blossom (July 2023)
The Blood Dimmed Tide (9 July 2024)
The Judas Blossom 3 (July 2025)
The Quest for Heroes duology
-The Coward (June 2021)
- The Warrior (August 2022)
Age of Darkness (first trilogy)
- Battlemage
- Bloodmage
- Chaosmage
Age of Dread (second trilogy)
-Mageborn
-Magefall
-Magebane
A prequel novella to everything, Of Gods and Men, was published in February 2018.
I am represented by Juliet Mushens of Mushens Entertainment.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Dead Don't Lie is the second novella in the noir fantasy series The Blackstone Files, written by Stephen Aryan. A direct follow-up to New York Minute that puts us again in the shoes of Cole Blackstone, changing the New York setting for the Wild and a small city, embracing the weirdness as a defining element of this series while maintaining the noir vibes that made the first book so enjoyable.
After having to leave New York, Cole Blackstone and his old-time friend, Bracken Hart, are on their way to the city of Byron, as three people have disappeared and the local authorities are struggling to find a link. An apparently idyllic place to live, but where tension is rising and people are looking for somebody to blame; unless Cole can solve the mystery hidden in the heart of the city, violence will burn the streets of Byron. Bracken's declining health also leaves him without many allies to rely on, forcing Cole to discern who he can trust in this city.
In comparison with the previous novella, we have a Cole that is outside of his natural element, a city boy exposed to the Wild, first, and later to how a small city works, how everybody knows almost everybody and how difficult is sometimes to penetrate that barrier that appears from being a foreigner, forcing him to trust in locals, even if he tests them before letting them join. He's also worried about how Bracken's condition is developing, and that adds an extra layer of tension, but also lets us see how he deeply cares for his people. Cole is a complex character, and even in this short format, Aryan manages to show it.
The setting change worked well for me, especially as it allows this series to embrace the weird facet of its world, introducing us to those traditions and cults that might survive outside of the big urban cores; a foreigner entering a seemingly idyllic community that hides things from the outsiders.
In terms of pacing, Aryan strikes a good balance between the own investigation, including slower scenes, creating a tension that is released in more intense, action scenes.
The Dead Don't Lie is a worthy successor to New York Minute, a perfect choice if you are looking for well-plotted noir fantasy in a bite-size format; I'm really curious to see which direction Aryan wants to take after the ending!
After having to leave New York, Cole Blackstone and his old-time friend, Bracken Hart, are on their way to the city of Byron, as three people have disappeared and the local authorities are struggling to find a link. An apparently idyllic place to live, but where tension is rising and people are looking for somebody to blame; unless Cole can solve the mystery hidden in the heart of the city, violence will burn the streets of Byron. Bracken's declining health also leaves him without many allies to rely on, forcing Cole to discern who he can trust in this city.
In comparison with the previous novella, we have a Cole that is outside of his natural element, a city boy exposed to the Wild, first, and later to how a small city works, how everybody knows almost everybody and how difficult is sometimes to penetrate that barrier that appears from being a foreigner, forcing him to trust in locals, even if he tests them before letting them join. He's also worried about how Bracken's condition is developing, and that adds an extra layer of tension, but also lets us see how he deeply cares for his people. Cole is a complex character, and even in this short format, Aryan manages to show it.
The setting change worked well for me, especially as it allows this series to embrace the weird facet of its world, introducing us to those traditions and cults that might survive outside of the big urban cores; a foreigner entering a seemingly idyllic community that hides things from the outsiders.
In terms of pacing, Aryan strikes a good balance between the own investigation, including slower scenes, creating a tension that is released in more intense, action scenes.
The Dead Don't Lie is a worthy successor to New York Minute, a perfect choice if you are looking for well-plotted noir fantasy in a bite-size format; I'm really curious to see which direction Aryan wants to take after the ending!
July 24, 2026
The Dead Don't Lie is the follow up novella to New York Minute, and Stephen Aryan wastes absolutely no time getting things moving. Book two picks up straight from the aftermath of the first, throwing us right back into Cole Blackstone's shoes as he and his best friend, Bracken, leave New York behind and head to Byron to investigate a string of disappearances involving young adults who are presumed dead.
One of the biggest strengths of this novella is how much the world expands. In New York Minute, we were largely confined to the gritty streets of New York, but here Aryan opens things up beautifully. The Wild becomes so much more than an interesting concept, it feels dark, haunting, mysterious and genuinely dangerous, with every step into the Wild carrying real tension. Then there's Byron itself, a rural community built on religion, tradition and secrets. Aryan has always excelled at immersive worldbuilding, and once again he packs in just enough detail to make you feel like you're right there alongside Cole, experiencing every unsettling discovery firsthand.
The mystery itself is brilliantly handled. It's layered, unpredictable and unfolds at exactly the right pace. I loved that we only learned information as Cole did, making us feel like genuine participants in the investigation rather than readers sitting comfortably ahead of the protagonist. Every new clue shifted my suspicions, every revelation made me question someone else, and it quickly became a case of everyone being a suspect until proven otherwise. The deeper Cole dug, the murkier everything became.
What continues to impress me most about this series is Aryan's commitment to character. Amidst all the investigation and supicious events, he still finds time to let Cole breathe as a person. We see his vulnerabilities as Bracken's illness worsens, his frustration when the investigation stalls, and his self doubt when leads dry up. But we also see the determination that makes him such an engaging lead and his relentless need to uncover the truth no matter the cost.
And then there's that ending.
Wow.The final act feels like the closing rounds of a heavyweight title fight. Every chapter lands another punch, every revelation raises the stakes, and just when you think Aryan has emptied the tank, he delivers one final knockout blow. The hook for book three landed perfectly, and now I'm desperate to know what comes next.
I'm loving what The Blackstone Files is becoming. It's a wonderfully dark blend of crime and fantasy, with compelling mysteries, richly realised settings and characters who feel increasingly real with every instalment. Aryan isn't afraid to venture into some genuinely bleak places, and I think that's exactly what gives this series its edge.
Roll on book three, I need it now.
One of the biggest strengths of this novella is how much the world expands. In New York Minute, we were largely confined to the gritty streets of New York, but here Aryan opens things up beautifully. The Wild becomes so much more than an interesting concept, it feels dark, haunting, mysterious and genuinely dangerous, with every step into the Wild carrying real tension. Then there's Byron itself, a rural community built on religion, tradition and secrets. Aryan has always excelled at immersive worldbuilding, and once again he packs in just enough detail to make you feel like you're right there alongside Cole, experiencing every unsettling discovery firsthand.
The mystery itself is brilliantly handled. It's layered, unpredictable and unfolds at exactly the right pace. I loved that we only learned information as Cole did, making us feel like genuine participants in the investigation rather than readers sitting comfortably ahead of the protagonist. Every new clue shifted my suspicions, every revelation made me question someone else, and it quickly became a case of everyone being a suspect until proven otherwise. The deeper Cole dug, the murkier everything became.
What continues to impress me most about this series is Aryan's commitment to character. Amidst all the investigation and supicious events, he still finds time to let Cole breathe as a person. We see his vulnerabilities as Bracken's illness worsens, his frustration when the investigation stalls, and his self doubt when leads dry up. But we also see the determination that makes him such an engaging lead and his relentless need to uncover the truth no matter the cost.
And then there's that ending.
Wow.The final act feels like the closing rounds of a heavyweight title fight. Every chapter lands another punch, every revelation raises the stakes, and just when you think Aryan has emptied the tank, he delivers one final knockout blow. The hook for book three landed perfectly, and now I'm desperate to know what comes next.
I'm loving what The Blackstone Files is becoming. It's a wonderfully dark blend of crime and fantasy, with compelling mysteries, richly realised settings and characters who feel increasingly real with every instalment. Aryan isn't afraid to venture into some genuinely bleak places, and I think that's exactly what gives this series its edge.
Roll on book three, I need it now.
July 22, 2026
4.5/5 stars
The Dead Don’t Lie the second novella in the crime-noir series The Blackstone Files. Ex-cop-turned-PI Cole Blackstone with his best friend Bracken Hart are sent out to the lakeside town of Byron, where a series of young people have gone missing. To get there, they must first journey through the Wild where danger lurks everywhere. And once in Byron, Cole must rely on his wits and cunning as Bracken’s health declines and the town’s dark secrets are brought to light.
I liked this one slightly more than the first book. Although the series is set in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic world that has rejected technology, New York Minute was a fairly straightforward crime-noir thriller. This second installment introduces a much stronger sci-fi-fantasy element as the story moves beyond New York City. This is especially apparent during the journey through the Wild, with its strange plants and creatures. As a primarily fantasy reader, I really enjoyed that aspect, though the story remains mostly a crime thriller once Cole and Bracken reach Byron.
I did think Byron needed a little more atmosphere, as it did not build as much tension as it could have. It had the makings of a classic horror-style small-town mystery with a sinister underbelly (in the form of a cult here). I do not know whether I simply consume too many stories of this kind or whether the book revealed too much too early, but I had figured out the central mystery by the first 20%. That said, the book does features great detective work and deductive reasoning from Cole, which are essential for me in a mystery. It is also the right length even as a novella, with steady pacing and a fully realized world.
Once again, Cole Blackstone is the highlight. He remains smart, grounded, and driven, even when pushed far outside his comfort zone as a city boy in a rural country town. His brotherly bond with Bracken is even more affecting here as he struggles to accept the changes and implications of Bracken’s illness. I cannot wait to see where the story goes next. I need a good prognosis for Bracken, if only for Cole’s sake.
The Dead Don’t Lie is an engaging sequel with strong character work, satisfying detective elements, and an intriguing expansion of its world.
*Thank you to the author for providing me an ebook for the book tour.
The Dead Don’t Lie the second novella in the crime-noir series The Blackstone Files. Ex-cop-turned-PI Cole Blackstone with his best friend Bracken Hart are sent out to the lakeside town of Byron, where a series of young people have gone missing. To get there, they must first journey through the Wild where danger lurks everywhere. And once in Byron, Cole must rely on his wits and cunning as Bracken’s health declines and the town’s dark secrets are brought to light.
I liked this one slightly more than the first book. Although the series is set in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic world that has rejected technology, New York Minute was a fairly straightforward crime-noir thriller. This second installment introduces a much stronger sci-fi-fantasy element as the story moves beyond New York City. This is especially apparent during the journey through the Wild, with its strange plants and creatures. As a primarily fantasy reader, I really enjoyed that aspect, though the story remains mostly a crime thriller once Cole and Bracken reach Byron.
I did think Byron needed a little more atmosphere, as it did not build as much tension as it could have. It had the makings of a classic horror-style small-town mystery with a sinister underbelly (in the form of a cult here). I do not know whether I simply consume too many stories of this kind or whether the book revealed too much too early, but I had figured out the central mystery by the first 20%. That said, the book does features great detective work and deductive reasoning from Cole, which are essential for me in a mystery. It is also the right length even as a novella, with steady pacing and a fully realized world.
Once again, Cole Blackstone is the highlight. He remains smart, grounded, and driven, even when pushed far outside his comfort zone as a city boy in a rural country town. His brotherly bond with Bracken is even more affecting here as he struggles to accept the changes and implications of Bracken’s illness. I cannot wait to see where the story goes next. I need a good prognosis for Bracken, if only for Cole’s sake.
The Dead Don’t Lie is an engaging sequel with strong character work, satisfying detective elements, and an intriguing expansion of its world.
*Thank you to the author for providing me an ebook for the book tour.
July 11, 2026
3.5 stars. Solid continuation of the series. Missed the setting of the previous novel, but quite liked this one as a contrast. Great series to read in between longer novels.
July 31, 2026
‘Bracken always told me not to think in straight lines, because the distance between two points could be a mile ‘apart or only a single step in the right direction.’
The Dead Don’t Lie was a very different experience from its predecessor, although you could see the bones of the first book in it, and I like how Cole and Bracken are almost the ambassadors carrying that foundation out into the wider world. The worldbuilding especially expanded in this one, and The Wild which had seemed like a looming, distant thing when we were caught in the vents of the city, was very much a living, breathing thing here; and there was very much a feeling of the known and unknown walking hand in hand, especially because we were seeing through the eyes of someone who didn’t know the wild. It was also a very alluring world, imagining a reclaimed wild-scape and the beasts that would fill it, and especially when we reached Byron and saw the methods they had adapted to deal with the Wild and its threats, it offers that fascinating view of how people survive when they are no longer the dominant ones.
Byron itself immediately established itself as very different from New York, not least because of that delicately balanced relationship with the Wild, but because whereas New York was a broad tapestry against which the story played out. The story and the tapestry were a lot more entwined, because this wasn’t a place you could lose yourself in, and the small town vibes were very well done. I also really enjoyed the bits and pieces about the trade and local economy that were dropped in, and the relationship between settlements like this and New York – and it was funny to realise that like Cole, I had never considered that in New York Minute – but also very much kept the feeling of this world stretching beyond what we are experiencing. I also liked how society itself had adapted away from the city, with the folklore and traditions bleeding from that, but also, with regards to religion and how there was a much greater, albeit subtle freedom here, an understanding that sometimes it’s better to look the other way in order to maintain a greater peace.
I also very much enjoyed the parallel of the two sides being out of their depths. On the one hand we had Cole very much out of his usual environment in the Wild, and I very much liked how that was established during the journey to Byron – the mistakes, the tension, the newness bleeding into fear (I was also very much a fan of Turnip!); but also shown though how he saw Byron, so different from the city he was used to, with habits that seemed foreign because of that past experience. On the other hand, we had Byron and its residents, used to life on the edge of the Wild and all the dangers that wrought, now facing a completely different threat, one that left them out of their depth and needing that outside help. Needing someone like Cole who had already seen a lot of the worst that people could do. It was two worlds colliding in the same horrific circumstances, and it made for an interesting partnership, with the flavouring of the usual jabs about city folk in the country, and the antagonism of not wanting outside help, poured into the melting pot of a situation where very few could be trusted.
Aryan captured the delicate balance of having to work with the locals, with people who were possibly involved, while also suspecting everyone very well. It was a quiet, understated tension in every interaction, that ran counterpoint to the suspicions playing out directly on the page and it felt like you had to question every interaction, every relationship. I particularly enjoyed how this was further played with through Cole’s manoeuvring of those he did choose to work with, the manipulation of friend and foe alike. And it was further heightened by the fact that Bracken, the one person he could unquestionably trust was fighting his own fight and the deterioration his condition was hard to see, and the emotional ripples that came from that were very well done for both of them.
The mystery itself was beautifully done, and I loved the blend of crime and almost folk horror as details began to unfold; especially with how it tied in with the history of Byron and its people, and local traditions. I also liked how the suspicions bounced, which along with how Cole was working, meant that I was suspicious of nearly everyone all the way through – even to the very end and the climax of the hunt, I kept waiting, because these were murky waters indeed. The conclusion of the investigation itself had me on the edge of my seat to the very end, and I really liked that everything had built up to the point where you were questioning if something was going to happen, with Aryan really held that note of ‘what if’ to the perfect point.
One thing that did throw me slightly out of the story was the ending. It felt very much like it came from left field, perhaps because I was so focused on Bracken and what was happening with him and hoping they would get to New Jersey to see his daughters. At the same time, it cast us very firmly into an element of the world that we’ve only scratched the surface off, and the final twist did get me, as does the promise of more to come in the world. It was just a little jarring against where the story had been.
Overall, The Dead Don’t Lie was for me a step up from New York Minute which I had enjoyed thoroughly. The expanded worldbuilding, especially of the Wild was fantastic and honestly, I would have been happy to read an entire book of Cole and Bracken’s mishaps on the road; and the elements of folk horror, combined with some very well done detective work made for an incredibly compelling story and it was just a delight to spend more time with Cole and Bracken (I will throw hands if anything happens to Bracken though!). A fantastic read that I would highly recommend, and I will eagerly be waiting for more instalments in the Blackstone Files.
The Dead Don’t Lie was a very different experience from its predecessor, although you could see the bones of the first book in it, and I like how Cole and Bracken are almost the ambassadors carrying that foundation out into the wider world. The worldbuilding especially expanded in this one, and The Wild which had seemed like a looming, distant thing when we were caught in the vents of the city, was very much a living, breathing thing here; and there was very much a feeling of the known and unknown walking hand in hand, especially because we were seeing through the eyes of someone who didn’t know the wild. It was also a very alluring world, imagining a reclaimed wild-scape and the beasts that would fill it, and especially when we reached Byron and saw the methods they had adapted to deal with the Wild and its threats, it offers that fascinating view of how people survive when they are no longer the dominant ones.
Byron itself immediately established itself as very different from New York, not least because of that delicately balanced relationship with the Wild, but because whereas New York was a broad tapestry against which the story played out. The story and the tapestry were a lot more entwined, because this wasn’t a place you could lose yourself in, and the small town vibes were very well done. I also really enjoyed the bits and pieces about the trade and local economy that were dropped in, and the relationship between settlements like this and New York – and it was funny to realise that like Cole, I had never considered that in New York Minute – but also very much kept the feeling of this world stretching beyond what we are experiencing. I also liked how society itself had adapted away from the city, with the folklore and traditions bleeding from that, but also, with regards to religion and how there was a much greater, albeit subtle freedom here, an understanding that sometimes it’s better to look the other way in order to maintain a greater peace.
I also very much enjoyed the parallel of the two sides being out of their depths. On the one hand we had Cole very much out of his usual environment in the Wild, and I very much liked how that was established during the journey to Byron – the mistakes, the tension, the newness bleeding into fear (I was also very much a fan of Turnip!); but also shown though how he saw Byron, so different from the city he was used to, with habits that seemed foreign because of that past experience. On the other hand, we had Byron and its residents, used to life on the edge of the Wild and all the dangers that wrought, now facing a completely different threat, one that left them out of their depth and needing that outside help. Needing someone like Cole who had already seen a lot of the worst that people could do. It was two worlds colliding in the same horrific circumstances, and it made for an interesting partnership, with the flavouring of the usual jabs about city folk in the country, and the antagonism of not wanting outside help, poured into the melting pot of a situation where very few could be trusted.
Aryan captured the delicate balance of having to work with the locals, with people who were possibly involved, while also suspecting everyone very well. It was a quiet, understated tension in every interaction, that ran counterpoint to the suspicions playing out directly on the page and it felt like you had to question every interaction, every relationship. I particularly enjoyed how this was further played with through Cole’s manoeuvring of those he did choose to work with, the manipulation of friend and foe alike. And it was further heightened by the fact that Bracken, the one person he could unquestionably trust was fighting his own fight and the deterioration his condition was hard to see, and the emotional ripples that came from that were very well done for both of them.
The mystery itself was beautifully done, and I loved the blend of crime and almost folk horror as details began to unfold; especially with how it tied in with the history of Byron and its people, and local traditions. I also liked how the suspicions bounced, which along with how Cole was working, meant that I was suspicious of nearly everyone all the way through – even to the very end and the climax of the hunt, I kept waiting, because these were murky waters indeed. The conclusion of the investigation itself had me on the edge of my seat to the very end, and I really liked that everything had built up to the point where you were questioning if something was going to happen, with Aryan really held that note of ‘what if’ to the perfect point.
One thing that did throw me slightly out of the story was the ending. It felt very much like it came from left field, perhaps because I was so focused on Bracken and what was happening with him and hoping they would get to New Jersey to see his daughters. At the same time, it cast us very firmly into an element of the world that we’ve only scratched the surface off, and the final twist did get me, as does the promise of more to come in the world. It was just a little jarring against where the story had been.
Overall, The Dead Don’t Lie was for me a step up from New York Minute which I had enjoyed thoroughly. The expanded worldbuilding, especially of the Wild was fantastic and honestly, I would have been happy to read an entire book of Cole and Bracken’s mishaps on the road; and the elements of folk horror, combined with some very well done detective work made for an incredibly compelling story and it was just a delight to spend more time with Cole and Bracken (I will throw hands if anything happens to Bracken though!). A fantastic read that I would highly recommend, and I will eagerly be waiting for more instalments in the Blackstone Files.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My rating is 4.25
This Noir Fantasy Mystery story is the second in the Blackstone Files.
We pick up Cole and Bracken as they make their way out of NYC, not by choice, and on their way to a small town out in the Wilds. The change of scenery is terrific since we get to see Cole out of his comfort zone and into situations where he has no frame of reference. When he tries to figure out the animals it's hilarious, but the journey is fraught with danger. All is not so funny when Cole and his brother in arms Bracken get to the town of Byron to investigate missing kids. Something in the town is rotten and it will take everything the duo has to figure out what it is. Bracken's battle with the Slate is a story arc that has my whole heart. The thread of sorrow woven through the novel shows what a terrific writer Stephen is.
I love this world and can't wait to see what happens next.
Thank you to Stephen Aryan for this opportunity to read and review. My thoughts are my own.
This Noir Fantasy Mystery story is the second in the Blackstone Files.
We pick up Cole and Bracken as they make their way out of NYC, not by choice, and on their way to a small town out in the Wilds. The change of scenery is terrific since we get to see Cole out of his comfort zone and into situations where he has no frame of reference. When he tries to figure out the animals it's hilarious, but the journey is fraught with danger. All is not so funny when Cole and his brother in arms Bracken get to the town of Byron to investigate missing kids. Something in the town is rotten and it will take everything the duo has to figure out what it is. Bracken's battle with the Slate is a story arc that has my whole heart. The thread of sorrow woven through the novel shows what a terrific writer Stephen is.
I love this world and can't wait to see what happens next.
Thank you to Stephen Aryan for this opportunity to read and review. My thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Based on an ARC provided by the author.
Stephen Aryan delivers again! This is the sequel to New York Minute, a 2024 novella that kicked of the noir sci-fi genre blend of The Blackstone Files. That novella introduced the world, and our protagonist Cole Blackstone (former police, now private investigator) and his best friend and support Bracken Hart. It was a thrill ride, ended with a bang, and say these two friends off on a new mission out beyond the Wild (the untamed, dangerous, alien lands beyond the big city).
THIS novel picks up immediately where the novella left off, and gives us the story of this new mission. Again, fantastic writing, excellent narrative mystery tale, intense action, and a satisfying conclusion. Although... this one leaves us right at the end with NEW mysteries, making us VERY much expectant that Aryan get busy on book 3! Great read, highly recommend.
Link to my video review: https://youtu.be/1ItEbNW1i8Y
Stephen Aryan delivers again! This is the sequel to New York Minute, a 2024 novella that kicked of the noir sci-fi genre blend of The Blackstone Files. That novella introduced the world, and our protagonist Cole Blackstone (former police, now private investigator) and his best friend and support Bracken Hart. It was a thrill ride, ended with a bang, and say these two friends off on a new mission out beyond the Wild (the untamed, dangerous, alien lands beyond the big city).
THIS novel picks up immediately where the novella left off, and gives us the story of this new mission. Again, fantastic writing, excellent narrative mystery tale, intense action, and a satisfying conclusion. Although... this one leaves us right at the end with NEW mysteries, making us VERY much expectant that Aryan get busy on book 3! Great read, highly recommend.
Link to my video review: https://youtu.be/1ItEbNW1i8Y
Review of advance copy received from Author
Picking up right after the events of book one, The Dead Don't Lie follows Cole and his best friend Bracken as they escape the city into the Wild. Cole has been asked to help out in a case in the remote town of Byron, where young people are seemingly going missing. When they arrive, they find a town full of secrets, and as Bracken's health begins to deteriorate, Cole doesn't know who he can trust. Can they unravel the mystery at the heart of Bryon before the next disappearance?
I thoroughly enjoyed New York Minute, so I was very excited to get back to this compelling world. In this instalment, we venture into the Wilds, and I was completely fascinated by all the strange, nightmarish monsters Cole and Bracken come across. I thought the small town setting of Byron worked really well in this story, particularly as the tension mounted up and the mystery unraveled. Cole and Bracken are very much outsiders in this small town, and people are reluctant to trust them.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this installment is the relationship between Cole and Bracken. They've been friends for a long time, but Bracken's health is steadily declining, and it was really compelling seeing Cole attempt to navigate supporting his friend whilst also working on the investigation. The dynamics between the two are so well crafted, and Aryan does a brilliant job of combining a gripping plot with complex characters.
Overall, The Dead Don't Lie is a brilliant, gripping sequel, so if you've read book one or you're in the mood for a sci-fi noir series to dive into, this one is highly recommended, and I very much look forward to the release of book three.
I thoroughly enjoyed New York Minute, so I was very excited to get back to this compelling world. In this instalment, we venture into the Wilds, and I was completely fascinated by all the strange, nightmarish monsters Cole and Bracken come across. I thought the small town setting of Byron worked really well in this story, particularly as the tension mounted up and the mystery unraveled. Cole and Bracken are very much outsiders in this small town, and people are reluctant to trust them.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this installment is the relationship between Cole and Bracken. They've been friends for a long time, but Bracken's health is steadily declining, and it was really compelling seeing Cole attempt to navigate supporting his friend whilst also working on the investigation. The dynamics between the two are so well crafted, and Aryan does a brilliant job of combining a gripping plot with complex characters.
Overall, The Dead Don't Lie is a brilliant, gripping sequel, so if you've read book one or you're in the mood for a sci-fi noir series to dive into, this one is highly recommended, and I very much look forward to the release of book three.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Dead Don't Lie picks up immediately where New York Minute left off, but this time Cole Blackstone and his ever-reliable best friend Bracken Hart trade the dangerous streets of their alternate New York City for something altogether different, a harrowing journey through the Wild, a savage and nightmarish wilderness, to reach the lakeside town of Byron. Young people are going missing, the local authorities are at a dead end, and Cole is the only one left to figure out what Byron's idyllic surface is hiding.
This is the perfect second entry. Everything that made book one so compelling is here, the gritty atmosphere, the sharp pacing, the effortlessly engaging mystery. But Aryan keeps things feeling fresh and exciting by shifting the tone of the crime completely. Byron couldn't be further from New York in look and feel, and that contrast works beautifully. Same duo but an entirely different danger.
The mystery itself is wonderfully constructed. There are just enough red herrings to keep you second-guessing right up until the end, and the twists land with real impact. I was never fully confident how this was going to resolve, and that is exactly how a mystery should feel.
But what elevated this above book one for me is the heart of it. The relationship between Cole and Bracken. Watching Cole grapple with Bracken's failing health, seeing how much he depends on this man and how deeply it affects him to watch him slip away, was genuinely moving. Aryan handles it with real tenderness and care, and it adds an emotional weight to proceedings that I wasn't fully expecting. I am completely and utterly invested in these two.
And then that ending. I did not see it coming. I had thoughts about where book three might go, and I was wrong. Whatever is next for the Blackstone Files has the potential to be something truly special.
One final and very personal note, I am so proud and grateful to have designed the cover for this book, and to have given New York Minute a fresh new look alongside it. Thank you to Stephen for trusting me with something so special.
This is the perfect second entry. Everything that made book one so compelling is here, the gritty atmosphere, the sharp pacing, the effortlessly engaging mystery. But Aryan keeps things feeling fresh and exciting by shifting the tone of the crime completely. Byron couldn't be further from New York in look and feel, and that contrast works beautifully. Same duo but an entirely different danger.
The mystery itself is wonderfully constructed. There are just enough red herrings to keep you second-guessing right up until the end, and the twists land with real impact. I was never fully confident how this was going to resolve, and that is exactly how a mystery should feel.
But what elevated this above book one for me is the heart of it. The relationship between Cole and Bracken. Watching Cole grapple with Bracken's failing health, seeing how much he depends on this man and how deeply it affects him to watch him slip away, was genuinely moving. Aryan handles it with real tenderness and care, and it adds an emotional weight to proceedings that I wasn't fully expecting. I am completely and utterly invested in these two.
And then that ending. I did not see it coming. I had thoughts about where book three might go, and I was wrong. Whatever is next for the Blackstone Files has the potential to be something truly special.
One final and very personal note, I am so proud and grateful to have designed the cover for this book, and to have given New York Minute a fresh new look alongside it. Thank you to Stephen for trusting me with something so special.
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