Fade to Clear

Allen Choice #3

by Leonard Chang

In this new installment, Allen Choice, now a full partner at Baxter & Choice Investigations, finds his life in upheaval by the reappearance of his ex-lover Linda. Over the objections of his current girlfriend Serena, Allen reluctantly takes on the case of finding Linda's niece, who was abducted by her father in a bitter divorce battle.

Fade to Clear is Leonard Chang's most electrifying and riveting crime novel, following the critically-acclaimed successes of Underkill and Over the Shoulder.

As Allen delves deeper into the investigation, unearthing links to drug smuggling and money laundering, he becomes the target of larger, deadlier forces that strike a tragic blow. In the wake of personal loss, he compels himself forward in this perilous case and at the same time makes profound decisions that will reverberate throughout his life.

Once again, Chang weaves a masterful tale that is as much an edgy, fast-paced mystery as it is a deep look into the complex interior life of Allen Choice, a fallible and human character who is quickly becoming a truly memorable name in the world of noir.

Genres: Mystery

336 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: Choice finds life in upheaval by the reappearance of ex-lover Linda. He reluctantly agrees to find her niece, abducted in a bitter divorce.

[Rogue Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

A balanced and thoughtful protag who explores his life through the lens of Kierkegaard's philosophical writings. He's in a two-PI firm and gets into trouble thanks to the machinations of those he should trust least but trusts the most. The Korean heritage gives a beautiful slant to the character and the narrative. This one's my first, but I'll find the others.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third Allen Choice mystery is the best yet. I'm so glad I discovered these books and gave them a try. If you haven't read these yet, you've got some pleasant reading waiting for you. Choice is a great character, easy to identify with. You want the best for him, even when it looks like things can't possibly work out. He knows he should be paying more attention to his current girlfriend, Serena, but can't help himself when former girlfriend, Linda, featured in the previous two novels, comes looking for his help in finding her niece, kidnapped by her estranged father during a custody dispute. Linda seems to have some sort of hold over him, yet the more he thinks about it, the more he realizes how much he loves Serena and that he wants to be with her.

Allen is an introspective, lonely guy, who is quietly becoming something of a success in his chosen profession of private detective. Yet he still finds it hard to fathom other people and he hasn't quite figured out why Serena keeps getting so mad at him during his investigation. There's a philosophical undercurrent running through things, too, as Allen keeps coming back to the Kierkegaard he's been reading and trying to fit it into his everyday life.

There are some dangerous bad guys at work, and bad things happen to the people he cares about, but Allen is ultimately able to solve the mystery and make a real step forward in his relationship with Serena. Here's hoping this series lasts a long and satisfying time. Highly recommended!

[Mosker]

(See my Underkill remarks) This is a better book. Chang is in more control of the action scenes and has a much, much better grasp of knowing how much detail from the previous book he needs to give readers and how often to repeat it. Underkill beat us over the head with the previous novel (which I did not read).

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The personal entanglements and confusions, especially over love, are mixed with a page-turning mystery--and a good dose of Kierkegaard that got me thinking--then there is a lot of running and working out and well, just more Allen Choice, please.

[Marsha]

NPR. detective mystery or thriller. part of a series --