Magic City Blues

When low-level legbreaker Kincaid takes on a new assignment, he discovers it’s not really a step up – it’s a setup. The deal was supposed to be this: Protect Abby Doyle, the daughter of Birmingham, Alabama’s most dangerous crime lord. But when Abby’s fiancé is found murdered, Kincaid is forced to team up with BPD detective Laura D’Agostino to find the killer and protect Abby at all costs … even from her own father.

“A twisty, propulsive read led by a witty, compelling narrator. I couldn’t put it down!”

–Cassandra Rose Clarke, author of The Mad Scientist’s Daughter

“The action comes early and often in Magic City Blues and the energy of this spellbinding novel cannot be denied. Bobby Mathews is a first-rate writer point blank and the crime poet laureate of Birmingham. A master craftsman of new-south noir, who deftly balances crackling dialogue, sly humor, grit and tenderness with smart and wily plotting paired with hard-boiled suspense and the kind of complicated (anti) hero in Kincaid we can all get behind. Somewhere at the great poker game in the sky, Donald Westlake, Robert Parker and James Crumley are raising a glass to Magic City Blues … as should we all.”

–Peter Farris, award-winning author of The Devil Himself

“Magic City Blues is a straight shot of classic crime fiction reminiscent of Donald Westlake and Robert B. Parker. With one-liners galore, and sharp, punchy writing, Bobby Mathews’ latest novel is not to be missed!”

–Eli Cranor, author of Don’t Know Tough

“Calling back to the best of Robert B. Parker with a wit that reminded me of Gregory MacDonald, Bobby Mathews introduces two great characters in his page-turner Magic City Blues. The first is veteran-turned-low-level-street-thug Kincaid, and the second is the city of Birmingham, Alabama, a city that has deserved its time as a worthy crime-fiction locale. It’s a city of barbecue and soul food, of racism and gentrification, of power and money and secrets – the perfect setting for what will hopefully be an ongoing series of novels.”

–Jordan Harper, Edgar-winning author of Everybody Knows

“Magic City Blues by Bobby Mathews is a down and dirty exaltation of what I love best about crime fiction. Bad people doing bad things for what they think are the right reasons. Bobby has written a fantastic book.”

–S.A. Cosby, New York Times bestselling author of Razorblade Tears

“Magic City Blues is a slick, fast-moving crime novel that fans of Robert B. Parker and Donald Westlake will want to get their hands on. Murder, blackmail, romance-this story has it all. With just the perfect mix of brawn and brains, bodyguard-for-hire Kincaid is a narrator you won’t soon forget as he navigates the seedy underbelly of Birmingham, dealing out ass-kicking justice and wit in equal manner. Bobby Mathews pulls no punches with this burner.”

–Scott Blackburn, author of It Dies With You