A Past Without Pictures

“Written in brilliant clear prose with stunning details and insight, A Past Without Pictures is yet another wonderful novel from Jonathan Ames. There is a sensitivity and poignancy underlying the off-book investigation by an LAPD detective whose ex-con father was murdered in the deep south. With each book Mr. Ames pushes himself farther and the result is a rich body of work. I look forward to each one, especially the next.”

“Spare but potent . . . Ames’s disaffected style infuses the proceedings with a deep sadness that elevates it from bog-standard crime fiction to something headier and more emotionally wounding. This will enchant both the author’s existing fans and thriller readers looking for something off the beaten path.”

“Perfect for fans of S. A. Cosby and other writers of Southern noir: it has beautifully drawn characters, a real-feeling setting, pitch-perfect dialogue, and a story that keeps the reader in a constant state of apprehension.”

“A quicksilver family reckoning whose epiphanies arrive in the form of felonies.”

“Ames is an adept purveyor of the very noir, particular scenes of violence. He achieves more in less than 100 pages than most crime novels three times the length do.”

“A striking and powerful noir debut that can be consumed in a single sitting. . . . Ames reveals himself here as a stylish thriller writer.”

“Smart, sharp, and stylish noir for the modern day.”

“Ames is a master of blending humor, pathos, and grit.”