The Labyrinth in Winter

By Michael Jeffery Blair

"A rich, intriguing and nuanced novel - intense, insightful and authentic."

A body floating in the Harlem River. A phone call asking for help. A call that leads government lawyer Devlin Wolfe into the murky world of dark money and Wall Street, and behind the scenes of the glittering Metropolitan Opera where everything is seemingly linked together - the murder of a top financial figure, the laundering of illegal funds into a political campaign and two otherworldly divas battling it out for supremacy in a new production the press has taken to calling the "Haunted Aida.

Against the setting of the coldest Manhattan winter anyone could remember, so cold that snowflakes scattered like dust and didn't even melt in the full light of day, Devlin Wolfe must find answers.

"The rarified worlds of high finance and grand opera collide in this complex murder mystery...Michael Jeffery Blair, the author of Sudden Rivers (2014), writes a novel that exudes a palpable rage against dark money and ruthless puppet masters in pursuit of power. A worthwhile investment for those interested in whodunits, social justice, and the work of Giuseppe Verdi." - Kirkus Review

"Blair's novel features twin plotlines that are exciting and feel wholly original. His prose is vivid and lyrical while characters are expertly drawn and multidimensional. Readers will tear through 'The Labyrinth in Winter' to learn more about their relationships and origins. The author is particularly adept at describing the beauty and importance of art." - Book Life/Publishers Weekly

"A dead body found leads Devlin on a hunt for the murderer, shrouded in enigma. With a stabbing intensity and glowering atmosphere, this is a crime novel with huge attitude. An atmospheric tale built on strong characterization. Highly recommended." - Lynn Beck / The Washington Post

"A body in the Harlem River, dark money running through Manhattan power circles, and two operatic divas turning Verdi into a battleground. The Labyrinth in Winter thrives on that sharp collision where menace, art, and moral outrage overlap. That blend of literary crime, social critique, and dry, intelligent humor is exactly why your novel stood out to me. It uses wit and irony to expose power, corruption, and ego, which is a hallmark of your storytelling voice. Thank you for writing a novel that isn't afraid to let rage, art, and dark humor share the same cold Manhattan winter." - Cately Julliet / Goodreads.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 098948968X
• ISBN13: 9780989489683
• Release Date: March 2020
• Publisher: Novabook Publishing
• Length: 348 Pages
• Weight: 1.03 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"