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Veteran Avenue

381 pages          ISBN: 978-1911583318

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First edition, published by Urbane in 2017. (No longer in print.)

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1978. On vacation from England, eight-year-old John Frears is befriended by a stranger in the Oregon wilderness and stolen away from his parents. After a bizarre hour spent in a log cabin, he is sent back with a picture of a young girl. 

2013. Since leaving the military, John Frears has been drifting, unable to settle. Then he gets word that a funeral is taking place in Los Angeles. Donnie Chester, fellow veteran of the first Gulf War, has been shot dead. They barely knew each other, 
but it's a good excuse to visit the States. He can pay his respects, then go sightseeing. It is a simple plan, in keeping with his life to date. 

But his life is about to become very complicated, as the mysterious event from his childhood returns to haunt him. Soon, the lives of total strangers will be meshed, and some will become mortal enemies.

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Veteran Avenue

347 pages         ISBN: 978-1914480799

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Updated second edition, published by Red Dog Press in 2021. (No longer in print.)

Praise for VETERAN AVENUE 

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"A terrific page turner." 

Oliver Holt, Chief Sports Writer for The Mail on Sunday

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“I truly envy the way Mark Pepper writes. It’s intellectual, literary but gritty as hell and he writes characters that are morally gray at times but who you can’t help rooting for. This is an example of dark crime fiction with heart. Huge heart. VA is a great mystery thriller and highly recommended. I loved every page.”

Stephen J. Golds, author

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"A superbly written thriller. Makes me want to read Mark Pepper's earlier novels. Veteran Avenue has great pace, and varied and convincing characters. The plot twists this way and that, and keeps you guessing. A most enjoyable read by a writer clearly in his prime."

Mark Mayes, author 

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"From the outset I found this believable (even when it’s unbelievable), cleverly written and with clear but not obtrusive wit. No point in spoiling the plot for you, but praise for this book is underdone. For instance on the cover Time Out are quoted as saying ‘Mark Pepper is a writer to watch’ – maybe, but more to the point, he’s definitely one to read."

Lloyd Pettiford, author

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"A fast-paced, suspense thriller with some unexpected twists. Along with the suspense Pepper adds some humor and romance to give it some balance, which worked well."

NetGalley

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Excerpts from Amazon reviews

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"If ever there was a book destined to be made into a movie it's this one... Entertaining, intriguing, full of tension, suspenseful with excellent solid characters, I thoroughly enjoyed this impressive story and really felt bereft when I'd finished reading it, I so wanted to just keep on reading and reading!... I can't believe this has been sitting on my bookshelf for so long unread, but now i have read it I can't shout about it enough, you MUST READ this incredible book! I really want this book to reach as many readers as possible it's THAT good!"

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"Veteran Avenue is SO SO good. I really wanted to do a review that would do it justice without releasing any spoilers, so I went for a minimalist approach. This is a book that defies genre and will burst out of any box you try to put it in. Whatever your usual genre, you will love Veteran Avenue as it has a bit of everything from the military to romance with a sprinkling of the unexpected... If you're looking for something different to read: look no further! I wholeheartedly recommend Veteran Avenue to readers of any genre. It's a book that you will remember long after turning the final page; I know I will never forget it and it deserves every single one of the five stars I have awarded it."

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"Mark Pepper’s action packed thriller [is] almost Raymond Chandler-esq… The novel’s whole cast of characters are interesting and varied, with strong dialogue that makes this a really easy book to devour. The story is punchy and fast paced… With its quick witted dialogue, engaging characters and well-driven narrative, Veteran Avenue is a great thriller that readers will struggle to put down. I found myself on the verge of reading it again once I’d finished, as I was so entranced by Pepper’s portrayal of John’s adventures."

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"Loved "Veteran Avenue" for where it took me. If you were to pull on an unexplored thread from your past, where would it lead - somewhere wonderful? Somewhere dangerous? This outstanding novel follows one such journey of discovery. At the center is a love story, wrapped in mystery, bound in suspense, packed with action. The writing is vivid, the characters are sharply drawn, the dialogue is real and full of ironic humor, and the story is tightly woven together. Beneath it all I perceived an undercurrent of commentary on the violence of American life. So well conceived and written, so thoroughly enjoyable."

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Excerpts from GoodReads reviews

 

"The thing that I loved about this book is that from the first page I was totally gripped. After reading a few not so great books, this finally reignited my love of reading. I feel that Mark Pepper (who is definitely going on my 'to read' list) creates characters that you are familiar with and you get a sense of without him explicitly pointing out the good and bad traits... I loved this book and I would definitely recommend it. "

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"I saved this as my holiday read and was hooked, the only time it left my hands was when my grumbly tum indicated that I needed to eat. There are some great twists and turns and just when you think you know where the story is going, Mark Pepper makes you hit the next bend at 100mph.... in another direction. Very, very entertaining read, highly recommended."

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