''The writing throws sparks, and the ferocious plot peels back layer after layer of Frank''s character as we - and he - find out how much of his humanity is still left'' Tana French''A gripping, authentic tale (the author is an ex-cop) of a man''s journey into the heart of darkness that will appeal to fans of The Wire'' ShortlistHe''s a good detective... with a bad habit.Frank Marr may be a decorated former cop and an excellent private investigator, but Washington DC doesn''t know his dirty secret.Frank has managed to keep his drug habit hidden. But after accidentally rescuing a kidnapped teenage girl, he''s thrust into the spotlight. Reluctantly, he agrees to investigate another - possibly connected - disappearance, all the time knowing that the heightened scrutiny may expose him...The Second Girl is a raw, real and incredible thriller from a former DC Major Crimes detective.

David Swinson returns with a thrillingly dark novel, featuring Frank Marr, ''a masterly piece of characterisation.'' (Tana French)Frank Marr was a good cop with a bad habit. Now forced to retire from the Washington D.C police, he scrapes a living as a private investigator. His latest case is personal - Frank''s cousin Jeffrey is involved with a drugs operation. But when Jeffery''s body is turns up in Frank''s house, it''s clear he was in deeper than anyone realized. Stolen from the scene are Frank''s revolver - the murder weapon - and his cherished music collection. With his reputation on the line, Frank is as determined to uncover the truth as he is to feed his habit, and both pursuits could prove deadly.

He''s a good detective... with a bad habit.''A down-and-dirty thriller with real heart from an author who knows what he''s talking about. This is firmly in George Pelecanos territory and it doesn''t get much better than that.'' Mark Billingham on THE SECOND GIRLFrank Marr was a good cop, until his burgeoning addictions forced him into retirement from the Washington D.C. police. Now, he''s barely eking out a living as a private investigator.Ostracized by his family after a botched case that led to the death of his cousin, Frank is now clean. He passes the time by robbing the houses of local dealers, taking their cash and flushing their drugs down the toilet. But when an old friend from the police needs his help, Frank is drawn back into the world of dirty cops and suspicious drug busts.Never one to play by the rules, Frank recruits a young man he nearly executed years before. Together, detective and criminal charge headfirst into the D.C. drug wars. Will either make it out?Praise for David Swinson:''David Swinson pulls off a masterly piece of characterization...The writing throws sparks, and the ferocious plot peels back layer after layer of Frank''s character as we - and he - find out how much of his humanity is still left.'' Tana French''A gripping, authentic tale (the author is an ex-cop) of a man''s journey into the heart of darkness that will appeal to fans of The Wire'' Shortlist''Frank Marr, the winningly debauched private investigator [is the] hero of this gritty thriller...A complex, vulnerable but brilliant creation, with a unique personal morality'' Crime Scene Magazine

''The writing throws sparks, and the ferocious plot peels back layer after layer of Frank''s character as we - and he - find out how much of his humanity is still left'' Tana French''A gripping, authentic tale (the author is an ex-cop) of a man''s journey into the heart of darkness that will appeal to fans of The Wire'' ShortlistHe''s a good detective... with a bad habit.Frank Marr may be a decorated former cop and an excellent private investigator, but Washington DC doesn''t know his dirty secret.Frank has managed to keep his drug habit hidden. But after accidentally rescuing a kidnapped teenage girl, he''s thrust into the spotlight. Reluctantly, he agrees to investigate another - possibly connected - disappearance, all the time knowing that the heightened scrutiny may expose him...The Second Girl is a raw, real and incredible thriller from a former DC Major Crimes detective.

David Swinson returns with a thrillingly dark novel, featuring Frank Marr, ''a masterly piece of characterisation.'' (Tana French)Frank Marr was a good cop with a bad habit. Now forced to retire from the Washington D.C police, he scrapes a living as a private investigator. His latest case is personal - Frank''s cousin Jeffrey is involved with a drugs operation. But when Jeffery''s body is turns up in Frank''s house, it''s clear he was in deeper than anyone realized. Stolen from the scene are Frank''s revolver - the murder weapon - and his cherished music collection. With his reputation on the line, Frank is as determined to uncover the truth as he is to feed his habit, and both pursuits could prove deadly.

He''s a good detective... with a bad habit.''A down-and-dirty thriller with real heart from an author who knows what he''s talking about. This is firmly in George Pelecanos territory and it doesn''t get much better than that.'' Mark Billingham on THE SECOND GIRLFrank Marr was a good cop, until his burgeoning addictions forced him into retirement from the Washington D.C. police. Now, he''s barely eking out a living as a private investigator.Ostracized by his family after a botched case that led to the death of his cousin, Frank is now clean. He passes the time by robbing the houses of local dealers, taking their cash and flushing their drugs down the toilet. But when an old friend from the police needs his help, Frank is drawn back into the world of dirty cops and suspicious drug busts.Never one to play by the rules, Frank recruits a young man he nearly executed years before. Together, detective and criminal charge headfirst into the D.C. drug wars. Will either make it out?Praise for David Swinson:''David Swinson pulls off a masterly piece of characterization...The writing throws sparks, and the ferocious plot peels back layer after layer of Frank''s character as we - and he - find out how much of his humanity is still left.'' Tana French''A gripping, authentic tale (the author is an ex-cop) of a man''s journey into the heart of darkness that will appeal to fans of The Wire'' Shortlist''Frank Marr, the winningly debauched private investigator [is the] hero of this gritty thriller...A complex, vulnerable but brilliant creation, with a unique personal morality'' Crime Scene Magazine