Blind Moon Alley: A Jersey Leo Novel

Florio’s compelling second Prohibition-era mystery finds Jersey Leo, the mixed-race albino who was the unlikely hero of Sugar Pop Moon (2013), back in Philly, tending bar in a speakeasy known as the Ink Well. Life is smooth until a childhood friend, Aaron Garvey, asks Leo to visit him on death row the night before he’s due to be executed for murder. When Garvey explains he was framed, Leo agrees to help. Meanwhile, Leo has to protect the Ink Well, and stay out of the hands of dirty cop Jack Reeger, who wants to execute Garvey personally. Old crush Myra Banks joins Leo as he, his ex-boxing champion father, and a group of loyal friends fight to win this dangerous game. Florio has an unerring feel for the era and people, and we believe in these characters. Readers will cheer for Leo, a tough guy with a heart of hurt. Agent: Elizabeth Evans, Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency. (Aug.)