Black Maps

By: Peter Spiegelman

Narrated by: Scott Brick

The stronghold of white-collar crime in the rarefied world of high finance–this is the setting for Peter Spiegelman's edgy, suspenseful, sharply-honed debut novel.

At the center: John March, who walked away from his family's venerable merchant bank for the life of a rural deputy sheriff–a life that would explode in personal tragedy and professional disaster. Three years later, he's back in Manhattan, working as a PI and running from his grief and the expectations of his wealthy family.

March takes the case of Rick Pierro, a self-made man who has everything–and who's in danger of losing it all. An anonymous, poisonous threat has implicated him in a vast money-laundering scheme already under investigation by the feds.

March's own investigation uncovers a blood-stained paper trail that leads him deep into the lives of both insiders and outcasts on the street. He discovers that his client may be the latest victim of a serial extortionist diabolically adept at psychological and physical intimidation, but the more March learns the more questions he has about Pierro, his wife, and the secrets hidden beneath the glossy surfaces of their lives. And the more he begins to fear that his own blood will be added to the trail before the case is closed.

With its headlong narrative, quick, incisive language, and brilliantly clarified details of finance–the legal and the illegal–Black Maps is a stunning first novel.©2003 Peter Spiegelman; (P)2003 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Spiegelman knows where the bodies are buried and he knows how to write. Impressive.”– Jonathan Kellerman

"John March is one of the most intriguing new P.I.s to come along in quite some time."- Publishers Weekly

"A stunner... [It] keeps readers in the dark until the very last page. Suspenseful narrative, superb characters, and a prevailing atmosphere of Chandler-esque melancholy. . .to ask for more in a mystery would be criminal.”– Newsday

“A first-rate thriller from a first-rate novelist.” --Rocky Mountain News

“Spiegelman has a fine eye for the details of Manhattan corporate life . . . An important and facinating book.” --Chicago Tribune


"Engrossing... from the first growls of its take-no-prisoners narrator, all the way to the vivid financial details that only an insider can deliver."- Brad Meltzer

Excellent novel

Scott Brick is an outstanding reader, so I'll listen to almost anything he reads. I was surprised and pleased with how much I liked this book. The suspense and plot development are excellent, and unlike another reviewer, I thought the various descriptions in the book added texture and substance to the story. I would compare this book favorably to Chasing the Dime by Michael Connelly.

Good Listen

I liked John March and I thought the narrator was good overall, but he did tend to make some of his characters sound a little too much alike which then made the story line a little more difficult to follow.

I would listen again to this author to follow John March and see if he is a character that I would continue to care about.

Only 3 stars because I have nothing to compare it to.

Peter at his best

I've read 3 now. Dr Knox is my favorite because I was an ER doctor. But I really like John March (not Marsh). I thought a financial / legal / criminal story line might be boring or too technical. But it was not in the least. It was riveting. I do hope that John has time to rest and heal now that I have finished this volume!

Good first effort

The book review said this was the author's first effort and it was well done. Good story line with lots of plot twists and turns and sustained action. The main character was generally believable and not the run of the mill cop turned PI. I was a little put off by the author's desire to describe everyone's clothes with enough detail that it made me think they mattered. I finally decided that since this was his first effort in this genre he may have kept a day job in a clothing store.

I will give him another try and hope he decides to focus a little less on aimless description. The character is good and can be further developed and the author knows how to tell a story.

Mixed Reaction

I usually choose male authors for the simple reason that women have a tendency to overdo their description. Part of the enjoyment of listening is using one's imagination to create scenes and characters in the mind. This author was able to sustain my interest with the intricate plot, but he described in minute detail every interior, article of clothing, and physical characteristic. Even in the most dire circumstances and exciting action, he stopped to mention what everyone was wearing. If this is a first novel, I certainly hope Mr. Speigleman writes more books, but learns to leave something for the listener to visualize.