Tracy Clark’s Chicago Mystery Navigates the Dark Side of Celebrity in “What You Don’t See”

In this episode 189, we visit with Tracy Clark, the award-winning author of “What You Don’t See,” the third in the Chicago Mysteries series featuring Cass Raines, an ex-cop turned private investigator.

Ben Mickerson, Cass Raine’s former partner from the force, convinces her to take on a security detail for the famous Vonda Allen, a one-woman media empire and rumored diva. Vonda has been receiving angry, threatening notes and flowers, but her need for control, obsession with her brand image, and overall nasty personality prove difficult. When one of her employees is murdered, Cass Raines’ investigative mind takes over.

In a starred review, Kirkus calls the book, “a gripping relationship-based procedural that drags you in and spits you out wan but satisfied.”

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About the Author:

Tracy Clark is the Sue Grafton Memorial Award-winning author of the highly acclaimed Chicago Mystery Series featuring ex-homicide cop turned PI Cassandra Raines, a hard-driving, African-American protagonist who works the mean streets of the Windy City dodging cops, cons, killers, and thugs. She received Anthony Award and Lefty Award nominations for her series debut, Broken Places, which was also shortlisted for the American Library Association’s RUSA Reading List, named a CrimeReads Best New PI Book of 2018, a Midwest Connections Pick, and a Library Journal Best Books of the Year.

A native of Chicago, she works as an editor in the newspaper industry and roots for the Cubs, Sox, Bulls, Bears, and Blackhawks equally. She is a board member-at large of Sisters in Crime, Chicagoland, a member of International Thriller Writers, and a Mystery Writers of America Midwest board member.

Addional Endorsements

“Strange goings-on escalate into dangerous ones, and Clark takes readers on a suspenseful, often wild ride as Cass pushes for truth and justice. Fans of Sue Grafton and Sarah Paretsky will delight in the snappy first-person narration and wry wit—and fans of mysteries in general will be happy to discover a writer who deftly combines clever crime-solving, stress-inducing action sequences, nail-biting suspense and lots of love for Chicago.”

—Bookpage on Borrowed Time

“The well-drawn backdrop of Chicago provides a perfect canvas for this welcome addition to the PI scene.”

—Mystery Scene on Broken Places

“Clark’s kickoff to an exciting new character-driven series explores the dynamics between a black investigator and a white world in a story ripped from the headlines.”

—Kirkus Reviews on Broken Places

“Clark does a fine job of controlling the pace and maintaining suspense up to the explosive, startling conclusion. Fans of tough capable female PIs will want to see more of Cass.”

—Publishers Weekly on What You Don’t See

“This street-smart first mystery boasts great characterization and a terrific new protagonist. Get this writer on your radar now.”

—Booklist on Broken Places

“The author, Tracy Clark, has done a great job with Cass. The woman is a spitball of fire, as my own grandmother used to say, and one character that readers will follow whether this turns out to be three books or twenty.”

—Suspense Magazine on Broken Places

“Unforgettable…Distinctive, vividly written characters lift this promising debut. Readers will be eager for the sequel.”

—Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW for Broken Places

“Clark’s compelling, suspenseful, and action-packed debut introduces a dogged, tough African American woman investigator who is complex and courageous and surrounded by a family of fascinating misfits. Fans of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone or Sara Paretsky’s V.I Warshawski will welcome Cass Raines to their ranks”

—Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW for Broken Places

“Tracy Clark won the Sue Grafton Memorial Award earlier this year for her Chicago Mystery series, and it’s extremely fitting because of her Cass Raines, a tough-talking yet vulnerable cop turned PI with Daddy issues. The third book, What You Don’t See, is why I love this series. It allows us to watch Cass still struggle with the fallout of being shot on the job years ago while also telling a fun, well-plotted story about her protecting an Oprah-like local celebrity who isn’t what she seems.”

– Goodreads, Mystery Maven Best of the Year for What You Don’t See

   

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