New York musician Jude Rossi's world is shattered when his 14-year-old daughter, Little Blue-a rising star in the music scene-dies unexpectedly at her record deal party. Though the coroner's report lists "overdose," Jude knows that his daughter's disdain for drugs means there's something far more sinister at play. With no means to investigate, he spirals into a dark abyss of grief, turning his back on his once-thriving music career.Two years later, Jude works as a low-paid janitor in a boxing gym. One fateful night he encounters Mad Madge, a homeless woman claiming she can reconnect him with his daughter. Desperate and intoxicated, he consumes a strange serum and is thrust into a nightmarish realm. There, Little Blue's spirit reveals that a snake-tattooed man is responsible for her death, igniting a fierce hunger for vengeance when Jude awakens in a hospital bed.As Jude spirals deeper into his obsession, he meets Lauren Banks, an addiction psychology student who distracts him from his deadly vendetta. With her help, he begins to reclaim the life he lost, even landing a job at her father's entertainment law firm. But the haunting messages from spirits pull him back into the darkness, unraveling a web of truths about music industry execs and his daughter's tragic end. Nothing will stop Jude from seeking revenge for his little girl. However, he is unprepared for the lengths some will go to protect their secrets and power.
EDITORIAL REVIEW by Victoria Chatham for Little Blue
Jude Rossi's career as a guitarist in a rock band ends the night his fourteen-year-old daughter dies from a drug overdose. Haunted by her death, Jude barely holds his life together. He sells all but one of his guitars and leaves the music scene behind him. Lost in grief, Jude has little direction or ambition until he meets an unsavoury woman named Madge, who says she knows someone who can help him and introduces him to Warlock. From there, Jude drifts between fantasy and reality.
After being taken to hospital suffering from a suspected drug overdose, even though he tells the doctor that he does not indulge in drugs, he meets psychology intern Lauren. Between Lauren, Madge, and Little Blue, Jude concludes that she was murdered and vows to uncover the truth.
Author Jay Lang has extensive knowledge of the music industry, its highs and lows, and, above all, its extremes. She skillfully blends the themes of love, loss, and grief with paranormal and mystery elements to produce a sometimes dark tale that deals with some hard truths. This intriguing story ends on an uplifting note, with hope for a happier future for Jude.
