A Cold Night for Alligators

By: Nick Crowe

Narrated by: R.C. Bray

A thrilling Knopf New Face of Fiction debut, A Cold Night for Alligators takes the listener on a breathtaking ride through the seedy, sensual Florida Everglades, unravelling a mystery at the heart of which lies a devastating family secret.

Twenty-six-year-old Jasper hasn't seen or heard from his older brother, Coleman, in over 10 years. Not since Coleman walked through the back gate one morning, leaving behind a distraught family concerned by his increasingly outlandish behaviour. Now Jasper's life has come to an impasse - he has settled into a rather stultifying existence as a corporate drone, living with a girlfriend he doesn't quite know how to break up with. Until a freak accident and strange phone call change everything.

With little more to go on than a random phone call, Jasper follows his brother's trail southward into the Florida Everglades where a family mystery from his childhood may hold the key to Coleman's disappearance. Accompanied by brawny, devout Donny and the extremely eccentric Duane, Jasper embarks on a series of misadventures involving a gorgeous swamp moll, an estranged aunt, and alligator poachers as he gets deeper into his search for his brother. All roads seem to lead to Uncle Rolly Lee, a rock-and-rolling swamp rat whose rather rough exterior belies an even rougher interior. Can Jasper uncover the secrets of the past and find his brother before he gets mired in the swamp and the machinations of Rolly Lee?

Populated with unforgettable characters and a suspense-filled story at its heart, A Cold Night for Alligators is a first novel about loss, hope and the ties that bind family together.

©2011 Nick Crowe (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"An excellent debut... The action of A Cold Night for Alligators ticks along nicely, the dialogue and characters are interesting, funny and believable, and the story is suspenseful. Nick Crowe is to be commended - this new writer has come out with an old-fashioned page-turner.” (Edmonton Journal)

sublime story- good mystery- funny characters

I really liked this story. The middle dragged on a bit, but it turned out to be very necessary. It's well written and well narrated. It's stars off quickly and keeps you guessing, but best of all it all get wrapped up in the end without those pesky loose ends. Loved it.

Had to keep listening!

What made the experience of listening to A Cold Night for Alligators the most enjoyable?

I got this book mainly because it was read by RC Bray, probably my favorite narrator. But I was suprised how much I liked the story and how much it kept me interested. I spent far too long today to finish it, I just had to get to the end!

Which character – as performed by R. C. Bray – was your favorite?

I liked the main character of course. But Mr. Bray read Donny with such sensitivity and Duane with such hilarity it was hard not to like them too. The Canadian accents were spot on! And Rollie Lee, deliciously bad! So, no one fave I guess!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The back story that was woven throughout was very moving to me, I found myself on the edge of my seat each time a reflection came up. I just had to know what happened way back when that got Coleman to this point!

Any additional comments?

If you like RC Bray you will like this book. But one of my measurements is "would I read it myself"? The answer is yes. I truly enjoyed it.