Blood Standard

Blood Standard by Laird Barron, published by Penguin on April 2, 2019, is a reprint edition comprising 400 pages. This novel marks Barron’s debut in crime fiction, immersing readers in the gritty underbelly of upstate New York. The story follows Isaiah Coleridge, a mob enforcer from Alaska, who finds himself in a precarious situation after disrupting a criminal operation. Exiled to New York, he attempts to lead a quieter life, but the disappearance of a teenage girl pulls him back into the dangerous world he sought to escape.

Readers will encounter a hardboiled narrative filled with suspense and crime as Isaiah navigates the complexities of his new environment. The novel explores themes of loyalty and the consequences of a life steeped in violence, as Isaiah’s quest to find the missing girl leads him deeper into the criminal underworld. Blood Standard combines elements of mystery and thriller, appealing to fans of classic noir and authors like James Ellroy and John D. Macdonald.