Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Robert Allen Stowe’s The Third Pitch is a gripping tale that masterfully blends elements of mystery, crime, and historical fiction. Set against the gritty backdrop of 1970s Cleveland, this novel takes readers on a thrilling journey through the city’s industrial Flats, where secrets and danger lurk around every corner.

The story revolves around Charlie Franklin, a fixer hired by Cardinal Maroni to retrieve a mysterious package. As Charlie delves deeper into his mission, he uncovers a web of deceit and corruption that threatens to unravel the very fabric of the city’s underworld. The plot is tightly woven, with each chapter revealing new twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Stowe’s writing is vivid and evocative, painting a realistic picture of Cleveland’s industrial landscape. His attention to detail brings the setting to life, immersing readers in the sights, sounds, and smells of the era. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, capturing the essence of the characters and their environment.

The characters in The Third Pitch are well-drawn and complex. Charlie Franklin is a compelling protagonist, whose moral ambiguity adds depth to his character. The supporting cast, including the enigmatic Cardinal Maroni, is equally intriguing, each with their own secrets and motivations. Stowe excels at creating multi-dimensional characters that feel real and relatable.

At its core, The Third Pitch explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the quest for redemption. The novel delves into the darker aspects of human nature, examining how far individuals will go to protect their interests.

Stowe’s exploration of these themes adds a layer of psychological depth to the narrative, making it more than just a simple crime story.

The Third Pitch is a standout novel that combines a compelling plot, rich character development, and a vividly depicted setting. Robert Allen Stowe has crafted a story that is entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for fans of mystery and historical fiction. Whether you’re drawn to the intrigue of the plot or the complexity of the characters, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Thank you to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for an eARC copy of The Third Pitch by Robert Allen Stowe.

The Third Pitch by Robert Allen Stowe weaves a tale of suspense, intrigue, and moral complexity. The story follows Charlie Franklin, a fixer with a knack for navigating the murky waters of Cleveland's underbelly, leading him to take on an unusual client: a Church Cardinal. Though the beginning starts off a bit slow, I was slowly drawn into the spiral of thoughts for retrieving a mysterious package for a man whose life is devoted to the cloth. It feels like you are watching over Charlie's shoulder as he encounters an array of dangerous characters, most specifically the local mob boss, T.K. Constantine. Robert Allen Stowe does a great job contrasting and blending the world of organized crime and the Church. //But we all know that there has to be a connection in real life//. I couldn't put it down and would probably pick it back up in case there was anything else that I missed the first time through.

fixer, lawyers, scandal, the-mob, greed, crime-boss, clergy, Cleveland, suspense, noir, bait, courier, situational-humor, imposter, thriller, secrets, lies, distrust*****

In baseball the third pitch is the most important.
Charlie is a lawyer who finds it more lucrative to be a fixer for those who have unpleasant secrets. This time he is to act as a fixer for a church official by picking up a package under strict conditions and delivering it as well. The first time the item in the package is not what it was supposed to be nor was the second time. Among all this there are underworld characters involved, diversions, and some really weird motivations. The characters are quite believable and sometimes right out of central casting. I loved it! (And not just because it's Cleveland)
I requested and received a temporary e-book from Black Rose Writing via NetGalley. Thanks!

643 kb

5 stars

A fantastic novel.

In this book, we meet Charlie Franklin. Charlie is a lawyer who no longer practices. He is now a “fixer.” He makes trouble that people get into go away. He has all kinds of clients: ordinary people, politicians, mobsters and more.

Charlie has recently been contacted by a newly minted Cardinal Maroney. Why? It seems the Cardinal needs someone to pick up a package for him. He has a long list of “don’ts” for Charlie. Against his better instincts, Charlie takes the case.

When he arrives in NewYork, he discovers his contact is a blond femme fatale. Wow!

Returning to the Cardinal, Charlie thinks his job is done. But, the Cardinal is very angry and explodes when he discovers the package is not what he requested. The Cardinal turns out to be a hot tempered and not very nice guy. He sends for Charlie again, all the while beginning to have doubts not only about Charlie, but also about his assistant.

What follows is an intense drama. Suspicions, double crosses and deceptions are played out between the major players in this story: the Cardinal, Charlie and his “assistants” Rita and Pete, the mob and some shadowy men whose intent remains unknown. The story becomes complicated, but oh, so delicious.

The Cardinal has evil in his heart.

The writing in this book is superb. The plot is without holes. The reader gets to know all of the characters very well. Their descriptions are so well drawn that I felt I could visualize them. I very much liked this novel and would recommend it to anyone who likes the mystery or adventure genre.

I want to thank NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

Complicated story of a Catholic Church Cardinal with aspirations of a greater office. A Cleveland lawyer is brought in by the Cardinal to work as a courier. When the first and second deliveries don’t go as planned, the plot gets intricately more complicated involving rich families, various mob organizations, and various Church officials. Everything gets tied up tightly in the end.