Pay Dirt Road: A Novel

Annie McIntyre, a recent college graduate, is lured into her family's private investigation firm by her grandfather, Leroy. They investigate a missing waitress in a small town, leading them to confront Annie's past and the haunting nostalgia of the place.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 19 April 2022
Publisher: St Martin's Press

Annie McIntyre's relationship with Garnett, Texas, is a complex mix of love and hate. Recently graduated from college and working as a waitress, she lacks ambition but is filled with determination. Despite the misgivings of her family, Annie is lured into the family business, a private investigation firm, by her supposed-to-be-retired grandfather, Leroy.

When a waitress at a local café goes missing, Annie and Leroy embark on an investigation that takes them down rural routes, haunted byways, and to noxious-smelling oil fields. Along the way, they encounter the glowing neon of local honky-tonks. As Annie delves deeper into the case, she finds herself identifying with the victim in increasingly unsettling ways. She realizes that she must confront her own past, including failed romances and a disturbing experience she would rather forget, if she wants to survive this homecoming.

The investigation brings Annie face-to-face with the complexities of her hometown, where she struggles to reconcile her past with her present. She confronts the people she thought she knew, and discovers hidden secrets that have been buried for years. Annie's journey is a testament to the power of nostalgia and the importance of facing one's demons.

In the end, Annie emerges stronger and more determined than ever before. She has learned to embrace her past and use it as a tool for growth and self-discovery. Garnett, Texas, may never be the same again, but Annie is ready to face whatever challenges come her way.

Weight: 480g
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781250804273