This is the Kirkus Reviews take on DRAGONY RISING, the fifth Frank Nagler Mystery.
Thanks to the reviewer for a thoughtful examination of the story.
The conclusion: “This crackling series installment provides a wide-angle shot of society and generations in conflict.”
The review:
A detective and his allies uncover a deep-rooted conspiracy in this fifth installment of a mystery series.
After the tragic results of a prior case, Det. Frank Nagler is on leave from the Ironton, New Jersey, police department. Early one morning, he’s asleep next to his lover, city planner Lauren Fox, when a massive explosion rocks the city. The recently sold block of Warren Street in downtown Ironton has been leveled. Frank climbs Ironton’s new bridge for a look at the damage and assumes a natural gas leak is responsible.
Then he notices a single kitchen chair sitting on the roof of a theater on the blast zone’s periphery. He’s joined by reporter Jimmy Dawson, who agrees with his suspicions that the chair’s presence isn’t an accident.
Meanwhile, Lauren, while researching potential victims on the Warren block, sees a tax map indicating that about 50 people live there. Yet after several days of searching, only four bodies are found.
As the situation grows complicated, Frank works with Dr. Phillips Ignatius to overcome his PTSD after witnessing a former police commander shoot and kill three officers.
Frank is teaching at the police academy when Mahala Dixon, one of his students, insists on his help getting her father, former cop Carlton Dixon, released from prison. Carlton has been wrongfully incarcerated for 15 years, Mahala claims, as she hands Frank a file detailing incidents from 2006.
When it’s determined that one of the Warren Street victims was stabbed before the explosion, subtle connections begin forming between seemingly disparate urban elements—real estate investor Taylor Mangot II and the shadowy Dragon Alliance group, among them.
Daigle’s series, in which the decaying Ironton is as rich a character as Frank, continues with this epic installment. The plot distills motifs that have hijacked American discourse for several years, including gentrification, hordes of angry White men adrift, and, most pointedly, maniacal real estate moguls.
This narrative weaves in details from previous volumes that add emotional color, such as Frank’s deceased wife, Martha, and his formative relationship with the nun Sister Katherine. Numerous characters with deep secrets, like Mahala and retired Det. Jeff Montgomery, help maintain an urgent noir atmosphere.
The city’s ironworking history plays an immediate role, lingering phantomlike in Frank’s memory: “His father’s last job was shifting glowing metal parts hooked to chains and pulleys from the molding room to the cooling line; his father’s face had a permanent tan from the heat….It hollowed him out, just like these building shells.”
In contrast, Mangot speaks of the past as something to shed in the line: “This city looks backward, preserving the old, dirt red brick as if it is an act of mercy, as if somehow the cries and sweat of the ancient workers are more meaningful than the efforts of the men who paid the wages.”
In the book’s final third, after following tangled money trails, Daigle’s heroes witness citywide chaos that readers will recognize as frighteningly possible.
Despite ending on a hopeful note, the tale may leave fans battered with a thought that’s become inescapable to modern Americans: What does this country stand for?
This crackling series installment provides a wide-angle shot of society and generations in conflict.
Finishing a book for a writer is a challenging time.
We think we know what we did, and we can convince ourselves that the plot was rich and compelling, the characters well-drawn and interesting and that the story worked in all aspects that we planned.
Then the readers have their say.
I have been amazed and pleased as the reviews of the fifth Frank Nagler Mystery, DRAGONY RISING, have arrived because reader have been caught up in the story’s complexity and characters.
DRAGONY RISING is the most complex of the Nagler Mysteries, starting with an old cold case, an explosion that levels part of downtown Ironton, N.J., Detective Frank Nagler’s troubled mindset, and the arrival of the Dragony, an ancient organization bent on domination.
Here is a few of the comments from 5-star reviews DRAGONY RISING has garnered.
Thanks to all for reading the book and taking the time to thoughtfully comment.
***
This fifth installment in this mystery series is a terrific reading for fans of the detective genre. This mystery book enveloped you in the mind of detective Frank, who possessed the moral fortitude to investigate the crimes in Ironton, New Jersey. The characters in this book are well-developed, and the events are dark and compelling. An intriguing and incredibly realistic crime story was expertly written by the author. I wholeheartedly endorse this book, especially if you enjoy mysteries with creative themes.
***
I have enjoyed the previous novels immensely. The author manages to sustain the action, find new things to relate about Ironton, NJ and additionally keep the characters fascinating, deeply layered, and credible. These novels chronicle a town and people through changes that are not always good.
***
This novel is absolutely fantastic! This is the 5th book of the series, and probably my favorite one. Could not recommend it enough!
***
Dragony Rising: A Frank Nagler Novel by Michael Stephen Daigle is the fifth and best Frank Nagler Novel Like many of us living in the Garden State, Detective Frank Nagler has seen his hometown of Ironton, NJ, undergo many changes over the past several years. Although I want to believe the level of scandal in Ironton is more fictional than typical. The author describes the scandals within the city’s government, the stench of its corruption embedded deep, rivaling the dank stagnant stench emanating from the old bog just outside town. From the opening sentence, Dragony Rising was a page-turner. Every time I thought I could put the book down, it beckoned me to keep reading. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like mysteries with a unique New Jersey focus. My only recommendation would be for the series to be named the Lauren Fox/Frank Nagler novels. Lauren is as much the brains of the operation as Frank.
***
After the city of Ironton is brought to its knees by a devastating explosion, Detective Frank Nagler must put aside his recovery and return to serve the city in its time of need. Broken by the trauma of witnessing the murder of his friends, Nagler struggles to keep his mind sharp as he searches for clues. Only by piecing together findings that are at once unrelated and yet intimately connected can Nagler save Ironton. Daigle does it again. Don’t miss this fifth book in the Frank Nagler Mysteries — it’s the best one yet. The story will keep you turning the pages long into the night.
***
This is the 5th book of the mystery series. In this book, detective Nagler who has a conscience and ethics from ancient times, follows clues to uncover corruption and crimes in NJ. The book is well-written and will keep you turning pages to try and find out how the latest unexpected twist develops.
***
A very well written and highly engaging book that sucked me in right away. The author masterfully crafted a fast paced and very realistic crime story. If you are into crime drama or mysteries, this book is a must! Well done…well done indeed!
Easton, Pa. will be the literary center of the universe from Oct. 21 to Oct. 30 as the Fourth Annual Easton Book Festival fills downtown Easton and the metaverse with stories, discussions, poetry, children’s books, music and monsters.
Scheduled are a week’s worth of live events in Easton’s vibrant and accessible downtown.
In addition, using the festival’s website, authors and educators have prepared a series of presentations, discussions and readings. Many of the authors who have prepared virtual sessions will be onsite in person during the 10-day festival to read, discuss and sign their books.
On Sat. Oct. 29 I will be joining a group of writers from the Greater Lehigh Valley Writer’s Group at Scott Park (site of the Farmer’s Market) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for readings and book signings.
Also from 2 p.m. on Oct. 29, I will be at the Eastonian Hotel, 140,Northampton St., Easton with more GLVWG writers for more book signings.
Come learn about my Frank Nagler Mystery Series and other wonderful books.
The Frank Nagler Mysteries are the stories of the investigations and life of Ironton. N.J. Detective Frank Nagler.
In response to the many questions from curious readers at recent book show and fairs, (THANKS!!) here is a guide to the five-book Frank Nagler Mystery Series.
They are presented here in the order of Frank’s chronology, from his first case in The Red Hand to the newest story, released in September, Dragony Rising.
Kirkus Reviews: “One of modern fiction’s expertly drawn detectives.”
Thank you Collingswood Book Festival for the wonderful welcome and response.
The books:
THE RED HAND: A prequel to the series. Frank Nagler is a rookie cop assigned to a case of a serial killer. He also faces the dire illness of his young wife, Martha, his childhood sweetheart.
“He knew he needed to push the confusion aside, to ask again: What do we know?
So it’s unusual that this author released the prequel after the first several books in the series had already been published, and since I hadn’t read the others, I certainly enjoyed getting a fresh start with this one. Gotta love the style of Frank Nagler! His personality, dialogue, and inner voice ring true of somebody who grew up in “Joisy.” He is true detective through and through – and I enjoyed how much in depth the scenes were which moved along quite nicely!
Distinguished Favorite in the 2019 Big NYC Book Contest; Second Place winner for mysteries in the 2019 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards; Notable 100 Book in the 2019 Shelf Unbound Indie Book Awards; Distinguished Favorite in the 2020 Independent Press Awards; Nominee in the 2020 TopShelf Book Awards
THE SWAMPS OF JERSEY: The discovery of a dead girl in the Old Iron Bog leads to an investigation of political and business corruption that ensnared Nagler’s companion, Lauren Fox.
“The ancients knew what to do with rain like this, he thought wickedly, squinting into the horizontal blast of water. Conjure an honest man with a ship and spin a parable about the wages of sin. Nagler laughed sourly. And then get out of town. Nagler plowed his car through the treacherous bumper-deep water that filled the downtown streets. Random spotlights, swinging loosely from dangling wires on damaged poles or hanging off ripped roof tops banged with the hollow, doomed echo of cathedral bells at the end of times and flashed a shifting and sinister light on flooded parking lots or intersections rippling with dark water. Store after store was dark, some with boards covering glass windows; others had jagged shards of glass that gleamed menacingly in the fractured light, hanging in dented window frames.”
As I began this book, I could almost hear Humphrey Bogart reading the narrative portions describing the fictional town of Ironton. Frank Nagler is a tough, gritty, and tired detective who has yet another murder to deal with, and a local government that’s reeking with corruption. Throw in a sensitive side and a “foxy” woman, and Nagler’s cynical humor is often laced with memories of happier times. The story is occasionally long with descriptive passages, but the action is fast paced at other times and keeps the reader committed to finding out who the girl in the bog is and who killed her. I look forward to future Nagler tales!
A GAME CALLED DEAD: An internet terrorist turned a video game into a real-lifer game of killing and urban destruction placing Nagler and his friends and the City of Ironton in danger.
A Runner-Up in the Shelf Unbound 2016 Best Indie Book contest.
Dave Norton photo
“How often did you laugh? Nagler wondered, examining the pieces of two lives scattered before him. When did you last sit on the bed and share wine, cookies from home or a joint and tell stories about high school and your first date? Sprawl on the bed eyes closed and lose the world in the music in your earbuds? Ask for help on a history paper, deeply dissect the national political news, campus gossip, bitch about a professor, salute good grades or bemoan bad, celebrate athletic triumphs or dissect defeats; play cards, recall pain and joy; share your bed with your lover, naked and smooth, lick and probe, taste, devour and then lie chest to chest, fulfilled? Never, Nagler thought, did you think of this.”
The third book in the series won’t disappoint. Frank Nagler has a serious challenge – he’s the one with the target on his back. He’s not sure why, but “A Game Called Dead” is using the internet to play this game with the seasoned detective in Ironton, N.J. The cruel opening murder scene is only the tip of the iceberg! Well developed and as always, the author keeps you on the edge of the seat!
THE WEIGHT OF LIVING: A search for the family of a young girl found on the cold streets of Ironton leads Nagler to hunt through clues of a 100-year-old murder, clues the raise questions about his modern companions.
“She seemed hollow, the girl did. Breathing, hearing, touching, but absent. Small, dark dots sunk into an ashen blank face, eyes impossibly dull for someone so young, eyes that stared straight ahead at the faded green wall; hard, eyes so hard that did not seem to register the color of the wall, the brown of the tabletop, the lightbulb above her head or the presence of anyone else; eyes lightless, passages not to a dark soul, but to one seemingly hidden or removed; spaces missing life. Eyes not filled with pain, but absence.”
Early on, I assumed this would be a typical crime thriller – crime, clues, solved! Boy was I wrong! This book was filled with suspenseful subplots. I couldn’t put it down! I didn’t realize this book was a part of a series until I was partially through and am thrilled to say that it makes a great standalone book. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
First Place for Mysteries in the 2017 Royal Dragonfly Book Award contest; Notable 100 Book, Shelf Unbound 2018 Indie Book Awards; Named a Distinguished Favorite, 2018 Independent Press Awards; Distinguished Favorite in the 2018 Big NYC Book Contest; Finalist in the 2019 Book Excellence Awards.
Named A Gold Star Award winner in the 2020 Elite Choice Book Awards
DRAGONY RISING: The new Frank Nagler Mystery. Ironton, N.J. awakes one morning to an explosion that levels part of downtown. It is the opening act by an ancient organization with aims to own the city. The city’s only defenders are Detective Frank Nagler, Lt. Maria Ramirez and city planner Lauren Fox.
“Fear brings pain, my friend. Pain destroys hope. It must be seared away. You must burn away your own pain, Mr. Noiglar. Let this city burn. Only then does your future begin.”
“You don’t believe that, you in fact believe in nothing.” Nagler locked his ankle and stood tall.
“Ah,” McCarroll said with scorn, “What ya believe about it don’t matter when it’s happen’ right in front of ya.”
5 Stars. Exceptionally Well Written Book!
A very well written and highly engaging book that sucked me in right away. The author masterfully crafted a fast paced and very realistic crime story. If you are into crime drama or mysteries, this book is a must! Well done…well done, indeed!
In the fifth Frank Nagler Mystery, DRAGONY RISING, the conspirators launched the plan to topple Ironton’s elected government years before the story opens.
Any similarity to modern real-life conspiracies is deliberate.
Here’s how the plan begins:
(Dragony leader Carlton) Dixon held up one hand to silence the murmured approval.
“Society and its creation, government, at times rot. Such is that time. But society is a pile of rocks strapped together with the dreams of believers like you all. It is time to seek out the dreams that have putrefied. Pull out the loose rock, weaken its hold on the faulty structure. Pull one and it leans, makes a hole; pull another and it shivers, another, and it falls. Find your rock, that weak crumbling rock, brothers and sisters, and pull.”
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2022
Dragony Rising: A Frank Nagler Novel by Michael Stephen Daigle is the fifth and best Frank Nagler Novel.
Like many of us living in the Garden State, Detective Frank Nagler has seen his hometown of Ironton, NJ, undergo many changes over the past several years. Although I want to believe the level of scandal in Ironton is more fictional than typical. The author describes the scandals within the city’s government, the stench of its corruption embedded deep, rivaling the dank stagnant stench emanating from the old bog just outside town.
From the opening sentence, Dragony Rising was a page-turner. Every time I thought I could put the book down, it beckoned me to keep reading.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you like mysteries with a unique New Jersey focus. My only recommendation would be for the series to be named the Lauren Fox/Frank Nagler novels. Lauren is as much the brains of the operation as Frank.
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2022
After the city of Ironton is brought to its knees by a devastating explosion, Detective Frank Nagler must put aside his recovery and return to serve the city in its time of need. Broken by the trauma of witnessing the murder of his friends, Nagler struggles to keep his mind sharp as he searches for clues. Only by piecing together findings that are at once unrelated and yet intimately connected can Nagler save Ironton.
Daigle does it again. Don’t miss this fifth book in the Frank Nagler Mysteries — it’s the best one yet. The story will keep you turning the pages long into the night.
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2022
This is the 5th book of the mystery series. In this book, detective Nagler who has a conscience and ethics from ancient times, follows clues to uncover corruption and crimes in NJ. The book is well-written and will keep you turning pages to try and find out how the latest unexpected twist develops.
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2022
A very well written and highly engaging book that sucked me in right away. The author masterfully crafted a fast paced and very realistic crime story. If you are into crime drama or mysteries, this book is a must! Well done…well done indeed!
Thanks to the readers in Chatham and Belvidere for stopping by to discuss and buy copies of the Frank Nagler Mysteries.
We are, to paraphrase New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, on to New Providence.
It’s also the time to celebrate the publication of the fifth book in the series, DRAGONY RISING.
The story opens with an explosion that levels part of downtown Ironton, N.J.
While rescue crews dig through the actual explosion damage, Detective Frank Nagler sifts through the pile of questions that lead to a shadowy organization that calls themselves The Dragony, whose members trace their root to the early days of Ironton.
DRAGONY RISING is filled with twists and turns, memorable characters and the stunning reveal of the Dragony’s actual goal, the city of Ironton itself.
Here’s the schedule of a few upcoming events:
Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 .m. to 5 p.m., New Providence Book Festival, Salt Box Museum, 1350 Springfield Ave.
Sept.22: Monroe Township Library, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sept. 24: Randolph Country Fair, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Veterans Community Park, 100 Calais Road.
Oct. 1: Collingwood Book Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Frank Nagler Mysteries, published by Imzadi Publishing re:
The SWAMPS OF JERSEY, A GAME CALLED DEAD, THE WEIGHT OF LIVING, THE RED HAND, and DRAGONY RISING.
Available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook at Amazon,. Barnes and Noble and other online outlets.
September brings the opportunity to bring the Frank Nagler Mysteries to a variety of audiences. It’s also the time to celebrate the publication of the fifth book in the series, DRAGONY RISING.
The story opens with an explosion that levels part of downtown Ironton, N.J.
While rescue crews dig through the actual explosion damage, Detective Frank Nagler sifts through the pile of questions that lead to a shadowy organization that calls themselves The Dragony, whose members trace their root to the early days of Ironton.
DRAGONY RISING is filled with twists and turns, memorable characters and the stunning reveal of the Dragony’s actual goal, the city of Ironton itself.
Here’s the schedule of a few upcoming events:
Thursday, Sept 8. 6 to 8 p.m. at the Strange Planet Outsider Gallery, 11 S. Passaic Ave,, Chatham, N,J.
Saturday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Belvidere Heritage Days at Garret Wall Park.
Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 .m. to 5 p.m., New Providence Book Festival, Salt Box Museum, 1350 Springfield Ave.
Sept.22: Monroe Township Library, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sept. 24: Randolph Country Fair, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Veterans Community Park, 100 Calais Road.
Oct. 1: Collingwood Book Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Frank Nagler Mysteries, published by Imzadi Publishing re:
The SWAMPS OF JERSEY, A GAME CALLED DEAD, THE WEIGHT OF LIVING, and THE RED HAND.
Available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook at Amazon,. Barnes and Noble and other online outlets.
In the fifth Frank Nagler Mystery, DRAGONY RISING, Ironton, N.J. is in turmoil following an explosion that levels parts of two downtown blocks.
Detective Frank Nagler is recalled from medical leave to lead an investigation into the bombing.
What he finds is a shadowy organization called by its members The Dragony, whose roots go back to the early days of Ironton’s manufacturing and mining history, a history that involves Nagler’s family in unknown ways.
What he also finds is a decades-old conspiracy designed not just to enrich the Dragony leaders, but to threaten the existence of Ironton itself.
Thanks to Imzadi Publishing: Janice Grove, Anita Dugan-Moore, and Kay Springsteen Tate.
A note on the cover: Anita’s rendering expresses the spirit of the new conspiracy with the Dragon overtaking Ironton, and the long running story line that has been under the surface of the other Nagler mysteries, and now breaks out.
The award winning Frank Nagler mysteries are:
THE SWAMPS OF JERSEY (ebook, Kindle and Nook; paperback; audiobook)
A GAME CALLED DEAD (ebook, Kindle and Nook; paperback; audiobook)
THE WEIGHT OF LIVING (ebbok Kindle and Nook, paperback)
THE RED HAND (ebook, Kindle and Nook; paperback; audiobook)
The Greater Lehigh Valley Writer’s Group has received word that the 2021 Anthology “Writes of Passage” was awarded First Place in the 2022 Bookfest contest.
I was honored to have my short story, “Danny’s B-29” selected for the anthology.
It’s the story about a teen-ager left alone to build a swimming pool in his backyard with cement blocks, a few bags of cement and blue paint. The effort to build the pool brings out harsh memories about his best friend, Danny.
The anthology is a wonderful and varied collection of top-notch fiction, poetry and essays.
Congratulations to all the contributors, editors and organizers.
The Red Hand: “A winning origin story for one of modern fiction’s expertly drawn detectives.” — Kirkus Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Stephen-Daigle/e/B00P5WBOQC
