When a late-night pedestrian death rattles the beach community of Provincetown, interim police chief Silas Lopez—an ex-ranch-hand turned straight-shooting cop—catches a case that won’t sit still. What looks like an ugly domestic dispute gone lethal refuses to add up.

The evidence points Silas from the sand dunes and backstreets of Provincetown to cranberry country and the working docks of New Bedford, where small lies point to bigger crimes.

With a young team still finding its feet, a wary local prosecutor, and federal agencies guarding their turf, Silas follows a thin trail through dockyards, night-vision photos, and a suspect who always seems a half-step ahead.

Along the way, Wren Bradford—a social worker with a photographer’s eye and a local’s knowledge—helps Silas understand the town and maybe his own heart, too.

As tides turn, Silas learns the truth moves like water: slow, relentless, and stronger than it looks.

Christopher Mirabile, the middle child of a small-town librarian, has loved books all his life. A magna cum laude graduate in English from Colgate University and a Boston College-trained lawyer, he built a career as an attorney, executive, and startup investor. He co-authored six books on early-stage investing, wrote for Inc. Magazine, and served as Chair of the Angel Capital Association and the SEC’s Investor Advisory Committee. Today, after decades in business and nonfiction, he has returned to his roots as a fiction writer. He lives in Provincetown, Massachusetts, with his wife, their three dogs, and visits from their two adult children.

PRAISE FOR THE WASHASHORE:

“A quiet but engrossing…crime thriller with vibrant details and memorable characters…. Mirabile’s prose is clean and clear and lovingly paints an eclectic, vibrant community…. a fine edition to any mystery-thriller collection.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A thoroughly entertaining and suspenseful debut, from a writer to watch. The Washashore has action, terrific dialogue, and a charming cast of characters that will keep you hooked on this promising new series.” —William Landay, New York Times bestselling author of Defending Jacob.

“A main character with guts and heart, a warm love story-a smart, satisfying mystery read.” —Cheryl Richardson, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“The Washashore…pulled me in right away with its moody, coastal atmosphere and a mystery that feels quietly unsettling…a thoughtful, well-paced mystery that leans just as much on character and atmosphere as it does on plot. If you enjoy mysteries that are a little more reflective, with a strong sense of place and a detective who actually thinks things through, this is definitely one worth picking up.” —Seattle Book Review