They're Gone: A Novel

Two women's husbands are murdered on the same night in the same way--and their investigation uncovers a terrifying connection. Two women's husbands are murdered on the same night in the same way--and their investigation uncovers a terrifying connection. Two men from vastly different backgrounds are murdered one after another on the same night, in the same fashion with two bullet wounds- one in the head, another in the heart. The two slayings sends their wives on a desperate search for answers--and a desperate attempt to save their families' lives. Grief takes a heavy toll on northern Virginia freelance editor Deb Linh Thomas when she learns of her husband's murder. And utter dismay sets in when, just a week after the funeral, she discovers that he had been the subject of an FBI investigation after withdrawing a large sum of money from their shared accounts. Elsewhere, Baltimore bartender Cessy Castillo is less bereft when her abusive husband, ex-cop Hector Ramirez, is killed. But it turns out that he was deep in hock--and now Cessy's expected to pay up. Deb and the FBI agent assigned to her case start digging into her husband's murder and learn that he had been the target of criminals. As Deb and Cessy join forces to learn the truth, their investigation reveals an ever-darker web of clues, but if they're not careful, they may just end up like their husbands.

About the Author :
E.A. Barres' most recent thriller, The Unrepentant, was published in 2019 by Down and Out Books (written under E. A. Aymar). His other thrillers include the anthologies The Swamp Killers (March 2020) and The Night of the Flood (March 2018); in both anthologies, he served as co-editor and contributor. His column, "Decisions and Revisions," appears monthly in the Washington Independent Review of Books, and he is also the Managing Editor of The Thrill Begins, ITW's online resource for aspiring and debut thriller writers; he also serves on the Board of ITW as the Vice President of Author Programs. In addition to ITW, he is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Crime Writers of Color, and SinC. Barres also runs the Noir at the Bar series for Washington, D.C. He was born in Panama and now lives and writes in the D.C./MD/VA triangle.

Review :
Praise for They’re Gone: “[Barres] has written a hard-boiled crime thriller in which the women fight back. It’s expertly plotted and action-packed, but it also features a diverse cast of characters—including two strong women of color as protagonists—and offers biting social commentary.” —Buzzfeed “Smartly plotted, violent, and utterly absorbing.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review “This women-fight-back thriller will please those looking to vicariously smack down a few hulking villains.” —Publishers Weekly “The plot moves with urgency...This is a must-read book for fans of suspense and thriller books.” —Portland Book Review “[Barres] delivers a twisting plot...augmented by deep character studies.” —South Florida Sun Sentinel "[Barres] delivers a twisting plot...and augments that plot with deep character studies." —The Virginian-Pilot “A very dark and intense, as well as tense, novel, exploring the corrupt side of the law.” —New York Journal of Books "A stunning, dark, evocative thriller." —Jennifer Hillier, award-winning author of Jar of Hearts and Little Secrets “They're Gone is a powerful, gritty mystery that firmly establishes E.A. Barres as a voice to be reckoned with in the genre. Barres deftly weaves two very different stories together to create one compulsively readable and defiantly of-the-moment whodunit that lingers with you long after you’ve read the last page.”  —Alex Segura, acclaimed author of the Pete Fernandez series  "E.A. Barres strikes criminal gold once more with his latest...Possibly one of the crime thrillers of the year." —Vincent Zandri, New York Times bestselling author of The Remains and The Girl Who Wasn't There "Perfect pacing and imperfect heroes make this book a hard one to put down!” —Susan Crawford, bestselling author of The Pocket Wife and The Other Widow “A relentless, pulse-pounding thriller that showcases E.A. Barres’s talent for injecting gritty crime stories with sympathetic, emotionally complex characters and sharp black humor. Barres skillfully combines a dark story about corruption, greed, and violence with an emotional arc about grief, resilience, and the lengths a person will go to protect their family—all while keeping the pace swift and the dialogue witty.” —Kathleen Barber, author of Truth Be Told “Intense, gritty and absolutely riveting, E.A. Barres’s perfectly constructed plot unfolds with the thoughtful precision and menace of a cat burglar. They’re Gone seamlessly blends heart-pounding action with searing social commentary. This thriller has a deliciously dark wit that makes for an unforgettable read.   —Hilary Davidson, bestselling author of One Small Sacrifice