Sakey, Marcus

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Sakey, Marcus

PERSONAL:

Born in Flint, MI; married. Education: University of Michigan, graduated.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Chicago, IL. Agent—Scott Miller, Trident Media Group, 41 Madison Ave., 36th Fl., New York, NY 10010. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Writer. Has worked in advertising for ten years.

WRITINGS:

The Blade Itself (novel), St. Martin's Minotaur (New York, NY), 2007.

SIDELIGHTS:

Marcus Sakey spent ten years working in the advertising and marketing industry, a career foundation that he credits for his ability to write fiction about thieves and killers. His love of crime novels has also influenced him, and he cites Dennis Lehane, Elmore Leonard, and James Ellroy—all of whom he has been compared to—as some of his favorite authors. For his first novel, the critically well-received The Blade Itself, Sakey conducted extensive research, spending time with homicide detectives and learning how to pick a dead bolt. The book follows the exploits of retired thief Danny Carter, who has become a respectable businessman. He discovers, though, that leaving his past behind is not as easy as he had hoped when his former partner in crime, Evan McGann, is released from prison. Library Journal critic Teresa L. Jacobsen remarked that "Sakey's insights into Danny's struggles to maintain a decent, honest life truly make the story stand out." A Publishers Weekly contributor called the book a "brilliant debut," and "a must read." New York Times Book Review writer Marilyn Stasio commented of Sakey's effort: "The narrative drive of this white-knuckle story owes everything to the raw tension between virtuous Danny and evil Evan." In a review for the Washington Post, Patrick Anderson noted that "Sakey does the big things right but sometimes stumbles on small things. His novel is fast-moving and suspenseful, but it can be touchy-feely." However, Anderson went on to praise Sakey's writing overall, calling the book "an impressive start to his career."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, October 15, 2006, Sue O'Brien, review of The Blade Itself, p. 33.

Chicago Tribune Books, January 14, 2007, Dick Adler, review of The Blade Itself, p. 8.

Kirkus Reviews, October 1, 2006, review of The Blade Itself, p. 984.

Library Journal, October 15, 2006, Teresa L. Jacobsen, review of The Blade Itself, p. 57.

New York Times Book Review, January 14, 2007, Marilyn Stasio, "Rookie Blues," review of The Blade Itself, p. 23.

Publishers Weekly, October 2, 2006, review of The Blade Itself, p. 38; November 6, 2006, Robert C. Hahn, "PW talks with Marcus Sakey: A Sharp Debut," p. 35.

Washington Post, January 15, 2007, Patrick Anderson, "Cold Evil in the Windy City," review of The Blade Itself, p. C3.