Canary

<p><em>Canary</em> is the raucous harrowing deeply engaging tale of an irreverent investigator exploring a social ill perhaps at her own expense... </p><p></p><p>This is serious entertainment. </p><p></p><p>--</p><p></p><p><em>Canary</em> introduces Detective Winifred 'Freddie' Dauer a complex cop battling life-and-death stakes both in her fractured mind and on her perilous beat. In this gripping debut Nic Bettauer crafts a raw funny tale of resilience unraveling secrets and a New York Christmas that's getting way too bloody. From the electrifying opening to the devastatingly emotional climax <em>Canary</em> grabs you and doesn't let go. - Larry Karaszewski Co-screenwriter of <em>Ed Wood The People vs. Larry Flynt Man on the Moon The People vs. O.J. Simpson</em> and Co-creator of <em>American Crime Story</em></p><p></p><p>An unforgettable detective with a New York health crisis on her hands as well as in her life battles with wit and tenacity. Dark truths are revealed as this stunning and timely novella progresses making it even more riveting and harrowing as the mysteries unfold. Using crystal-cut sentences winnowed to perfection be prepared to be dazzled and hooked by <em>Canary</em> for the entire ride. - Yannick Murphy Author of <em>This is the Water The Call Signed Mata Hari</em> and <em>The Sea of Trees</em></p><p></p><p>Hard-boiled and haunted sharp-tongued and laugh-out-loud funny Freddie is a self-professed 'live wire in a shit storm' implacable in her pursuit of answers in the face of trauma chaos and uncertainty. <em>Canary</em> is a taut propulsive read with pitch-perfect dialogue and an unforgettable protagonist. - Reid Sherline Author of Harvard Review Chapbook Prize Winner <em>Rapture</em></p><p></p><p>A wry lens into the intricacies of human vulnerability and tenderness and the limits of empathy in the face of loneliness and mystery. - Dave Middle-aged man at large</p><p></p><p>This book flies - it is very funny and the prose is beautiful the characters and dialogue are deep and sharp. Nic is a wonderful writer. And there is such a sense of love in it. I absolutely adored this book. <em>Canary</em> exists perfectly as-is in literary form but it is also calling to be adapted as a streamer or movie... - Evan Dunsky Screenwriter Creator of Nurse Jackie</p><p></p><p>Right up my alley. Gave me chuckles. - Anonymous Ne'er-do-well</p><p></p><p>Nic takes <em>Canary</em> where few contemporary authors dare. It's splattered with bloody noir and still this is New York and for every scene set in dour municipal palaces of pain there is hope to be found but in maybe hysterical hands here just as rapidly lost. - LamontPaul for <em>Outsideleft Literature </em></p>