“Painted Black is about the young faces we see on the streets, covered in dirt, wearing worn out clothes, shrouded in looks of hate, pride, and fear…. There isn’t a part of this book you don’t feel, it reaches into your core…. There are many enjoyable books out there, but there aren’t many that make you feel, make you think, make you sit back and contemplate the uglier side of life we try so hard to ignore its existence. This was a very well written book on all accounts.”
—Darian Wilk, author of Love Unfinished and Reinventing Claire
“This is a crime/suspense/mystery kind of book, but at the forefront are all the characters that Debra R Borys portrays so well. This was one of those books where you start reading and before you can even blink you are almost done with it. I was so caught up with the characters of this book……Painted Black was a great story and I am glad I got a chance to read it!”
—Danielle at The To Be Read Pile
“Painted Black takes place on the gritty streets of Chicago. Midst the pervading misery that often defines the homeless community, something even darker is stirring…. The characters come across as real, and the at times disturbing reality of the way she portrays the lives of the homeless lend the entire book a visceral feel…. Knowing that the portrayal is accurate only lends weight to it. There is also an underlying message of hope, as well.”
—Connor Rickett, Cities of the Mind
“Borys depicts the street life and struggles in an engaging, interesting way that draws you in and helps give a little perspective into the lives of the homeless. Maybe the next time you see someone huddled in a door frame or sleeping on a park bench, they won’t be quite so invisible.”
—Norelle Done, Seattle Wrote
“one of the most unique mysteries I’ve read in a long time. From drugs, hustling, and child abuse to the seedy and disgusting desires of a strange and twisted man this story keeps you reading from page one to the last word. Dark, gritty and suspenseful this is a seat of your pants ride that you won’t soon forget.”
“Painted Black is the rare book of its genre that avoids cliche. At her best, the author is reminiscent of early Ed McBain. She does an excellent job of showing us the trials of homeless youth without feeling like a PSA, and once the main plot starts rolling, the text becomes a fast, effortless read as you plow through to get to the next scene, and the next.”
—Robert’s Reviews on Goodreads
“Kudos to author Deb Borys for weaving an edge-of-the-seat story around such sordidness. Very real characters, a fast pace, pithy dialogs……The book left a lingering impression long after I finished reading”
—Jayant Swamy on Amazon Reviews
“Painted Black has a Silence of the Lamb’s feeling about it…..there’s something dark and ominous going on here.…. Fiction can be a great vehicle for exposing the darker side of the human experience in ways that are both important and meaningful and I think that Painted Black fits into this category.”
—Quinn Barrett, Wise Bear Books
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PAINTED BLACK
Order at your local bookstore or from the following locations:
Jo Sullivan’s search for a missing street kid unearths a bizarre collection of freeze-dried corpses.
E-book or Trade Paperback
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