Lower City

“Lower City is a propulsive, of-the-moment social thriller about the consequence of inaction in a world fractured by fear and division. After a spree of kidnappings rocks the steel-town world in which he’s quietly existed, Danny Clarke wrestles with what it means to fight for the community he loves, and stand up to power with both courage and compassion. This is highly entertaining suspense with moral heft and an original voice—carried by the kind of Gen Z hero we want more of.”
—Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push and The Whispers

“Lower City pulls off a sleight of hand that few thrillers manage to accomplish: it simultaneously accurately renders the horrors of the real world right now, while plunging you into a twisted story that will take your breath away. It’s grounded yet urgent, a novel that understands the anxieties of our time and uses them as a springboard into a dark underworld you can’t get enough of.”
—Elamin Abdelmahmoud, #1 bestselling author of Son of Elsewhere

“In Lower City, Alex Spring delivers a thoughtful, frightening yet humane take on urban life on the gritty, industrial side of the tracks. In a brilliant high wire act, Spring spins a propulsive, dark tale, punctuated with timely respites of light and warmth. With moving relevance to the challenges facing young people today, this is a story we need right now.”
—Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Leacock Medal for Humour

“In a fabled Hamilton working-class world of factories and old warehouses that seems to have remained unchanged for decades—except that everything has become more difficult—Danny Clarke, a steelworker intent on proving his mettle, is searching for an ever-increasing number of kidnap victims as well as himself. Lower City is that rare thing: a deeply felt crime novel.”
—Giller and Governor General’s Literary Award finalist, Gary Barwin, author of The Comedian’s Book of the Dead

“Alex Spring is the real deal, delivering both a propulsive, twisty thriller and an astute social commentary. It’s a book about crime and community, family and friendship, and how we find our place in the world. I hate when a book is called un-put-downable, so I’ll say this instead: The instant I put it down, I was dying to pick it up again. Take a trip to Lower City—you won’t want to leave.”
—Mark Medley, bestselling author of Live to See the Day

“A propulsive, thrilling and timely portrait of our fearful, anxious world, one that’s laced with razor-sharp wit, packed with deeply felt characters and full of big-hearted compassion. Lower City grabs you by the collar and won’t let you loose until you’re dripping sweat and gasping for air. Take a deep breath, and dive in.”
—Barry Hertz, The Globe and Mail, and author of Welcome to the Family: The Explosive Story Behind Fast & Furious, the Blockbusters that Supercharged the World

“Lower City is a solid, heartfelt debut from a gifted new writer to watch.”
—Rick Mofina, internationally bestselling author

Alex Spring is the pen name of Jared Bland, a writer and editor who lives in Toronto and Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.

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