Why read Rat Town Blues?

Book cover of Rat Town Blues

Book description

"Gritty, intense, and immersive; a razor-sharp noir thriller that plunges into the murky depths of corruption and moral ambiguity." -The Prairies Book Review

Mark "Slag" Ferguson (bartender, ex-boxer) adds unlicensed private investigator to his resume. Times are tough. The new side gig seems like a smart play.

Kelly Mason is…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Rat Town Blues as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Paul Jantzen

Author

Brian Kaufman once again delivers the goods in his slow burn noir, Rat Town Blues. Our charismatic hero, Slag Ferguson, is small time in a small town. He's an ex boxer, bartender, and a private investigator. This might leave you thinking Rat Town Blues is a typical detective story with the usual tropes, and maybe it is, but what Kaufman brings is a style and pace that is perfect for developing his characters and the setting for this hard boiled detective’s tale.

Slag starts with a great name, a sarcastic and gritty persona, and finishes with a cynical take…

From Paul's 3 favorite reads in 2026.

Cam Torrens

Author

Guard your soul and “buck up” for Kaufman’s latest noir plunge--Rat Town Blues reads like Raymond Chandler’s The Big Sleep meets Don Winslow’s City on Fire!

Kaufman delivers a sharp, fast-paced story that blends classic hardboiled atmosphere with a near-future edge, reminding readers that every hustle comes with a cost.

From Cam's 3 favorite reads in 2025.