A soon-to-be-released legal mystery novel set in Syracuse, N.Y., has earned favorable pre-publication reviews.  The novel, “Dark Horse,” by Syracuse-lawyer Mike Langan, will be released in hardcover on February 20, 2008, by Five Star, an imprint of Gale.

“Dark Horse,” which is Langan’s first novel, is about a lawyer who must run from the police and catch a killer, when he is framed for the murder of his campaign manager during the middle of his judicial campaign.  The novel features numerous scenes in well-known central-New York locations, including the Onondaga County Courthouse, Armory Square, the Carrier Dome, the New York State Fairgrounds, Skaneateles, and the Turning Stone Casino.

But the colorful setting is not the only thing critics have liked about the novel.  “The efficient storytelling and snappy dialogue shine,” wrote Kirkus Reviews, a respected book review magazine that is known for its unflinching reviews.  “[F]irst-timer Langan succeeds in pulling a lovely rabbit from his hat.”  Kirkus’ review, along with several other favorable reviews, are available for viewing on Langan’s website, www.mikelangan.com .  

Langan, a graduate of Jamesville-DeWitt High School and Colgate University, received his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in Virginia before attending law school there.  He has published several legal articles and short stories in national and regional publications.  “Dark Horse” is his first novel.

Langan’s second novel, “Ready for the Defense,” is scheduled to be released by Treble Heart Books in paperback later in 2008.  That novel, also a legal mystery, is set in Washington, D.C., where Langan practiced white collar criminal defense for three years.  Shortly after marrying, Langan left Washington, D.C., to join the Trial Department of Bond Schoeneck & King, PLLC, in Syracuse, where he practiced for three more years.

Langan lives in the Syracuse suburb of Fayetteville with his wife and two daughters. “Dark Horse” is currently available for sale at independent bookstores across the country, and at online bookstores such as Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

Media Contact:  Mike Langan  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

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