Author 

Robert Allen Stowe

Robert Allen Stowe

A new voice on the literary scene, Robert Allen Stowe borrows from his colorful past during which he has rubbed elbows with wealthy businessmen, aspiring politicians, high-ranking clergy, hard-working laborers and savvy mobsters – sometimes all at one time. They are the inspiration for many of the characters in his novels, so real you can almost smell them. He writes about life from many different angles, just as he sees it from the bottom to the top. The Third Pitch is his first published novel, but it is certain not to be his last. There are just too many stories to be told.

Published works

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The Third Pitch

Charlie Franklin hates being called a ‘fixer’, but that is what he is. He prefers to think of himself as a modestly unscrupulous lawyer.

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His usual clients are important businessmen or politicians squirming out of whatever scandals might follow their illegal activity or immoral transgressions. Charlie was paid handsomely for his ability to make even the worst scenarios disappear under a blizzard of deceptions, mis-directions, or outright cover-ups.
But his newest client is not the usual scum bag. In fact, this client should not need Charlie’s services at all, because this client wears a Roman Collar and a red hat. A Church Cardinal should have no need of a fixer. Suspicions are raised when Charlie learns his task is simply the retrieval of a package for His Eminence, the contents of which cannot be disclosed.
Charlie quickly discovers that others are curious about his work for the Cardinal, as he spots a mysterious stranger following him, and enigmatic characters are suddenly very interested in his every move. He must find out what he has stumbled into, before the dangerous situation turns deadly – for him!

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The The Fires of Rubicon

In the autumn of 1971, Cleveland Police Lieutenant Alex Wesner is given a case that may be no case at all, or it may be several cases tied together.

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Did a workman perish in a vat of molten steel, or is his disappearance part of an elaborate ruse? To find the answers the lieutenant and his team must navigate the Byzantine procedures and furnaces of the Rubicon Steel Corporation while relying on mostly unhelpful witnesses: an enigmatic young man who might be talking in riddles, or a left-for-dead comatose security guard, knifed like so many other victims. The lieutenant’s investigative team is an odd collection themselves: a muscle builder, a newly-minted Sergeant, and an unfamiliar detective who may be a Voodoo priestess. To make matters worse, someone may be feeding information to the enemy.

Keep your eyes wide open as you take a frightful ride through the polluted river valley created by Rubicon Steel and other rusting and rotting industries, the belly of an old rust-belt city. The corrosive atmosphere spawns many shady, treacherous characters. Can Lieutenant Wesner cleanse his own soul and save himself from the fires that threaten to consume those around him.

REVIEWS

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“Robert Allen Stowe’s The Fires of Rubicon is a mystery novel set in Cleveland during the autumn of 1971. The narrative centers on Police Lieutenant Alex Wesner as he embarks on a complex case concerning the disappearance of a Rubicon Steel Corporation employee. As Wesner and his diverse team delve deeper, they uncover connections between events that initially seem unrelated, all against the backdrop of the city’s polluted river valley and rusting industries.

Stowe’s skillful storytelling immerses readers in the gritty environment of a rust-belt city, painting a vivid picture of the corrosive industrial landscape. Stowe’s descriptive writing style masterfully evokes the era and setting, while the dialogue’s stream-of-consciousness approach offers an enriching layer, inviting readers to connect more deeply to fully savor the depth of the characters’ thoughts and emotions. The deliberate pacing of the book aligns well with the complexity of the investigation, allowing readers to engage with the details of the case and the characters’ internal conflicts. The dynamic interactions within Lieutenant Wesner’s team add a unique flavor to the story, further enhancing the plot. Beyond the central mystery, The Fires of Rubicon explores themes like responsibility, friendship, and the impact of industrial decline on individuals and communities. The protagonist’s struggle with moral quandaries and pursuit of personal redemption add layers of depth to the narrative.

Stowe’s novel is a compelling and thoughtfully crafted mystery, set against a distinct backdrop with well-developed characters. The Fires of Rubicon invites a rewarding level of reader engagement, leading to an immersive reading experience. This book is particularly appealing to those who appreciate a mystery that goes beyond the surface, offering both a captivating story and a profound look at societal issues.“

5
Literary Titan
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This was an intriguing story that left me guessing and wondering about so much. The suspense kept making me want to read more. What a fantastic novel!
5
Lauren S.
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5 stars for plot twists. The characters are like people you may know in your own neighborhood. Looking forward to the next story
5
Bill
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Good cast of characters. Original story with a hint of the noir of the 1940s and ’50’s. Looking to see if these characters turn up in a series.

5
Verified Kindle Reader
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The Third Pitch by Robert Allen Stowe is a story that is as powerful as it is intriguing. Charles Franklin has received a handsome payment to retrieve an important package, the contents of which are unknown to him. Part of the instructions for the task is to meet someone who knows how to identify him, but Charles has no way of identifying this person. It all sounds illegal. It could be drugs, it could be stolen stuff, or it could even be radioactive. The client? An esteemed Church Cardinal. Charles is wondering what this man of God is trying to acquire and why he is willing to risk it, as the Vatican has ways of dealing with those who violate Canonical Law. As Charles inches his way closer to the truth, he will discover that there are forces who are interested in what he needs to retrieve. The Third Pitch gives you the kind of thrill that you get in reading Robert Ludlum or Frederick Forsyth. Here we have characters that are well-drawn, especially the main protagonist, and their actions based on their motivations enable you to understand them instead of instantly loving or hating them. Robert Allen Stowe has written a first-rate novel because it doesn’t stop at the thrills and intrigue. It also pays attention to plotting and characterization and demonstrates Stowe’s skills as a storyteller. He not only paints characters–he sculpts personalities. I can think of no better setting than the Vatican, as outsiders have always viewed this institution as mysterious and sacrosanct. This is an intriguing tale that will appeal to fans of thrillers and mysteries.

5
Vincent Dublado