Scott E. Sundby

Mid-life crises are hard, especially for drug lord Diego Velasquez who has lost his mojo and faces the imminent collapse of his empire. If, as in the past, ruthlessness, bribery, and a few well-timed 'disappearances' of key competitors would restore the family's fortunes, he could turn to his son and heir-apparent Carlos. The enemy this time, however, is American law enforcement's new-found virtuousness following 9/11. Only an ingenious plan can save the day, and it falls to his youngest son, Esteban, the "black sheep" who spurned the family business to pursue his love of literature as a graduate student in the States, to become the unlikely savior.

 

Wagering the last of the family's dwindling assets, Esteban stages a poetry conference – Wordsworth in Bogotá – as the way to smuggle cocaine into the States. The plan must fool the Velasquez family's nemesis – grizzled DEA agent Bronson Attles and the Poetry Slam Taskforce that he has formed to take them down – while successfully navigating the jealousies and insecurities of the professors who will be the unwitting couriers. To make his plan work, Esteban turns to a talented fellow graduate student, Moira O'Shaughnessy, as his intellectual consigliore. A no-nonsense individual who has largely given up on the world and love, Moira not only must decide how far she'll go in helping Esteban, but what to do about Percy Billings, a brilliant academic with a Walter Mitty belief that he was meant to be a man of action rather than letters.

 

As Esteban and his father engage in a cat-and-mouse game with the Drug Enforcement Agency, a new appreciation for each other emerges. With Esteban's plan coming to its climax, the kaleidoscope takes another surprising turn, causing friendships, romances, and family ties to tumble into new patterns once again.

 

Unafraid to have fun with the characters and plot, WORDSWORTH IN BOGOTÁ is reminiscent of Carl Hiaasen and shows like Ozark and Better Call Saul.

 

READ ADVANCE REVIEWS OF WORDSWORTH IN BOGOTÁ

 

Sundby has crafted a captivating and amusing mystery packed with a unique blend of crime, adventure, and humor. I adored the narrative style right from the start, with a gentle undertone of the author's wit and tongue-in-cheek attitude subtly permeating the plot, letting you know you're safe with a confident storyteller. Sundby's playful approach to characters and plot made the novel a delightful read, celebrating resilience and the unexpected paths to understanding what truly matters in life … [T]he plot moves at a great pace to allow the characters and their different influences to sink in, yet there's never a dull moment as you can always feel a new twist building up …. Wordsworth in Bogotá is a truly unique work of crime fiction that I would recommend to fans of accomplished writing and brilliant character work.

K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorites, 5-Star Review

 

Scott E. Sundby excels at crafting a novel which defies pat categorization, at once operating as a story of literary and familial discovery, an account of illicit deals gone awry, and a probe of innocence and treachery …. Sundby's contrasts between the cultures and atmosphere of America versus South America are finely woven into the plot, lending a 'you are here' aura to unfolding events, while a host of characters fine-tune their relationships and interactions via the precision of literary and psychological undercurrents that run through the plot like a powerful river…. [Readers] seeking stories of suspense, intrigue, shifting relationships, and discovery will find Wordsworth in Bogotá  … hard to put down.

D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

 

Wordsworth in Bogotá thrusts readers into the heart of the Velasquez Cartel's quest to reclaim their cocaine empire after the seismic events of 9/11. At the center of this resurgence, Estaban, the quiet, bookish younger son, devises a cunning plan. His scheme, steeped in his passion for poetry and literature, becomes the unexpected vehicle for smuggling drugs into the United States….

Wordsworth in Bogotá brims with characters in flux, each striving to find their way as they become enmeshed in Estaban's intricate scheme. The novel delves into themes of life, youth, faith, and the ethical dilemmas posed by fortune and power. It challenges readers to ponder what truly holds value in a world driven by ambition. This book is a remarkable piece of literature … [as] Sundby skillfully weaves intrigue and conspiracy into the narrative. For those who enjoy a blend of philosophy and espionage, this book is an engaging and thought-provoking read.

Literary Titan

 

Wordsworth in Bogotá … presents a fascinating narrative that intricately weaves together themes of ambition, identity, and the consequences of one's choices … The narrative explores the conflict between what society expects and personal desires, highlighting the characters' struggles and insecurities… [The] writing is both engaging and introspective, with a blend of humor and poignancy. The dialogue is sharp and often laced with irony, adding depth to the interactions …. The portrayal of the characters' friendships and conflicts shows how complicated human connections can be. With its gripping plot and insightful exploration of human nature, Wordsworth in Bogotá … shows strength of storytelling and the complicated aspects of life.

Manik Chaturmutha, Readers' Favorite, 5-Star Review

Building on the fervor that swept America in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, Sundby creates an engaging story of love and cocaine from the perspective of a Colombian drug lord…. Sundby creates remarkable depth by balancing humor and seriousness in equal measure …. The banter is entertaining and, in most parts, flows poetically, as can be expected from a narrative built around characters with a reverence for the spoken word. Sundby's deliberately slow pace in this chess game of wits adds to the excitement. It immerses readers as they discover a narrative whose romantic component is just as crucial as its adventure subplot. Wordsworth in Bogotá will thrill mystery and adventure enthusiasts thanks to Sundby's extraordinary storytelling abilities and captivating mini-mysteries within a perplexing larger narrative.

Essien Asian, Readers' Favorite, 5-Star Review