When the Kingpin Falls, the Vacuum Demands Blood
Stepping into power is never a clean transition. In the wake of sudden collapse at the top of the syndicate, survival is no longer about running errands down darkened suburban streets—it is about keeping an entire country from tearing itself apart in the crossfire.
In ARISE, author Marshall E. Gass delivers the relentless, fast-moving New Zealand crime fiction sequel to DONE. Expanding the canvas from the back alleys of South Auckland across the Cook Strait into the freezing corridors of Christchurch and Dunedin, the novel exposes the volatile machinery of an underworld pushed to the brink of open war.
The Story: A Nation Divided, A Network Under Siege
The Evolution of the Underworld: Core Thematic Conflicts
The North-South Fracture
Where DONE concentrated on the street codes and territorial lines of suburban Auckland, ARISE covers the entire national landscape. The narrative highlights the sharp cultural and operational differences between North Island urban syndicates and the hardened, unforgiving networks running the highways and ports of the lower South Island.
Drawn to an uninhabited colonial villa nearby, John meets Savitri, a doctoral researcher living next door who recognizes the house’s lingering presence. Guided by Savitri’s understanding of karma and samsara, John begins piecing together the uncanny parallels between his own life and the man who built the estate a century earlier.
The Shadow of Intelligence & Outside Cartels
The line between law enforcement and organized crime blurs completely. As federal handlers manipulate cartel strings to prevent street-level anarchy, foreign syndicates circle the borders looking for any crack in the armor to take over domestic ports and transit hubs.
The Machine Over the Mule
Recognizing that human couriers, street dealers, and physical drop boxes leave fatal evidence trails, the narrative pivots into modern technological strategy. Developing and deploying automated aerial drone swarms to execute encrypted, remote drops across hills, forests, and suburban valleys transforms basic gang fiction into a high-octane modern tactical thriller.
Who Will Enjoy This Book?
Readers Who Finished DONE: The direct continuation that deepens the stakes, broadens the geography, and tests the surviving characters against national-level threats.
Fans of Realistic Syndicate & Tactical Noir: Readers who enjoy gritty crime fiction focusing on logistics, counter-surveillance, and the cold calculations required to maintain power.
Followers of New Zealand & Australasian Crime Drama: Anyone looking for authentic regional settings—from ferry crossings across the Cook Strait to rural outposts in Ashburton, Twizel, and Dunedin.
About the Author: Marshall E. Gass
Marshall E. Gass is an Auckland-based novelist, poet, and educational executive whose works span multiple literary genres, including contemporary crime, metaphysical mysteries, and international historical drama. His storytelling emphasizes high-tension character dynamics, philosophical conflicts of power, and realistic societal friction.
Read the full background of Marshall’s literary career on his official Author Biography Page.
Book Details & Specifications
Title: ARISE
Author: Marshall E. Gass
Genre: Crime Fiction / Organized Crime Thriller / Tech-Noir Suspense
ISBN:
Language: English
Available Formats: Instant Download in DRM-Free EPUB, MOBI, and PDF
Current Price: NZ$ 4.50
Delivery: Immediate access link delivered upon checkout completion
Enter the Next Chapter of New Zealand’s Underworld
When silence falls across the network, only the ruthless survive. Download ARISE directly to your reader or device today for just NZ$ 4.50.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I read DONE before starting ARISE?
While ARISE delivers a self-contained power struggle with its own distinct operational arc, reading DONE first provides the full background on Alex Kane’s initial recruitment, the mechanics of Auckland’s street networks, and his history with Alice McGregor.
What digital formats will I receive?
Your order includes direct access to all three universal digital reading formats: EPUB (for Kobo, Apple Books, and mobile devices), MOBI (for Amazon Kindle), and PDF (for tablet and computer screens).
What regions of New Zealand are featured in the story?
The novel covers ground across both main islands, featuring key scenes in Auckland, Wellington, Picton, Christchurch, Ashburton, and Dunedin.
Related Books by Marshall E. Gass
- DONE: The breakout crime thriller introducing Alex Kane’s turbulent descent into Auckland’s clandestine syndicates.
- 1882 Continuum: A century-spanning metaphysical mystery exploring past lives, prophetic journals, and timeless destiny across New Zealand history.
- Beautiful Brushstrokes: An introspective international journey of art, healing, and redemption.
Explore the full collection of fiction on the official Novels Hub.