Part of Mario Balzic Detective Mystery, book 2
First published 1983
Police Chief Mario Balzic faces two separate investigations in this paired collection set in small-town Pennsylvania. In the first case, Balzic encounters a man whose obsession with his own reflection becomes central to a criminal matter that tests the chief's patience and investigative skills. The second story plunges Balzic into a more complex situation where he must navigate local politics and personal relationships while solving a case that hits closer to home. Constantine places his veteran protagonist in scenarios that reveal both his street-smart approach to police work and his deep understanding of human nature. Balzic's methods rely more on conversation and observation than procedure, as he works through problems that reflect the social tensions of his blue-collar community. Both stories showcase the chief's ability to see past surface appearances and connect seemingly unrelated details into a coherent picture of crime and motive.
Genres: mystery, crime, detective
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: character-driven, investigative-journalism
Setting: Pennsylvania
Period: 20th-century
343 pages · Paperback · David R. Godine, Publisher