Part of Mario Balzic Detective Mystery, book 1
First published 1987
A man lies dead on the platform of Rocksburg's railroad station, beaten to death with a Coke bottle. Mario Balzic, a middle-aged Serbo-Italian American police officer, recognizes the victim. This blue-collar Pennsylvania town in the 1970s has seen its share of violence, but this murder strikes close to home for Mario. He's a family man who relies on questions rather than force, common sense over aggression. As Mario digs into the case, he becomes convinced the killer is the victim's own stepson. The evidence points in that direction, but proving it presents a significant challenge. Mario must navigate family dynamics and small-town relationships while building a case that will stand up in court. The investigation tests his methodical approach and his understanding of human nature in a community where everyone knows everyone else's business.
Genres: mystery, crime, detective
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-dynamics, methodical-investigation
Setting: Rocksburg, Pennsylvania
Period: 1970s
196 pages · Paperback · David R. Godine Publisher