"The Detective and Dorothy Day" Is Reviewed by Historical Novel Society

Karen Bordonaro, Indie Book Reviews Editor at Historical Novels Review, part of the Historical Novel Society, has written a good and insightful review of The Detective and Dorothy Day. It can be found at their site here, and I reprint it in full below:

This detective story that features appearances by Catholic pacifist, anarchist, and labor activist Dorothy Day offers readers a unique treat. Set in 1975, the action plays out mostly in the upper part of New York State beyond the Hudson River where wealthy families retreat to the lakes, mountains, and small towns north of New York City. Sy Johnson, a private investigator, gets hired by a national labor union to investigate the murder of a local businessman in upstate New York for which the local labor union president has been charged. Sy is sent to find out if perhaps there is more to this murder than meets the eye. The local businessman, Jack Williams, was a wealthy company owner who could have been targeted for reasons other than labor unrest. Sy’s investigative trail crosses paths with Dorothy Day through her Catholic Worker farm, as well as with other business owners, reporters, lawyers, police, and members of the Williams family. As more murders occur, Sy looks for leads concerning potential industrial pollution, financial fraud, drug dealing, and a knot of personal relationships and entanglements that he himself becomes involved in. Amidst the growing violence and turbulence, Dorothy’s words give Sy a moral compass.

Fast-paced action unfolds on every page as all the twists and turns of the case take place within a week and a half. Sy comes across as a very human character as he makes mistakes, overestimates and underestimates his own abilities, and acts both rationally and emotionally throughout all the various phases of his investigation. Sy’s own experiences, his growing relationships with the local people, and Dorothy’s words of wisdom combine well in this entertaining read. Recommended for historical mystery fans who enjoy a wild ride with a touch of morality thrown in.