MALICE
by S.J.Smith
ISBN: 979-8-9868495-3-6
Paperback published by
SightlinePress, Saint Paul, MN, 2025
Anyone with experience with officers of the law knows they come in a wide variety of humanity. Backgrounds are varied, although in most states, including Minnesota, police officers have a certain level of education. It affects their abilities in communicating with the public.
In this novel, Pete Culnane, a Saint Paul detective, with partner Martin Tierney, are both well-educated, experienced detective who understand and use their language at a fairly high level. It affords them opportunities to interact cleanly and politely with victims, suspects and witnesses. In this, the author's tenth Culnane story, the lead detective is still on a return path from paternity leave. Now, as a new father, he has to deal wit the question of allotted and obligated time, for the job and for the family. He wants to spend as much time with his family as he can, but there is this murdered guy on a Saint Paul street curb. Fred Brooten is discovered shot to death on a cold and miserable early Spring day in St. Paul. He was shot to death and the forensic unit has noted, for the detective team that Brooten is flat on his face in the snow. He was shot as was his nearby truck. The detective trio, preserving their gentlemanly traits travel the city, following clues and ideas until they reach the identity of the killer of Brooten.
But then comes the other question. Why was he killed? The answer will surprise readers.
