Streets of Fire

by Troy Soos

An historical mystery set in 1895 Brooklyn, in which the anarchy during one of the most contentious labour conflicts in America's history brings a snow-clad city to its knees - and hides a ruthless killer.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0758206259
• ISBN13: 9780758206251
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.3" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful characters

Streets of Fire is the fourth in a historical mystery series featuring journalist Marshall Webb and Rebecca Davies, daughter of an affluent and prominent family. Marshall is a writer for Harper's Weekly, and Rebecca runs a shelter for young women who have been abused or are homeless. Marshall also writes successful dime novels under the name, David A. Byrd. It is 1895 in New York City and the city is preparing for a streetcar strike. The labor force is determined the trolleys will not run and the Mayor is just as determined that they will. The police are put on assignment to keep the tracks clear, and among the police is Buck Morehouse. This detective is at odds with the others in his precinct because he follows his own convoluted code of honor, refusing to become totally corrupted for it is that time when "financial hardship, labor unrest, political corruptions and police malfeasance" is the norm and survival is indeed of the strongest, the swiftest and the canniest. When Vivian O'Conner, a well-to-do, retired prostitute asks for Rebecca's assistance in establishing a home for women who want to leave the streets and change their lives, Rebecca becomes aware of the callous disregard when prostitutes are murdered. However, before the shelter can be opened, Vivian is also murdered. Knowing the police will not investigate her murder, and suspecting it was not a random attack, Rebecca begins her own search for the killer and asks Marshall to enlist Buck's aid Marshall Webb is known as a writer who is not afraid to report on serious issues, issues that do not always find favor to those in power. He has accepted an assignment to cover the strike that becomes violent and out of control, killing a policeman. As Marshall, Rebecca and Buck are seemingly following different paths of investigations, they soon converge in a surprise ending. Author Soos is very skillful in recreating this time period and pulling you right into the mood of that era. His characters are strong and believable but the best is Detective Buck Morehouse, who steals the scenes. Armchair Interviews says: Splendid characters make this a very good read.

great atmospheric historical novel

In 1895 the third biggest city in America, Brooklyn is about to join New York and become one metropolis. Harper Weekly reporter Marshall Webb weakened the Tammany hall organization with his exposé articles, but he feels stale and wants to quit. His boss convinces Marshall to work one freelance while taking time to write novels. He needs Marshall to cover the pending strike between the Brooklyn Railroad and its workers who demand safer working conditions and more money. A strike is called with most people sympathizing with the employees until someone kills a cop. Most people assume a striker murdered the police officer, but the victim's superior Buck Morehouse thinks otherwise. The mayor, who owns stock in the railroad, calls in the militia to kill anyone acting suspicious and does not care about collateral damage like the murder of a cop. Marcus' girlfriend Rebecca Davies, who runs a women's shelter, is helping ex prostitute Vivian O'Connor set up a shelter targeting women wanting to get out of her former line of work. She calls it Sayre House after a girl she considered a friend was beaten to death. Several weeks later, O'Connor is killed; Rebecca, Marshall and Buck believe the homicides are linked, but they need to discover how. Troy Soos provides a great atmospheric historical novel that gives readers a picture of the corruption in the police department and by local politicians during the Gay Nineties. The common person takes for granted that the powerful will abuse their positions as that is the accepted cost of being "protected" (sounds like politicians have not changed in over a century). The three prime protagonists of STREETS OF FIRE are fully developed and believable as they walk on the wild side of the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Harriet Klausner