Streets of Fire

by: Troy Soos

Published by: Kensington Books (May release)

Reviewed by Diane Snyder

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.