Robert Goldsborough Review

(2007)  A Death in Pilsen

Historical: Chicago, 1946

Murder hits close to home when Chicago Tribune police reporter Steve “Snap” Malek’s cousin Charlie is charged in the stabbing death of his wife Edwina. Charlie brought “Eddie” back to the U.S. from England as a war bride and she’d been pretty vocal about how unhappy she was in Chicago. While Charlie has been working late hours, Edwina has been imbibing with her friends at a local pub, Horvath’s. Police interview a few of the Horvath’s habitués, but seem convinced they have their man in Charlie.

Snap is equally convinced his mild-mannered cousin couldn’t have committed murder and sets out to do a more thorough investigation of Edwina’s bar friends. That doesn’t set well with Fergus Sean Fahey, Chicago’s chief of detectives and Snap’s main contact on the police force. But Fahey respects Snap and is willing to help him on the sly.

How could I resist reading this book, even though it’s more noir than cozy? First, it is set in the post-war years, an ear which I find a fascinating; second, the story takes place in Chicago, near where I was born as a member of the post-war baby boomer generation. A Death in Pilsen is definitely NOT cozy. But neither is it overly dark, or filled with coarse language, explicit sex or violence.

A Death in Pilsen perfectly captures the angst of the post-war years; details of the journalistic process ring absolutely true. Plus the writing is just top-notch and the plotting is laser-focused on the murder investigation.

If it’s true that history can often be better understood through fiction than non-fiction and/or history texts, A Death in Pilsen is a great example of that principle. In fact, it would be a perfect book for younger readers – a dose of history combined with a fascinating story. That’s not to say adults wouldn’t appreciate it, too. (Older readers will especially appreciate the large type!) In the book’s last few pages, the author has included details about the true events and people described, along with a brief bibliography for those who want to know more.

Note: There are two earlier Snap Malek mysteries and a fourth scheduled for publication this fall.

By Diana. First published in the Cozy Library February 21, 2008.

A Death in Pilsen is “not quite cozy.”