Marco Polo: A Pittsburgh Murder Mystery

by Jeff Heckler

Dive into MARCO POLO, a heart-pounding psychological thriller set in 1940s Pittsburgh, where shadows whisper secrets and heroes skirmish with personal demons. Follow Captain Wendell Lee, a dashing African American war hero turned attorney, as he battles alcoholism and the damage caused to his family and his life while racing against time to rescue his kidnapped daughter. With hard drinking private investigator Declan "Dekker" O'Shea by his side, they face the chilling underbelly of a city entangles in racism, addiction, pedophilia, suicide, murder and shocking betrayals. This is a relentless journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat, as the duo confront the darkness within and around them to save what Wendell holds dear.

Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2023

Reviews

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being from Pittsburgh, I looked forward to reading this book. I was not disappointed. Hoping for a sequel.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems like a first book: it was okay. It is a 1940-1950’s dark detective mystery. To me it will be more memorable because it takes place in my home city Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. I also liked the diversity. Pittsburgh from the view of other places had not always been viewed as a diverse place but it is. Just ask any of us who are ourselves diverse and have deep roots. So I liked that we were included and working together.

The crime was pretty solid. Although I did get a little lost in the twists and turns a bit. The villain was a serious villain. There was a spin in the end but it was predictable to me. Some of the narration was a bit cliche but it could have been on purpose to fit the time period.

It was good. Sure I’ll recommend it. 3 stars in the best way.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more than I did. I’m from Pittsburgh so I enjoyed the references made to certain places in the city. That said, I found myself forcing myself to push onward with reading the book.
Should there be a sequel, I would give Wendell and Declan another chance to win me over.

[Eve H · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was neat to get some of the Pittsburgh references and it helped me understand geographically better. I was not a fan of the crimes against children and women in this one, even though the bad guys met their match in the end.

[Linda Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book well written!