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The Broken Detective
Private investigator Jake Joelsen is going to prison for assaulting his sick mom’s abusive boyfriend, but thanks to a suspended sentence, he has two weeks to earn as much money as possible so he can financially support his mom when he’s inside. Enter Nia Rowe, who hires Jake to find her troubled sister, Sadie, a former member of a mega-church called Watershed Moments. Jake struggles to stay sober as he encounters old haunts he’s never come to terms with, while trying to rescue Sadie from the grip of powerful people willing to do anything to protect their place on the highest rungs of society.
Paperback
Published October 15, 2025
About the author
Joel Nedecky
6 books9 followersJoel Nedecky is a high school teacher and writer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He has always loved stories, yet most of his childhood was spent playing hockey. It was not until university that he discovered a passion for all types of fiction. His short stories have appeared in Hoosier Noir 6 and 7, Dark Waters Vol. 2, and online with Punk Noir, Guilty Crime Story Magazine, Shotgun Honey, Pistol Jim Press, Close to the Bone, The Yard Crime Blog, and Urban Pigs Press. The Broken Detective is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 3, 2026
The Broken Detective is a solid chunk of Canadian noir featuring a main character I’d read again and again. PI fans will love the pitch—a missing girl, a shady pseudo-religious sect—but Joel Nedecky excels at making Winnipeg—a city I previously knew only as having had a so-so NHL franchise—pop.
A real fun read. Go check it out.
A real fun read. Go check it out.
January 13, 2026
I loved this book--it's a deep take on a beloved genre that captures the essence of old-fashioned detective novels while written with contemporary truths. Both hardboiled and achingly vulnerable, The Broken Detective is an old school private investigator thriller with emotional resonance for contemporary readers. Nedecky’s talented hand combines tenderness and tension to pull readers into an edgy, beautifully crafted mystery. Can't wait for whatever Nedecky has coming next!
November 16, 2025
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S THE BROKEN DETECTIVE ABOUT?
Our protagonist-narrator is a PI who just lost his license (a felony conviction will do that to a guy) and who is headed to prison in a couple of weeks (a felony conviction will do that to a guy). Jake's major concern at this moment is his mother—she's disabled and addicted, and cannot be trusted to pay her bills or feed herself anything but alcohol. Jake's it—but Jake's thrown all that away (also, related to his mom, but mostly because of dumb choices).
So Jake needs to make as much money as he possibly can over the next two weeks—he has a figure in mind, one he probably can't meet. But he has a goal—bank robbery is probably the most likely way to meet it, but there are problems there (aside from the legality)—he'd probably get caught (I should mention that he's a barely functional addict—which led to the dumb choices above) and then things would be worse for mom.
Thankfully, someone has a case for Jake, and she doesn't care about the licensing. Her sister has been missing, she can't go to the cops, but her sister needs to be found before it's too late for her. This woman wasn't even referred to Jake because of his skills (which is probably good). She's sent to see Jake because Jake will go to the wretched hives of scum and villainy that this woman's sister traveled in, because he belongs there, too. He won't stick out like a sore thumb, and people will talk to him.
One broken detective looking for a missing and broken woman.
This will lead him into the paths of drug dealers, questionable authorities, a cult (or is it?) that the sisters once belonged to, other questionable associates of both sisters, and possibly a shot at hope for Jake and the missing woman.
THE TITLE
I have several thoughts about the title—first, it's incredibly fitting. On the other hand...
There's part of me that wonders who the definite article is referring to—obviously, Jake's the "The" in view, we know he's broken from the get-go, and we never get anything but reinforcement of that fact. However, over the course of the novel, we meet more than one detective who fits that description. A Broken Detective or The Broken Detectives would work just as well as a title
But really, that just means the detectives we encounter are just like everyone else in the book. Everyone is broken (yes, like in reality, but it's a bit easier to see here). From the witnesses, the bystanders, the victims, the complicit, and the guilty—from the first page to the last, this book could—and possibly should—simply be called The Broken. Don't mistake broken for morally bent (or worse), but life and others have taken these people and have left them as other than they started, other than they could've been. Not whole, not intact, but broken.
But it's not, it's The Broken Detective, and it's probably up to the reader to decide if it's Jake or another candidate.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE BROKEN DETECTIVE?
I hemmed and hawed about if I should say more about the plot and characters—but after a few tries, I opted not to. Everything I tried to say felt like a spoiler—it's best if you learn about all involved the same way Jake does (or when he tells you about them, in the case of people he knows already). Because, sure, the book is about Jake looking for this woman. But really, it's about Jake figuring out who he is, who he wants to be, and if he wants to do the required work to get from here to there. So it's best for the reader to take the journey with Jake and come in with few preconceived notions.
Or so I think, anyway.
One critique I have is that I’m not sure that bringing in an church/cult from "the real world" as a comparison/parallel to the one in this book was necessary—or that the stone that Jake turned over as a result of his research was necessary. It turned a murky and questionable group (up to some horrible, repugnantly illegal stuff) into a creepy murky and questionable group (up to some horrible, repugnantly illegal stuff). Just a step too far. There was no ambiguity about the church already—I don’t see what he gained by making them worse.
Early on, I noticed something—and then backtracked to check to make sure I was right, and then watched for it going on. Nedecky cares about the last line/paragraph of a chapter. Obviously, he cares about every line and paragraph, but it feels like he puts extra care into those. Not in the way that some do to propel you into the next chapter (not that there's anything wrong with that), but it's like he knows that a chapter end is likely to be where someone puts the book down for one reason or another—and Nedecky wants to leave his reader with something to think about. It'll either be an emotional punch or a line to chew on.
I had things I needed to accomplish the night I started this, so I forced myself to put it down—but this could've easily been a one-sitting book. This novel got its hooks in me and didn't want to let go.
The ending—and the final revelations—will not make anyone happy. Well, it shouldn’t. But it will satisfy and gratify you—because of the storytelling involved, because it’s fitting, because it’s as noir as you can get. You won’t walk away with a smile on your face and a song in your heart, but you’ll walk away with that satisfaction that comes from a near-perfect execution.
I highly recommend this.
---
WHAT'S THE BROKEN DETECTIVE ABOUT?
Our protagonist-narrator is a PI who just lost his license (a felony conviction will do that to a guy) and who is headed to prison in a couple of weeks (a felony conviction will do that to a guy). Jake's major concern at this moment is his mother—she's disabled and addicted, and cannot be trusted to pay her bills or feed herself anything but alcohol. Jake's it—but Jake's thrown all that away (also, related to his mom, but mostly because of dumb choices).
So Jake needs to make as much money as he possibly can over the next two weeks—he has a figure in mind, one he probably can't meet. But he has a goal—bank robbery is probably the most likely way to meet it, but there are problems there (aside from the legality)—he'd probably get caught (I should mention that he's a barely functional addict—which led to the dumb choices above) and then things would be worse for mom.
Thankfully, someone has a case for Jake, and she doesn't care about the licensing. Her sister has been missing, she can't go to the cops, but her sister needs to be found before it's too late for her. This woman wasn't even referred to Jake because of his skills (which is probably good). She's sent to see Jake because Jake will go to the wretched hives of scum and villainy that this woman's sister traveled in, because he belongs there, too. He won't stick out like a sore thumb, and people will talk to him.
One broken detective looking for a missing and broken woman.
This will lead him into the paths of drug dealers, questionable authorities, a cult (or is it?) that the sisters once belonged to, other questionable associates of both sisters, and possibly a shot at hope for Jake and the missing woman.
THE TITLE
I have several thoughts about the title—first, it's incredibly fitting. On the other hand...
There's part of me that wonders who the definite article is referring to—obviously, Jake's the "The" in view, we know he's broken from the get-go, and we never get anything but reinforcement of that fact. However, over the course of the novel, we meet more than one detective who fits that description. A Broken Detective or The Broken Detectives would work just as well as a title
But really, that just means the detectives we encounter are just like everyone else in the book. Everyone is broken (yes, like in reality, but it's a bit easier to see here). From the witnesses, the bystanders, the victims, the complicit, and the guilty—from the first page to the last, this book could—and possibly should—simply be called The Broken. Don't mistake broken for morally bent (or worse), but life and others have taken these people and have left them as other than they started, other than they could've been. Not whole, not intact, but broken.
But it's not, it's The Broken Detective, and it's probably up to the reader to decide if it's Jake or another candidate.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE BROKEN DETECTIVE?
I hemmed and hawed about if I should say more about the plot and characters—but after a few tries, I opted not to. Everything I tried to say felt like a spoiler—it's best if you learn about all involved the same way Jake does (or when he tells you about them, in the case of people he knows already). Because, sure, the book is about Jake looking for this woman. But really, it's about Jake figuring out who he is, who he wants to be, and if he wants to do the required work to get from here to there. So it's best for the reader to take the journey with Jake and come in with few preconceived notions.
Or so I think, anyway.
One critique I have is that I’m not sure that bringing in an church/cult from "the real world" as a comparison/parallel to the one in this book was necessary—or that the stone that Jake turned over as a result of his research was necessary. It turned a murky and questionable group (up to some horrible, repugnantly illegal stuff) into a creepy murky and questionable group (up to some horrible, repugnantly illegal stuff). Just a step too far. There was no ambiguity about the church already—I don’t see what he gained by making them worse.
Early on, I noticed something—and then backtracked to check to make sure I was right, and then watched for it going on. Nedecky cares about the last line/paragraph of a chapter. Obviously, he cares about every line and paragraph, but it feels like he puts extra care into those. Not in the way that some do to propel you into the next chapter (not that there's anything wrong with that), but it's like he knows that a chapter end is likely to be where someone puts the book down for one reason or another—and Nedecky wants to leave his reader with something to think about. It'll either be an emotional punch or a line to chew on.
I had things I needed to accomplish the night I started this, so I forced myself to put it down—but this could've easily been a one-sitting book. This novel got its hooks in me and didn't want to let go.
The ending—and the final revelations—will not make anyone happy. Well, it shouldn’t. But it will satisfy and gratify you—because of the storytelling involved, because it’s fitting, because it’s as noir as you can get. You won’t walk away with a smile on your face and a song in your heart, but you’ll walk away with that satisfaction that comes from a near-perfect execution.
I highly recommend this.
October 18, 2025
THE BROKEN DETECTIVE is an impressive debut. Nedecky writes a compelling narrative about a flawed investigator, Jake Joelson, while weaving in themes of family, love and addiction. He keeps the reader guessing right up to the last page. Well done Joel.
February 3, 2026
Set mostly in Winnipeg in the late 2010s, The Broken Detective is a P.I. procedural story involving a missing person case. Jake Joelsen is a damaged, hard living investigator who’s currently unlicensed and due to soon begin a prison stretch for a violent assault. Yet a young woman hires him to find her 23-year-old sister, who’s gone missing.
Joelsen’s investigation quickly centers around a mega church to which the absent young woman has been attached. His ever-twisting path leads him to discover that the beloved church and its powerful leader have been secretly engaged in acts such as sex trafficking of minors, illegal drug manufacture and distribution, and polygamy. Joelsen knows this corrupt establishment is a dangerous cult and that the more he learns about their doings, the closer he’ll get to solving the mystery of what’s happened to the young woman at the center of his case. But probing into the hidden dealings of such a formidable religious institution is asking for the deepest kind of trouble.
Nedecky’s book is well-handled. The word-for-word writing flows seamlessly and is natural, never forced. The plot is evenly paced, keeping you guessing without dragging. The suspense is taut. Joelsen and all the other characters are well-drawn and believable. The author does a great job of creating a vivid picture of time and place. The novel is edgy and tough without having to try too hard to have those qualities. Noir enthusiasts should appreciate the read, but you don’t have to be a noir head to get something out of it; you just have to be able to enjoy a strong work of fiction.
Joelsen’s investigation quickly centers around a mega church to which the absent young woman has been attached. His ever-twisting path leads him to discover that the beloved church and its powerful leader have been secretly engaged in acts such as sex trafficking of minors, illegal drug manufacture and distribution, and polygamy. Joelsen knows this corrupt establishment is a dangerous cult and that the more he learns about their doings, the closer he’ll get to solving the mystery of what’s happened to the young woman at the center of his case. But probing into the hidden dealings of such a formidable religious institution is asking for the deepest kind of trouble.
Nedecky’s book is well-handled. The word-for-word writing flows seamlessly and is natural, never forced. The plot is evenly paced, keeping you guessing without dragging. The suspense is taut. Joelsen and all the other characters are well-drawn and believable. The author does a great job of creating a vivid picture of time and place. The novel is edgy and tough without having to try too hard to have those qualities. Noir enthusiasts should appreciate the read, but you don’t have to be a noir head to get something out of it; you just have to be able to enjoy a strong work of fiction.
November 24, 2025
Joel Nedecky’s THE BROKEN DETECTIVE details a two-week period in which PI Jake Joelsen tries to complete a missing-persons case before heading to prison for assault, pulling together enough money to make sure his mother is cared for during his absence.
Jake’s character is complex, fighting the demons of addiction and anger while doing his best to help the down-and-out that society has discarded. As the current case unfolds, his backstory is revealed during flashbacks, offering details without slowing the story’s pace.
While establishing his lead character, Nedecky also does a wonderful job of creating a living, breathing city, making me feel like I’ve been to Winnipeg and walked its dark-and-dingy mean streets. Truly excellent work with characterization and setting throughout.
The mystery in the front-end of the book builds to a wild ride on the back-end, full of twists and turns, packed with action, and tinged with a little heartache. A superb debut that I heartily recommend. Here’s hoping there’s more to Joelsen’s story down the road.
Jake’s character is complex, fighting the demons of addiction and anger while doing his best to help the down-and-out that society has discarded. As the current case unfolds, his backstory is revealed during flashbacks, offering details without slowing the story’s pace.
While establishing his lead character, Nedecky also does a wonderful job of creating a living, breathing city, making me feel like I’ve been to Winnipeg and walked its dark-and-dingy mean streets. Truly excellent work with characterization and setting throughout.
The mystery in the front-end of the book builds to a wild ride on the back-end, full of twists and turns, packed with action, and tinged with a little heartache. A superb debut that I heartily recommend. Here’s hoping there’s more to Joelsen’s story down the road.
November 25, 2025
The Broken Detective is an excellent and gritty Canadian set P.I. noir. Jake Joelson is going to prison for assault, but has to make as much money as possible in order to take care of his mother while he is away. He’s hired to find Sadie Rowe, who, before her disappearance, was connected to a creepy and powerful church that practices polygamy. First time novelist Joel Nedecky spins a tough and deeply entertaining tale that feels heavily drawn from personal experiences. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!
December 2, 2025
This is one of those books which seems like it could be set at any time - it touches on such pervasive and universal issues. It’s a thoughtful book, which uses character development or highlight the humanity behind motivation. I really liked it. It is a good blend of entertainment and thoughtfulness which makes you feel like you’ve read something with real substance.
October 2, 2025
The Broken Detective by Joel Nedecky is a gripping entry in the classic crime fiction genre. It’s a true page-turner, driven by an intriguing storyline involving a missing person and a detective grappling with personal demons.
The novel explores heavy themes such as substance abuse, addiction, the exploitation of youth, and the dangers of those who hide behind religion. Nedecky paints a vivid picture of Winnipeg—my hometown—rendering the city almost as a character in its own right. Those who have lived or grown up there will recognize the complex love-hate relationship many have with it.
Most impressive of all, Nedecky has crafted a compelling protagonist: a detective who is as tough as nails yet achingly vulnerable.
Fans of crime fiction—and readers who enjoy authors like Dennis Lehane, George Pelecanos, or Sam Wiebe—will find much to admire in this powerful debut from a promising new voice.
The novel explores heavy themes such as substance abuse, addiction, the exploitation of youth, and the dangers of those who hide behind religion. Nedecky paints a vivid picture of Winnipeg—my hometown—rendering the city almost as a character in its own right. Those who have lived or grown up there will recognize the complex love-hate relationship many have with it.
Most impressive of all, Nedecky has crafted a compelling protagonist: a detective who is as tough as nails yet achingly vulnerable.
Fans of crime fiction—and readers who enjoy authors like Dennis Lehane, George Pelecanos, or Sam Wiebe—will find much to admire in this powerful debut from a promising new voice.
October 18, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage for an advance reader copy. If you want a synopsis, click on the book.
This is an impressive debut. It has a different, unusual plot with lots of flawed characters and twists. On top of all that, the ending is both surprising and satisfying. Overall, a well-crafted debut novel that's worth reading.
This is an impressive debut. It has a different, unusual plot with lots of flawed characters and twists. On top of all that, the ending is both surprising and satisfying. Overall, a well-crafted debut novel that's worth reading.
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November 30, 2025📚The Broken Detective
✍🏻Joel Nedecky
Blurb:
Private investigator Jake Joelsen is going to prison for assaulting his sick mom’s abusive boyfriend, but thanks to a suspended sentence, he has two weeks to earn as much money as possible so he can financially support his mom when he’s inside. Enter Nia Rowe, who hires Jake to find her troubled sister, Sadie, a former member of a mega-church called Watershed Moments. Jake struggles to stay sober as he encounters old haunts he’s never come to terms with, while trying to rescue Sadie from the grip of powerful people willing to do anything to protect their place on the highest rungs of society.
My Thoughts:
Joel Nedecky’s THE BROKEN DETECTIVE details a two-week period in which PI Jake Joelsen tries to complete a missing-persons case before heading to prison for assault, pulling together enough money to make sure his mother is cared for during his absence.
Jake’s character is complex, fighting the demons of addiction and anger while doing his best to help the down-and-out that society has discarded. As the current case unfolds, his backstory is revealed during flashbacks, offering details without slowing the story’s pace.
While establishing his lead character, Nedecky also does a wonderful job of creating a living, breathing city, making me feel like I’ve been to Winnipeg and walked its dark-and-dingy mean streets. Truly excellent work with characterization and setting throughout.
The mystery in the front-end of the book builds to a wild ride on the back-end, full of twists and turns, packed with action, and tinged with a little heartache. A superb debut that I heartily recommend. Here’s hoping there’s more to Joelsen’s story down the road.
Thanks NetGalley, Runamok Books and Author Joel Nedecky for the advanced copy of "The Broken Detective" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#RunamokBooks
#JoelNedecky
#TheBrokenDetective
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Joel Nedecky
Blurb:
Private investigator Jake Joelsen is going to prison for assaulting his sick mom’s abusive boyfriend, but thanks to a suspended sentence, he has two weeks to earn as much money as possible so he can financially support his mom when he’s inside. Enter Nia Rowe, who hires Jake to find her troubled sister, Sadie, a former member of a mega-church called Watershed Moments. Jake struggles to stay sober as he encounters old haunts he’s never come to terms with, while trying to rescue Sadie from the grip of powerful people willing to do anything to protect their place on the highest rungs of society.
My Thoughts:
Joel Nedecky’s THE BROKEN DETECTIVE details a two-week period in which PI Jake Joelsen tries to complete a missing-persons case before heading to prison for assault, pulling together enough money to make sure his mother is cared for during his absence.
Jake’s character is complex, fighting the demons of addiction and anger while doing his best to help the down-and-out that society has discarded. As the current case unfolds, his backstory is revealed during flashbacks, offering details without slowing the story’s pace.
While establishing his lead character, Nedecky also does a wonderful job of creating a living, breathing city, making me feel like I’ve been to Winnipeg and walked its dark-and-dingy mean streets. Truly excellent work with characterization and setting throughout.
The mystery in the front-end of the book builds to a wild ride on the back-end, full of twists and turns, packed with action, and tinged with a little heartache. A superb debut that I heartily recommend. Here’s hoping there’s more to Joelsen’s story down the road.
Thanks NetGalley, Runamok Books and Author Joel Nedecky for the advanced copy of "The Broken Detective" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#RunamokBooks
#JoelNedecky
#TheBrokenDetective
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 11, 2025
Joel Nedecky’s The Broken Detective is a gripping and gritty noir that digs deep into the fractured psyche of its flawed yet compelling protagonist, Jake Joelsen. A private investigator staring down a prison sentence for defending his sick mother against her abusive boyfriend, Jake is a man living on borrowed time—two weeks, to be exact. With his freedom ticking away, he takes on one last case to earn enough money to care for his mother while he’s behind bars.
Enter Nia Rowe, desperate to find her missing sister, Sadie—a woman whose disappearance is tangled in the shadowy world of a powerful mega-church known as Watershed Moments. What begins as a straightforward missing-persons case soon descends into a dark maze of manipulation, corruption, and moral compromise.
Nedecky’s prose is raw, immersive, and cinematic. He paints a world where faith is twisted by greed, and redemption is a luxury few can afford. Jake’s internal battle with sobriety adds an emotional depth rarely seen in detective fiction; he’s not just chasing leads, but also running from his own demons. Each scene pulses with tension and authenticity, from the seedy corners of the city to the deceptive calm of church sanctuaries hiding dangerous secrets.
The pacing is tight, the dialogue sharp, and the moral dilemmas cut deep. Nedecky doesn’t just deliver a mystery—he gives readers a character study of a man trying to do the right thing in a world that keeps dragging him down.
The Broken Detective is a haunting, character-driven thriller that lingers long after the final page. Fans of hard-boiled crime fiction and gritty psychological suspense will find this a standout read.
Alan R. Warren
Best-selling actual crime Author of ' Peace, Love, & Murder: The Charles Manson Story
NBC News Radio host
Enter Nia Rowe, desperate to find her missing sister, Sadie—a woman whose disappearance is tangled in the shadowy world of a powerful mega-church known as Watershed Moments. What begins as a straightforward missing-persons case soon descends into a dark maze of manipulation, corruption, and moral compromise.
Nedecky’s prose is raw, immersive, and cinematic. He paints a world where faith is twisted by greed, and redemption is a luxury few can afford. Jake’s internal battle with sobriety adds an emotional depth rarely seen in detective fiction; he’s not just chasing leads, but also running from his own demons. Each scene pulses with tension and authenticity, from the seedy corners of the city to the deceptive calm of church sanctuaries hiding dangerous secrets.
The pacing is tight, the dialogue sharp, and the moral dilemmas cut deep. Nedecky doesn’t just deliver a mystery—he gives readers a character study of a man trying to do the right thing in a world that keeps dragging him down.
The Broken Detective is a haunting, character-driven thriller that lingers long after the final page. Fans of hard-boiled crime fiction and gritty psychological suspense will find this a standout read.
Alan R. Warren
Best-selling actual crime Author of ' Peace, Love, & Murder: The Charles Manson Story
NBC News Radio host
December 31, 2025
I've been looking forward to reading THE BROKEN DETECTIVE, the debut novel by crime writer Joel Nedecky, and was jazzed to finally get my hands on it. This novel definitely did not disappoint, and even exceeded my already high expectations.
Jake Joelsen is a private eye who's going to prison for beating up his mother's abusive boyfriend. He has just two weeks to raise enough money for his troubled mother to live off while he's inside, and is debating going cold turkey from his self-abusive use of booze and drugs. Enter the mysterious Nia, who hires Jake to find her missing sister who has recently left a megachurch cult.
From this great set-up, Nedecky doesn't hesitate in jumping in feet first into a rich cast of characters that include a female bodybuilder with a heart of gold, a strip owner who grew up with Jake in foster care, a double-dealing cop who aids Jake in his search, and other colorful characters from Nedecky's native Winnipeg. In Nedecky's hands, the city's cold streets and underbelly comes alive on the page, and is a lot of fun to explore alongside Joelsen, who is an excellent, deeply realized protagonist - searching for the truth, unable to stop himself from helping any underdog he comes across, while battling his own trauma and demons as he searches for redemption.
In his debut outing, Joel Nedecky is an assured and confident writer. In this book, he is working masterfully within familiar detective fiction territory, but also brings a depth and sensitivity to the world he creates. THE BROKEN DETECTIVE is a great crime novel and I can't wait to read the next book by this great new voice in the scene.
Jake Joelsen is a private eye who's going to prison for beating up his mother's abusive boyfriend. He has just two weeks to raise enough money for his troubled mother to live off while he's inside, and is debating going cold turkey from his self-abusive use of booze and drugs. Enter the mysterious Nia, who hires Jake to find her missing sister who has recently left a megachurch cult.
From this great set-up, Nedecky doesn't hesitate in jumping in feet first into a rich cast of characters that include a female bodybuilder with a heart of gold, a strip owner who grew up with Jake in foster care, a double-dealing cop who aids Jake in his search, and other colorful characters from Nedecky's native Winnipeg. In Nedecky's hands, the city's cold streets and underbelly comes alive on the page, and is a lot of fun to explore alongside Joelsen, who is an excellent, deeply realized protagonist - searching for the truth, unable to stop himself from helping any underdog he comes across, while battling his own trauma and demons as he searches for redemption.
In his debut outing, Joel Nedecky is an assured and confident writer. In this book, he is working masterfully within familiar detective fiction territory, but also brings a depth and sensitivity to the world he creates. THE BROKEN DETECTIVE is a great crime novel and I can't wait to read the next book by this great new voice in the scene.
September 11, 2025
Private investigator Jake Joelson doesn't regret assaulting his sick mom's abusive boyfriend but he's unprepared for the jail sentence he receives as a result. Now he has two weeks to get his affairs in order and that means making enough money to support her financially while he's inside. Enter Nia Rowe who's looking for her lost sister, formerly a member of a cult-like mega-church. With the clock ticking down on his freedom and struggling with his new state of sobriety, Jake takes on the case that launches him back to old haunts he'd rather stay away from and ruthless people who'll stop at nothing to hold on to their power.
THE BROKEN DETECTIVE, Joel Nedecky’s debut novel, is one of the grittiest and most compelling examples of crime noir I’ve read in recent years, featuring private investigator, Jake Joelson, the kind of flawed, cynical but big-hearted anti-hero that readers can root for in a big way. Authentic dialogue, lean, detailed prose with moments of breathtaking lyricism and an underlying current of wry humour make this an intense page-turner. Add to that a cast of genuine, complex characters and an original and fast-paced plot revolving around corruption and indoctrination in a powerful religious cult and you have a stunning debut by an exciting new crime author.
THE BROKEN DETECTIVE, Joel Nedecky’s debut novel, is one of the grittiest and most compelling examples of crime noir I’ve read in recent years, featuring private investigator, Jake Joelson, the kind of flawed, cynical but big-hearted anti-hero that readers can root for in a big way. Authentic dialogue, lean, detailed prose with moments of breathtaking lyricism and an underlying current of wry humour make this an intense page-turner. Add to that a cast of genuine, complex characters and an original and fast-paced plot revolving around corruption and indoctrination in a powerful religious cult and you have a stunning debut by an exciting new crime author.
October 4, 2025
The Broken Detective reminded me why I love crime fiction. Over the late summer, I read some Joyce and a book about Herbert Huncke. They were great reads and it's good to branch out, but my heart has always belonged to crime. Crumley, Price, Leonard, all of my heroes. It's abundantly clear that Joel Nedecky has studied the masters because it's echoed in the story. This novel is fast-paced, gripping, tight, gritty, expertly plotted and above all, authentic. It's been a pleasure to read Joel's work for awhile now and I'm happy that he's put out a novel. I sense there's more to come and we should all be happy for that. Jake Joelson might not be able to have a drink, but dammit I'll have one for him.
September 11, 2025
I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of The Broken Detective, and it is that rare breed of crime fiction that skillfully walks a tightrope between heavy themes and nimble plotting. The mood is dark throughout but there are moments of levity.
This is a real throwback to older PI/crime novels, and it puts Winnipeg on the noir map.
A ticking clock propels the narrative, yet it still finds time for moments of introspection. Like all good PI stories, it twists and turns with a motley crew of misfits while shining light on the dark underbelly of our world.
This is a real throwback to older PI/crime novels, and it puts Winnipeg on the noir map.
A ticking clock propels the narrative, yet it still finds time for moments of introspection. Like all good PI stories, it twists and turns with a motley crew of misfits while shining light on the dark underbelly of our world.
October 6, 2025
In The Broken Detective, Joel Nedecky conjures a mystery deeper than any plot or familiar narrative can deliver. How is it that one can care more for another than for oneself? The answer, of course, is love. Or personal obligation. Or faith. Or some distant promise one makes…Or perhaps the best of us are addicted to being needed. Despite his failures and inadequacies, Jake is more assembled than most of us ever will be—here, Nedecky has crafted a necessary and modern yarn for the rich tradition of detective fiction.
December 16, 2025
A fantastic crime novel that feels so true to life that I’m still thinking about the characters and the decisions they made.
Joel Nedecky tackles difficult topics, including abuse and trauma, and does so with care and confidence. The characters never change easily, and their choices aren’t always what we might expect from a traditional “good guy.” Instead, they make decisions that feel real, sometimes tragic and frustrating, but always honest to the story.
The writing is strong, the pace is fast, and the ending felt tragic to me, but in exactly the right way. A wonderful debut novel.
Joel Nedecky tackles difficult topics, including abuse and trauma, and does so with care and confidence. The characters never change easily, and their choices aren’t always what we might expect from a traditional “good guy.” Instead, they make decisions that feel real, sometimes tragic and frustrating, but always honest to the story.
The writing is strong, the pace is fast, and the ending felt tragic to me, but in exactly the right way. A wonderful debut novel.
September 30, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. Dark, gritty, with interesting but flawed characters, it's a modern noir that keeps you hooked from the beginning. The cast of characters are either enjoyably dislikable or, as the title suggests, likably damaged, and the setting of Winnipeg is one I'd not visited before and made for an compelling backdrop to the action. If you like Chandler and Hammet, you could do a lot worse than get to know Nedecky's central character, Jake Joelsen.
January 1, 2026
The Broken Detective is a gritty, powerful piece of neo-noir fiction that managed to surprise me right up until he very end. Nedecky does a masterful job of making his characters feel like living, breathing people. The main character is deeply flawed, but in a way that feels believable and engaging; you can't help but to root for the guy even if you might not always like him as a person. That's a tough trick to pull off, and Nedecky does so here with grace. Highly recommended!
September 15, 2025
Joel Nedecky’s debut, The Broken Detective, is dark, twisty, and uncompromising. It’s a bruising noir filled with broken glass, broken promises, and one desperately broken but unforgettable protagonist in PI Jake Joelson, who learns not everyone deserves saving, least of all himself. I had the chance to read this early, and I'm glad I did.
October 30, 2025
In The Broken Detective, Joel Nedecky does Winnipeg like Hugh Garner did Toronto in The Sin Sniper, picking apart Hometown, Canada's zealotry, exploitation, and violence right along with the fuels of its addictions. No one is simply good or bad here. They simply are. That's what makes them real human characters. Full marks.
January 27, 2026
The Broken Detective was gripping—I couldn’t put it down! The anti-hero has that Jack Reacher vibe: smart, tough, and morally complex. Joel’s writing kept me hooked the whole way, and I’m already counting the days until the sequel—or his next novel!
January 19, 2026
In the interests of full disclosure, I should point out that I served as the developmental editor on an early draft of The Broken Detective before its Crime Writers of Canada nomination for best unpublished manuscript.
A taught, gritty crime novel that wastes no time in getting up to speed and carries forward with grim momentum and realistic violence that never feels affected or performative. Nedecky gives us Winnipeg the same way Sam Wiebe gives us Vancouver, and I can't wait to see what comes next for Jake Joelson.
A taught, gritty crime novel that wastes no time in getting up to speed and carries forward with grim momentum and realistic violence that never feels affected or performative. Nedecky gives us Winnipeg the same way Sam Wiebe gives us Vancouver, and I can't wait to see what comes next for Jake Joelson.
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