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Murder Bay: A Ben Carey Mystery
"The impressive first in a historical series, which effortlessly alternates between Washington, D.C., in 1862 and the same city 95 years later...this debut shows definite promise." —Publishers Weekly
"Very nicely done...Recommended." —Library Journal
"An involving, period-perfect story. The action is fast-paced and convincing...the characters are expertly drawn." —ForeWord
No one noticed anything suspicious about the death of a wounded soldier at the height of the Civil War—not, that is, until almost a hundred years later.
In 1957, a young Washington, D.C. police sergeant, Ben Carey, heads up a team of officers in a dilapidated house three blocks from the Capitol. Though Carey's career is on the rise, his marriage is circling the drain, and as he spends more time at the office, he discovers there is something not quite right about this decaying old home. It harbors some dark secrets—connecting him to the long-dead soldier and others in ways he can't understand. With his personal life in shambles, and forces from within the house vying for his attention, Carey casts reason aside and begins an investigation to uncover the truth about what happened in this haunted place. As he peels back the layers of history, he finds courage and love, but also deception, greed, jealousy, and murder.
Twisting through time—between an America torn by Civil War and the prosperous 1950s—Murder Bay is a mystery that spans eras and the gulf dividing what can and cannot be explained.
"Very nicely done...Recommended." —Library Journal
"An involving, period-perfect story. The action is fast-paced and convincing...the characters are expertly drawn." —ForeWord
No one noticed anything suspicious about the death of a wounded soldier at the height of the Civil War—not, that is, until almost a hundred years later.
In 1957, a young Washington, D.C. police sergeant, Ben Carey, heads up a team of officers in a dilapidated house three blocks from the Capitol. Though Carey's career is on the rise, his marriage is circling the drain, and as he spends more time at the office, he discovers there is something not quite right about this decaying old home. It harbors some dark secrets—connecting him to the long-dead soldier and others in ways he can't understand. With his personal life in shambles, and forces from within the house vying for his attention, Carey casts reason aside and begins an investigation to uncover the truth about what happened in this haunted place. As he peels back the layers of history, he finds courage and love, but also deception, greed, jealousy, and murder.
Twisting through time—between an America torn by Civil War and the prosperous 1950s—Murder Bay is a mystery that spans eras and the gulf dividing what can and cannot be explained.
275 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2008
52 people are currently reading
647 people want to read
About the author
David R. Horwitz
1 book11 followersDavid R. Horwitz was born in Washington, D.C., in 1964, the first son of a D.C. police officer and a piano teacher. Raised in suburban Maryland, David read voraciously, wrote short stories, and biked to D.C. whenever he could. He played guitar and violin, performed in variety shows, and wrote silly songs inspired by a range of songwriters, from Stevie Ray Vaughn and the Grateful Dead to Billie Holiday and Cole Porter.
In college, David studied journalism and Russian, wrote for the school paper, and earned his degree in information systems management. He landed a job as a clerk typist with the federal government, taught himself computers, and rose through the ranks. Nine months after placing an ad in Washingtonian magazine, David married the author of the best reply. He inherited an orange tabby cat and later named another Monkey Boy (after a character in Mister Boffo). When he was hired as a lead programmer in 2000, he and his wife, Deirdre, bought their first home—a century-old former dairy farm in rural Minnesota.
Motivated by his passion for military history and inspired by Robert Girardi's novel, Madeline's Ghost, he wrote in earnest on nights and weekends. David's dream of writing full-time ended when he died in 2004. He left behind his wife of ten years, parents, sister, brother, five nephews, niece, and manuscripts that would become the Ben Carey mysteries. Murder Bay was his first book.
In college, David studied journalism and Russian, wrote for the school paper, and earned his degree in information systems management. He landed a job as a clerk typist with the federal government, taught himself computers, and rose through the ranks. Nine months after placing an ad in Washingtonian magazine, David married the author of the best reply. He inherited an orange tabby cat and later named another Monkey Boy (after a character in Mister Boffo). When he was hired as a lead programmer in 2000, he and his wife, Deirdre, bought their first home—a century-old former dairy farm in rural Minnesota.
Motivated by his passion for military history and inspired by Robert Girardi's novel, Madeline's Ghost, he wrote in earnest on nights and weekends. David's dream of writing full-time ended when he died in 2004. He left behind his wife of ten years, parents, sister, brother, five nephews, niece, and manuscripts that would become the Ben Carey mysteries. Murder Bay was his first book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
February 18, 2016
This was an amazing historical look at something we don't often see in stories about the Civil War. David Horwitz was a historian of the minute detail that made his story come alive with sights, sounds, and emotions. I was hooked from the beginning, and I don't usually enjoy books about the paranormal, but this story was so "normal" in that it cried out for resolution of a grave injustice and a tremendous loss that should not have happened. There is so little love in the world that what there is should be allowed to flourish and blossom and continue. So sad that David Horwitz's life ended so soon; like Stieg Larson's life, we are left without a storyteller to help us right the wrongs in our human society. Our storytellers leave us a legacy that strengthens us and enables us to pass on traditions to posterity. Our history goes before us and follows us into the future. How amazing our story is. Thank you, David Horwitz.
February 5, 2019
This is a well written unique cold case mystery that covers two historical periods; namely the Civil War era and the fifties. The characters are vividly drawn, and I found myself intrigued by the characters. I'm not much for ghost stories, but this one involves a love story, and a murder that was wrongly classified as a non homicide. The eras are authentic and even the ghosts are both frightening and add an interesting element to the plot.
January 20, 2019
This book has everything I love, i.e. history, mystery and the supernatural. Very well written with good strong characters, it passes from the Civil War era of Washington, D.C. to the late 1950's seamlessly, in the same location. This was the first and only Ben Carey Mystery as the young, talented author passed away before he could fulfill his destiny as one of the great ones. An extremely good read!
May 8, 2024
Two times connected by murder
Ben Carey is a cop, and his world is falling apart. A Korean War veteran who saw the horrors of war, he saw plenty as a cop, too. But never a ghost. That changes when he takes a new assignment that is challenging, and an old building on C Street is his headquarters. Solving a 400 year old mystery is a challenge he has no choice but to solve.
Ben Carey is a cop, and his world is falling apart. A Korean War veteran who saw the horrors of war, he saw plenty as a cop, too. But never a ghost. That changes when he takes a new assignment that is challenging, and an old building on C Street is his headquarters. Solving a 400 year old mystery is a challenge he has no choice but to solve.
February 22, 2014
This was a surprisingly good book and full of historical interest. It swings back and forth from 1950's Washington DC to the Civil war DC as a "modern day" policeman tries to solve the murder of a soldier in the very house they're using as a temporary police station. It's well enough written that both times are vivid and could stand alone but integrated into a whole it makes a crackingly good story. Oh and did I mention that the reason our hero is trying to solve the murder is because he, and others see the ghosts that are haunting the house? This book is meant to set up a series of further cold case mysteries involving the main character but, sadly, the author passed away before finishing more.
August 18, 2015
Favorable Kindle find. A likeable quick engaging read. Two men Mordechai Finkel, Civil War Union soldier 1862 and Ben Carey, Sargent in the Maryland Police Department, 1957 head up a fine cast of characters. The setting is Washington DC.
Officer Cary is assigned to head up a newly formed planning unit within the department. Headquarters for his team is the 100 year old, soon to be demolished, Victorian home of NJ Senator James Morrison.
The story easily moves between the two time periods. One part predictable two parts not. Add in the improbable. Mix in some earthbound spirits bumping about and Ben Carey finds himself being guided into solving a 100-year-old cold case of murder.
February 2, 2015
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this book. I read it in three days which is really fast for a slow reader like me. I always wanted to know what would happen next and last night I stayed awake until four in the morning reading. If you like murder mysteries, stories set in the time of the civil war as well as the 1950s, mansions with haunting histories and ghosts done right, then it's a safe bet you'll like this book. Everytime I thought I had the mysteries figured out, the author threw a curve ball. Worth reading.
November 14, 2009
This was a historical murder mystery that took place during the Civil War and 1957. It goes back and forth between the two times and is a little bit of a ghost story as well.
This book was published after the authors death in 2006. I think it was meant to be the first one in a series. I think there are more to come. It was a promising start and it's sad that the author never lived to see himself published.
This book was published after the authors death in 2006. I think it was meant to be the first one in a series. I think there are more to come. It was a promising start and it's sad that the author never lived to see himself published.
July 11, 2013
Seamlessly interwoven between the middle 1800s and the middle 1900s, a hundred-year-old murder mystery, I loved this book. It coiled, twisted and turned in a way that seemed perfectly fluid. It made sense. Even the ghosts. A cliché, but I did not want to put it down. I am so disappointed and sad to learn that the author has passed away. He would've had a long career, in my opinion.
July 15, 2013
this book has everything. top notch history. good mystery. and ghosts. this should appeal to almost everyone. everything comes together seamlessly so even if you like only one of the genres you will be satisfied. some mutigenre books are one genre with a dash of some others for spice but each facet of the book is good enough to stand alone.
July 12, 2015
What a pleasant surprise! This book was a wonderful fun read and a page turner as well. I was left guessing until the end and the ending was the perfect denouement. I am looking forward to reading additional books in this series. Sad ly, Mr. Horowitz left us far too early - he was a talented writer! Do yourself a favor and give this little gem a read.
September 23, 2011
Picked this up in the library, totally at random. It was really good---a few flaws, but still really good. The back story about the author--he died before this was published--is also riveting---and touching.
July 15, 2013
I gravitated to this title because of the premise. A Washington D.C. police officer in 1958 trying to solve the murder of a Union Soldier that took place in 1862. It is incredibly well written, I could not put the book down.
July 3, 2015
This was right up my alley. Ghosts. A historical mystery. 1950s setting. I couldn't put it down! I was saddened to read that the author had passed away in 2004, but so glad that his book was published. I wish there were more in the series.
November 6, 2021
I am a Historical Fiction fan but have been avoiding anything about our Civil War as all of the actions around it's cause, execution and final result are so depressing. But this gave. a new look and perspective to me. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 29, 2013
This book was fantastic.
The twists and turns of the plot kept me hooked till the last page.
The story was fantastic and the characters unforgettable.
The twists and turns of the plot kept me hooked till the last page.
The story was fantastic and the characters unforgettable.
May 15, 2016
I had a hard time putting this one down. Very well written mystery with the twist of taking place in two different centuries.
April 3, 2020
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Once I started I could hardly put it down. A great mystery with an unexpected twist at the end.
June 22, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this book. I was not expecting to like it as much as I did. You get two stories for the price of one and both of them are very interesting. I would definitely recommend reading this book. Unfortunately this author passed away before the printing of this book. I read that he had many manuscripts so I will keep a look out for his name to pop up. This is one set of mysteries I could get behind.
September 4, 2022
LOVED this book. This is definitely one of those books that you can't put down and that you don't even realize you're reading...it's that good. I think Horwitz did a fantastic job intertwining the two stories set nearly one hundred years apart. The twists and turns kept me guessing throughout the whole book...a nice change from a mystery book. I'll definitely be looking into more of the Ben Carey mysteries! :)
April 1, 2020
Ben Carey is a cop on the beat until he is called in and given a new job. He thinks his wife will be happy at his promotion, but not so much.
His office is in an old house, a house with secrets and maybe a ghost or two.
I enjoyed this mystery.
His office is in an old house, a house with secrets and maybe a ghost or two.
I enjoyed this mystery.
August 4, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
September 24, 2018
Quick, fun read.
November 16, 2018
Vengeful ghosts in DC
Can you imagine DC without vengeful ghosts? Loved this book. Could not put it down. Tied the past and almost present together without confusion!
Can you imagine DC without vengeful ghosts? Loved this book. Could not put it down. Tied the past and almost present together without confusion!
August 6, 2024
Great story! Ghosts, the Civil War, dirty business dealings…a little of everything!
November 30, 2013
First let me say there are some stunningly good things about this book. The history of both periods covered is brought alive through great detail (I especially loved the research Ben must do in a pre-Internet world). The writing is very good, with few small errors to interrupt the flow. The story is compelling. Why did it not get 5 stars from me? There are a few construction elements that prevented it from shining as it could.
Far too much explaining, which slows the pace and tends to pull the reader out of the story (thus the famous writers' dictum: "Show, don't tell"). The mystery is spoiled a good deal because we already know what Ben is looking for. The excellent Civil War battlefield scene that opens the book could be retained as a prologue (up to the amputation in Trinity Church), but then if the remainder held tight to Ben's point of view (whether a close third or even first person), we would enjoy being mystified along with him. So much of the history was wonderful, it was a jar to find the old documents included writing that was much too modern in tone. And while it is basically a great ghost story, the murder of Crawford pushes believability right over the edge.
Still, this is one of the few stories I've read that I would gladly read again if the author did a rewrite. Nothing essential would be lost seeing everything from Ben's point of view (even if much of what he sees/intuits/dreams is beyond his explanation). It would perhaps also give the author a better chance to show us the friendship Ben shares with Crawford, the sad acceptance of his failed marriage, his challenges at work, and the tender fragility of his new relationship (and if this was written to parallel the doomed historical relationship, both would become more poignant). (One last niggle: a phone call to announce a spouse's death?!)
Far too much explaining, which slows the pace and tends to pull the reader out of the story (thus the famous writers' dictum: "Show, don't tell"). The mystery is spoiled a good deal because we already know what Ben is looking for. The excellent Civil War battlefield scene that opens the book could be retained as a prologue (up to the amputation in Trinity Church), but then if the remainder held tight to Ben's point of view (whether a close third or even first person), we would enjoy being mystified along with him. So much of the history was wonderful, it was a jar to find the old documents included writing that was much too modern in tone. And while it is basically a great ghost story, the murder of Crawford pushes believability right over the edge.
Still, this is one of the few stories I've read that I would gladly read again if the author did a rewrite. Nothing essential would be lost seeing everything from Ben's point of view (even if much of what he sees/intuits/dreams is beyond his explanation). It would perhaps also give the author a better chance to show us the friendship Ben shares with Crawford, the sad acceptance of his failed marriage, his challenges at work, and the tender fragility of his new relationship (and if this was written to parallel the doomed historical relationship, both would become more poignant). (One last niggle: a phone call to announce a spouse's death?!)
August 12, 2015
This review is from: Murder Bay: A Ben Carey Mystery (Kindle Edition)
Murder Bay is a ghost story wrapped inside a murder mystery/police procedural. The victim was a Union Civil War solider "who died of wounds" -- or did he?
The investigating officer, Sgt. Carey opens his investigation about 90 years later, after he is is assigned to a planning, I.e., government monetary grant generating group for the DC Police which is located in an old house in the district, Sgt. Carey soon finds that the house is home to
specters. That leads him to look into the history of the house and he learns that someone did , indeed, die under questionable circumstances.
That, very briefly is the plot
I read the book on a flight across the U.S. A pleasant , almost genteel murder mystery, the ghosts don't really raise the hairs on the Reader's head but instead aid the investigation, giving Carey ghostly visual hints on where to look next.
I doubt anyone would object to anything in the book, though there is a romantic interlude that might be a bit "warm". " Murder Bay" won't keep you awake at nights reading nor make you start seeing shadowy creepies in the corner. The book reminded me of one of those movies hardly produced these days- a pleasant entertainment.
Murder Bay is a ghost story wrapped inside a murder mystery/police procedural. The victim was a Union Civil War solider "who died of wounds" -- or did he?
The investigating officer, Sgt. Carey opens his investigation about 90 years later, after he is is assigned to a planning, I.e., government monetary grant generating group for the DC Police which is located in an old house in the district, Sgt. Carey soon finds that the house is home to
specters. That leads him to look into the history of the house and he learns that someone did , indeed, die under questionable circumstances.
That, very briefly is the plot
I read the book on a flight across the U.S. A pleasant , almost genteel murder mystery, the ghosts don't really raise the hairs on the Reader's head but instead aid the investigation, giving Carey ghostly visual hints on where to look next.
I doubt anyone would object to anything in the book, though there is a romantic interlude that might be a bit "warm". " Murder Bay" won't keep you awake at nights reading nor make you start seeing shadowy creepies in the corner. The book reminded me of one of those movies hardly produced these days- a pleasant entertainment.
May 18, 2015
Murder Bay, a posthumous historical mystery by David R. Horowitz follows DC police officer Ben Carey after he’s assigned to head a new unit in the 1950s Metropolitan Police Department, based in an old residence due for demolition. While he’s dealing with a deteriorating relationship with his wife, he gets caught up in a murder that took place in Washington during the Civil War.
The first in a series of manuscripts the author wrote before his untimely demise, this is a fine blend of mystery, history, and the supernatural that will keep you reading as the author switches back and forth between 1862 and 1957. Carey finds himself doubting his sanity when he sees ghosts in the old building to which his new department has been consigned. As he digs deeper into the mystery, he finds himself on the trail of a killer long dead, and a case that is nearly a century old—a truly cold case.
The characters, ghosts included, are nicely done, and the description of the nation’s capital during the two different periods display an excellent ear and eye for history on the author’s part.
I understand there might be plans to publish more in this series, and I await them with eager anticipation
The first in a series of manuscripts the author wrote before his untimely demise, this is a fine blend of mystery, history, and the supernatural that will keep you reading as the author switches back and forth between 1862 and 1957. Carey finds himself doubting his sanity when he sees ghosts in the old building to which his new department has been consigned. As he digs deeper into the mystery, he finds himself on the trail of a killer long dead, and a case that is nearly a century old—a truly cold case.
The characters, ghosts included, are nicely done, and the description of the nation’s capital during the two different periods display an excellent ear and eye for history on the author’s part.
I understand there might be plans to publish more in this series, and I await them with eager anticipation
July 25, 2013
Murder Bay was a promising beginning for a mystery novelist. Sadly, the author passed away and it was published after his death. It does have flaws, but it also had great promise. The characters needed a bit more development, but large sections of the story were almost spot on.
The story line develops along two timelines - one during the early years of the American Civil War and the other set in 1950's. There is a strong component of "paranormal" in the story, which will appeal to some. I found it a good read, regardless of the occasional short comings. I am apt to put a book down if it bumps my sense of "suspension of disbelief". I finished Murder Bay and found it overall a good read.
It won't get a top spot on my Historical Mystery list, but if you like historical who-dunnits with a paranormal bent, you will likely find this enjoyable. Plus it was free as a Kindle download or Kindle Cloud Reader.
The story line develops along two timelines - one during the early years of the American Civil War and the other set in 1950's. There is a strong component of "paranormal" in the story, which will appeal to some. I found it a good read, regardless of the occasional short comings. I am apt to put a book down if it bumps my sense of "suspension of disbelief". I finished Murder Bay and found it overall a good read.
It won't get a top spot on my Historical Mystery list, but if you like historical who-dunnits with a paranormal bent, you will likely find this enjoyable. Plus it was free as a Kindle download or Kindle Cloud Reader.
February 24, 2016
This Ben Carey book takes us through the dissolution of his marriage, finding a new friend, and discovering that, just perhaps, ghosts are real. And that if you work hard enough, and get lucky, you can solve a murder case older than your parents.
The story starts a bit slowly, but rapidly pulls you in. I found myself liking Ben, disliking his wife exceedingly (which I think I was supposed to do), and liking the cops he worked with. Only one of them became a real person, the others were only sketches to fill in the background and make the story work.
The story moves back and forth between the early years of the Civil War - Second Manassas and forward, and the mid-1950s with most of the action set in the same house in Washington DC.
I think history buffs, murder mystery buffs, and fans of ghost stories will like this one. I very much did, and will be looking for more Ben Carey books to read.
The story starts a bit slowly, but rapidly pulls you in. I found myself liking Ben, disliking his wife exceedingly (which I think I was supposed to do), and liking the cops he worked with. Only one of them became a real person, the others were only sketches to fill in the background and make the story work.
The story moves back and forth between the early years of the Civil War - Second Manassas and forward, and the mid-1950s with most of the action set in the same house in Washington DC.
I think history buffs, murder mystery buffs, and fans of ghost stories will like this one. I very much did, and will be looking for more Ben Carey books to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews