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Zachary Goldman Mysteries #1
She Wore Mourning
A dead child.
A mother deep in mourning.
Private Investigator Zachary Goldman’s life isn’t all roses, but he tries to put his own shattered life behind him to investigate the death of five-year-old Declan Bond.
Declan’s death has been ruled an accident, but his grandmother thinks there is more to it. She fears Declan’s mother will not be able to find peace until Zachary can give them an answer once and for all. But as Zachary digs into the circumstances surrounding Declan’s death, he finds that all is not as it seems, and somebody doesn’t want him to find the truth.
Zachary Goldman, Private Investigator, is flawed with a capital F. Shattered by the tragedies of his own life, he will somehow still manage to pick himself up and dig just a little bit deeper than anyone else to find the vital clues.
Maybe being broken makes it easier for others who have faced tragedy to trust him. Walk with Zachary as he solves cases that will stretch his abilities to the limit.
Even with his own life in shambles, Zachary Goldman is still the one you want on the case.
Investigate this P.I. mystery now!
A mother deep in mourning.
Private Investigator Zachary Goldman’s life isn’t all roses, but he tries to put his own shattered life behind him to investigate the death of five-year-old Declan Bond.
Declan’s death has been ruled an accident, but his grandmother thinks there is more to it. She fears Declan’s mother will not be able to find peace until Zachary can give them an answer once and for all. But as Zachary digs into the circumstances surrounding Declan’s death, he finds that all is not as it seems, and somebody doesn’t want him to find the truth.
Zachary Goldman, Private Investigator, is flawed with a capital F. Shattered by the tragedies of his own life, he will somehow still manage to pick himself up and dig just a little bit deeper than anyone else to find the vital clues.
Maybe being broken makes it easier for others who have faced tragedy to trust him. Walk with Zachary as he solves cases that will stretch his abilities to the limit.
Even with his own life in shambles, Zachary Goldman is still the one you want on the case.
Investigate this P.I. mystery now!
698 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2017
1319 people are currently reading
1130 people want to read
About the author
P.D. Workman
230 books501 followersAward-winning Canadian author P.D. Workman has written over a hundred addictive page-turners featuring diverse and divergent sleuths, high-stakes investigations, and stories that linger long after the last page. Her books dive deep into characters’ minds while exploring timely social issues through fast-paced, emotionally charged plots. Readers praise her work for its powerful emotional truth combined with unputdownable suspense.
Shunning sleep, when Workman is not writing, formatting, or marketing, she’s probably running, reading, or spending time with her family.
Check out her catalogue at pdworkman.com to start your next page-turner and sign up for news and special deals.
Shunning sleep, when Workman is not writing, formatting, or marketing, she’s probably running, reading, or spending time with her family.
Check out her catalogue at pdworkman.com to start your next page-turner and sign up for news and special deals.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 115 reviews
February 16, 2023
I would classify this novel as a psychological thriller since each of the fully fleshed-out believable characters, including the protagonist, suffer from mental disorders. The story is compelling and hard to put down. I listened to the audible version which is skillfully narrated by A.J.Shuck. I am looking forward to reading more in the Zachary Goldman Mysteries Series.
March 2, 2020
PI Investigates His Own Demons as Well as the Crime’s
In She Wore Mourning, Private Investigator Zachary Goldman takes on a gut-wrenching case when he investigates the drowning death of a five-year-old boy. Ruled an accident by the police, the boy’s grandmother wants closure and hires Goldman for a second opinion. Goldman has his suspicions, but he has nothing sufficient for law enforcement to re-open the investigation. Things seem at an impasse, then someone tries to kill him. But is the attempt on his life because of this case or some other that he’s working? He can’t be sure. And if it is this case, who’s responsible for the boy’s death? A pedophile who abducted the boy from his unlocked, backyard and then killed him? One or both of the parents? A forensic scientist in training who seems a bit too interested in Goldman’s case? Even the grandmother doesn’t escape Goldman’s scrutiny. Kudos to the author for keeping the suspense high, dangling several viable suspects in front of our eyes.
Character development is a major strength of the book. Author Workman skillfully portrays the murdered boy’s parents as sufferers of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), although with differing manifestations. “Spencer was neat and tidy, and Isabella was a collector.” Goldman is also non-neurotypical, although his diagnosis is not so neatly wrapped up with a single label in the book. Chronic depression, suicidal tendencies, ADHD, and even antipsychotic medications (Risperdal) get mentioned. Sometimes, we (the readers) get a glimpse into how Goldman’s paranoia and anxieties bolster his investigative skills. At one point, he even uses examples of his own maladaptive behaviors to get a suspect to open up about his. But we also get to see how they hamper his life. He ends up fighting his own demons almost as much as fighting the one that killed the young boy.
Although a strength, there is also a downside to a book that’s dominated by characters with mental illnesses and their stock diagnoses. One or two damaged characters can add interest to a story, but when everyone is flawed, damaged becomes the new typical. Goldman’s tendencies also make him something of an antihero; some of his behaviors are quite distasteful. His new romantic interest could excuse them—which makes her seem too good to be true—but I found it more difficult to do so. Goldman is also a bit difficult to admire for his investigative skills. He went beyond suspicion to name a killer several times before the real culprit was identified. And when the case was solved, it wasn’t Goldman who did. But then, I suspect all of this was the author’s intent—to create a central character that we esteem for his determination to live life as best he can while we often dislike what he does.
Overall, She Wore Mourning is a well-written book with plenty of suspense and a main character you may admire and dislike at the same time. But that’s what makes this story worth your time.
In She Wore Mourning, Private Investigator Zachary Goldman takes on a gut-wrenching case when he investigates the drowning death of a five-year-old boy. Ruled an accident by the police, the boy’s grandmother wants closure and hires Goldman for a second opinion. Goldman has his suspicions, but he has nothing sufficient for law enforcement to re-open the investigation. Things seem at an impasse, then someone tries to kill him. But is the attempt on his life because of this case or some other that he’s working? He can’t be sure. And if it is this case, who’s responsible for the boy’s death? A pedophile who abducted the boy from his unlocked, backyard and then killed him? One or both of the parents? A forensic scientist in training who seems a bit too interested in Goldman’s case? Even the grandmother doesn’t escape Goldman’s scrutiny. Kudos to the author for keeping the suspense high, dangling several viable suspects in front of our eyes.
Character development is a major strength of the book. Author Workman skillfully portrays the murdered boy’s parents as sufferers of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), although with differing manifestations. “Spencer was neat and tidy, and Isabella was a collector.” Goldman is also non-neurotypical, although his diagnosis is not so neatly wrapped up with a single label in the book. Chronic depression, suicidal tendencies, ADHD, and even antipsychotic medications (Risperdal) get mentioned. Sometimes, we (the readers) get a glimpse into how Goldman’s paranoia and anxieties bolster his investigative skills. At one point, he even uses examples of his own maladaptive behaviors to get a suspect to open up about his. But we also get to see how they hamper his life. He ends up fighting his own demons almost as much as fighting the one that killed the young boy.
Although a strength, there is also a downside to a book that’s dominated by characters with mental illnesses and their stock diagnoses. One or two damaged characters can add interest to a story, but when everyone is flawed, damaged becomes the new typical. Goldman’s tendencies also make him something of an antihero; some of his behaviors are quite distasteful. His new romantic interest could excuse them—which makes her seem too good to be true—but I found it more difficult to do so. Goldman is also a bit difficult to admire for his investigative skills. He went beyond suspicion to name a killer several times before the real culprit was identified. And when the case was solved, it wasn’t Goldman who did. But then, I suspect all of this was the author’s intent—to create a central character that we esteem for his determination to live life as best he can while we often dislike what he does.
Overall, She Wore Mourning is a well-written book with plenty of suspense and a main character you may admire and dislike at the same time. But that’s what makes this story worth your time.
December 27, 2020
In some ways, this was a good mystery, but it's too flawed to rate it any higher than three stars, which is being generous. For one, I usually love flawed heroes, but the PI in this book is just too flawed. He's pathetic and, often, too stupid to live. I liked him okay, but more, I simply felt sorry for him. He was too broken, too weak, too clueless to really care deeply about. For another, the book is just too full of implausibility to get behind. I'm willing to suspend my disbelief and some of that is necessary with many reading experiences, but this book stretched it too far.
November 29, 2020
Zachary Goldman got into being a PI because of his skill with a camera, a desire to make a difference in people’s lives, and to exonerate the innocent. Most days, though, he “destroys lives,” by proving infidelity and malfeasance. The grandmother of a five-year-old whose death has been ruled an accident comes to him for help proving it’s something more and he jumps at the chance to bring closure to the family. The parents are both Obsessive Compulsive Disorder sufferers, and mediocre parents. As Zachary digs into the case, he finds out all is not what it seems and someone doesn’t want him to investigate.
Zachary is an interesting, flawed character. He’s depressed, possibly suicidal, and struggling with the after-effects of a miserable childhood and a miserable marriage where he and his wife never recovered from the death of their first child. He’s kind of a sad sack, and does some questionable things regarding people he cares about. Yet there’s still something in him that caused me to root for him and want him to succeed. He still manages to put one foot in front of the other, and treat his clients with respect and dignity. He’s conscious about not taking advantage of people, charging them only for the work he does, and he doesn’t oversell himself.
The author does a good job of setting the scene and providing depth to the characters, even the secondary ones. She manages to make the unlikeable characters (like the parents) seem human. Suspects were plentiful and the ending was a surprise. I will read more in this series.
Zachary is an interesting, flawed character. He’s depressed, possibly suicidal, and struggling with the after-effects of a miserable childhood and a miserable marriage where he and his wife never recovered from the death of their first child. He’s kind of a sad sack, and does some questionable things regarding people he cares about. Yet there’s still something in him that caused me to root for him and want him to succeed. He still manages to put one foot in front of the other, and treat his clients with respect and dignity. He’s conscious about not taking advantage of people, charging them only for the work he does, and he doesn’t oversell himself.
The author does a good job of setting the scene and providing depth to the characters, even the secondary ones. She manages to make the unlikeable characters (like the parents) seem human. Suspects were plentiful and the ending was a surprise. I will read more in this series.
October 12, 2020
Private investigator Zachary Goldman is introduced in She Wore Mourning, the first book in P.D. Workman's new series. Zachary is a true to life PI doing the grunt work detection that you rarely see on tv. As we meet him, he's been asked to uncover the truth about the death of a young boy whose drowning death has been ruled an accident.
This series is not for the faint of heart. There are many emotionally charged topics covered - and this is just book 1! That being said, it is a great read with many curveballs sprinkled throughout.
This series is not for the faint of heart. There are many emotionally charged topics covered - and this is just book 1! That being said, it is a great read with many curveballs sprinkled throughout.
August 30, 2021
*spoilers*
I stayed up late to read this novel. I didn’t have my phone so I didn’t realize it was after midnight. Obviously, I was engrossed enough to stay up to finish it.
I had read Gem, Himself, Alone also by this author a day prior, and found it to be a bit of an odd story. I liked it but didn’t get into it as much as I thought. I was looking forward to reading another book by this author since the writing was very fast-paced and didn’t seem to slog.
I started She Wore Mourning with the knowledge it deals with heavier topics but was not satisfied with the way those topics were handled. How unsettling to have the murderer be a parent. I truly understand that there are very serious mental health issues people struggle with, but he was not well written. It just didn’t fit. It seemed so strange. I was expecting Zachary to discover a disgruntled neighbor or random person had done something. The ending was like someone had dumped cold water on my head. It wasn’t shocking or like, “what, that is so crazy, never expected that!” It was sad. Not thrilling or mysterious, just morbid. It made people with mental health issues out to be murderers or idiots.
I know this is a series and there will be a progression of events where we really see what is up with Zachary and see him find some peace, but the whole tracking people didn’t seem to fit. I understand he’s struggling with a lot, and I feel so heartbroken for him, but it didn’t fit his character. He was good, kind, and considerate, not a creep.
I wish Bridget would leave town. What a horrible woman! How nasty of her to treat Zachary like she does, then turn around and try to “help” him. Didn’t cut it for me and didn’t make me sympathetic to her character at all.
Kenzie is cold with a capital C! What is her deal? I like her character but why is she so mean? Like all poor Zachary does it try to be a gentleman, (except for the whole tracking thing), and she stomps all over him. Her personality was all over the place. I get you need flawed characters to be realistic but I was expecting her to be the redeeming grace type character. Perhaps she will be in future books.
This book wasn’t bad, just not well written or thought out. I do want to read the rest of the series to see what happens to Zachary and thank goodness not all of them are murder mysterious. Why do people like those anyhow? Rather have a hopeful and beautiful ending, not a downer.
Honestly, if you feel like it, read it. You might enjoy something I just don’t.
I stayed up late to read this novel. I didn’t have my phone so I didn’t realize it was after midnight. Obviously, I was engrossed enough to stay up to finish it.
I had read Gem, Himself, Alone also by this author a day prior, and found it to be a bit of an odd story. I liked it but didn’t get into it as much as I thought. I was looking forward to reading another book by this author since the writing was very fast-paced and didn’t seem to slog.
I started She Wore Mourning with the knowledge it deals with heavier topics but was not satisfied with the way those topics were handled. How unsettling to have the murderer be a parent. I truly understand that there are very serious mental health issues people struggle with, but he was not well written. It just didn’t fit. It seemed so strange. I was expecting Zachary to discover a disgruntled neighbor or random person had done something. The ending was like someone had dumped cold water on my head. It wasn’t shocking or like, “what, that is so crazy, never expected that!” It was sad. Not thrilling or mysterious, just morbid. It made people with mental health issues out to be murderers or idiots.
I know this is a series and there will be a progression of events where we really see what is up with Zachary and see him find some peace, but the whole tracking people didn’t seem to fit. I understand he’s struggling with a lot, and I feel so heartbroken for him, but it didn’t fit his character. He was good, kind, and considerate, not a creep.
I wish Bridget would leave town. What a horrible woman! How nasty of her to treat Zachary like she does, then turn around and try to “help” him. Didn’t cut it for me and didn’t make me sympathetic to her character at all.
Kenzie is cold with a capital C! What is her deal? I like her character but why is she so mean? Like all poor Zachary does it try to be a gentleman, (except for the whole tracking thing), and she stomps all over him. Her personality was all over the place. I get you need flawed characters to be realistic but I was expecting her to be the redeeming grace type character. Perhaps she will be in future books.
This book wasn’t bad, just not well written or thought out. I do want to read the rest of the series to see what happens to Zachary and thank goodness not all of them are murder mysterious. Why do people like those anyhow? Rather have a hopeful and beautiful ending, not a downer.
Honestly, if you feel like it, read it. You might enjoy something I just don’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2023
This is one of the best novels I read this year. It includes crime, thriller, psychology and suspense. It tells the story of the private investigator, Zachary Goldman, who investigates the case of a child's death. From the beginning of the novel till the end, the story is magically complicated, the characters are skillfully developed and the suspense is highly increasing. I loved the character of Zachary so much; the author didn't only make him clever in solving cases, but also get me involved in his own troubled issues. I am looking forward to reading more in the Zachary Goldman Mysteries Series.
October 15, 2020
A rainy day and a good book. This fits the bill. I quite enjoyed this mystery with its troubled characters. Zachary has demons of his own, and while investigating the death of a 5 year old boy, those demons come forward. I like that Zachary is on his own self discovery journey as a result of learning about OCD from his suspects and their families and friends. At the end, the mystery is solved, and it seems that Zachary starts off towards slaying his own demons. I will look for book 2....that means it's worth the read!
October 15, 2025
I enjoyed this book very much. An "old fashioned" who-done-it. Just picked up the next 3 ebooks to continue the series. I believe I have landed upon an author that I will enjoy reading for quite a while!
Want to read
December 6, 2019Author gift99
March 15, 2025
Good Mystery good writing
This I isn't the kind of book I usually read...but the writing was above average and kept me reading to the end.
This I isn't the kind of book I usually read...but the writing was above average and kept me reading to the end.
October 21, 2020
I got this book free on Kindle.
There should be a warning on this book for anyone who has anxiety and OCD, or anyone with suicidal thoughts.
Minor spoilers ahead...
It feels like everyone in this story has some kind of mental health issues. OCD, anxiety, emotional regulation issues, depression. It makes for an extremely depressing story.
I really did not like Zachary. He seemed more concerned about how he felt about everyone than about the people themselves. He also seem really judgemental about everyone.
It really bothered me how Zachary basically said his ex wife was a would-be baby killer. It felt like a huge push for pro life.
I also didn't like how Zachary seemed not to know words like particulates, but he's a P.I. and grew up watching detective shows. It made him seem incompetent.
Zachary's backstory was depressing. But it felt contrived, like a lot of this book. I also felt that the seriousness of suicide was just glossed over.
What was the point of the random case of the Principal and the student. That had nothing to do with the rest of the book. And what was with Spencer's ribs. Were they broken? Was it just from coughing? The author never says. Plus what was with Zachary hearing Kenzie taking to someone while the fire was burning? Was it a messed up dream? Or was it something else? Again the author never says.
The story just felt disjointed. It needed more. More character development and growth. Why does Zachary work alone? Why didn't he become a police officer instead of a P.I.
Just so many unanswered questions. I like mystery books. But this one was not my cup of tea.
There should be a warning on this book for anyone who has anxiety and OCD, or anyone with suicidal thoughts.
Minor spoilers ahead...
It feels like everyone in this story has some kind of mental health issues. OCD, anxiety, emotional regulation issues, depression. It makes for an extremely depressing story.
I really did not like Zachary. He seemed more concerned about how he felt about everyone than about the people themselves. He also seem really judgemental about everyone.
It really bothered me how Zachary basically said his ex wife was a would-be baby killer. It felt like a huge push for pro life.
I also didn't like how Zachary seemed not to know words like particulates, but he's a P.I. and grew up watching detective shows. It made him seem incompetent.
Zachary's backstory was depressing. But it felt contrived, like a lot of this book. I also felt that the seriousness of suicide was just glossed over.
What was the point of the random case of the Principal and the student. That had nothing to do with the rest of the book. And what was with Spencer's ribs. Were they broken? Was it just from coughing? The author never says. Plus what was with Zachary hearing Kenzie taking to someone while the fire was burning? Was it a messed up dream? Or was it something else? Again the author never says.
The story just felt disjointed. It needed more. More character development and growth. Why does Zachary work alone? Why didn't he become a police officer instead of a P.I.
Just so many unanswered questions. I like mystery books. But this one was not my cup of tea.
October 20, 2018
P.D. Workman has created a deeply flawed but very compelling character in Zachary Goldman. His background is tragic and his ability to interact with the world and appear "normal" is one of his greatest daily challenges, and both informs and hinders his work as a private investigator. The central mystery is heartbreaking—a "cold case" that's the drowning death of a five-year-old—and there are plenty of twists and turns on the way to solving it. The dead child's parents are fascinating to read about, needing to keep it together through their non-neuronormative conditions. Workman writes these characters very well: their conditions don't define them, and the reader easily sees the real people where society might only see the conditions.
The secondary characters in the romantic/personal subplots are not quite as compelling as the main character (or the child's parents). Goldman's main love interest is a too-good-to-be-true dreamgirl with the patience of Job, and Goldman's ex-wife often veers into insane territory, although comes back from the precipice a couple of times. Goldman, too, exhibits some troubling behavior that Perfect Love Interest Girl forgives way too easily. Although these relatively minor nits keep the book from entering five-star territory for me, they didn't detract from the "unputdownability" of this book. I'll definitely buy the next book and follow the series. Recommended to anyone who likes a good detective novel!
The secondary characters in the romantic/personal subplots are not quite as compelling as the main character (or the child's parents). Goldman's main love interest is a too-good-to-be-true dreamgirl with the patience of Job, and Goldman's ex-wife often veers into insane territory, although comes back from the precipice a couple of times. Goldman, too, exhibits some troubling behavior that Perfect Love Interest Girl forgives way too easily. Although these relatively minor nits keep the book from entering five-star territory for me, they didn't detract from the "unputdownability" of this book. I'll definitely buy the next book and follow the series. Recommended to anyone who likes a good detective novel!
July 21, 2020
I definitely recommend this murder mystery
This book is a rather dark suspenseful murder mystery. The characters are well described with differing mental health issues. Zackery Goldman is a PI with many issues of his own. I kept. Vacillating about who the actual murderer could be. Extremely suspenseful and quick reading because I couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to more books in this series.
This book is a rather dark suspenseful murder mystery. The characters are well described with differing mental health issues. Zackery Goldman is a PI with many issues of his own. I kept. Vacillating about who the actual murderer could be. Extremely suspenseful and quick reading because I couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to more books in this series.
September 15, 2022
Identifiable characters
I had this on my review list for this year’s reading challenge, then saw it on my list the day before I was to submit an advanced review for the 11th book (He Drowned in Memory). So, this one’ll be a little quick since I really want to get some background before I start the later book.
I appreciate that the author normalizes cPTSD (complex) as well as neurological divergence. Not enough NT’s (neuro-typicals) have any clue as to how our brains function or what we go through when literally forced to conform to their ways of thinking and behaving. The world needs more fictional books to communicate this issue.
My mother was six at the time of her parents’ divorce; she and her younger brother were taken from home, placed in an orphanage, and separated. Months later, they moved in with a paternal aunt (father’s were not granted custody in 1940’s U.S.A.) and stayed there for years until their father remarried. No contact with their mother until my cousin and I were a few months old; no maternal family contact for more than fifteen years later. They didn't know they had a cousin until I was in my late 20's (the other cousin died before they found out about her).Believe me, this stuff stays with kids and adversely affects them in most, if not all, aspects of life.
Like Zachary, I have a friend whose clinical anxiety and depression go into overdrive every August (the anniversary of her father’s murder). She kept her therapist for monthly sessions even after she moved countries over a decade ago and her life literally pauses for the entire month.
Like the Bonds, I, too, have neurological (and emotional) issues that affect and, at times, regulate my life. Some things really just are not a choice.
And just like in real life, Zachary didn’t quite understand Mr. Bond’s mode of expression when they first met. And both Bonds made assumptions about their personal issues prior to their marriage. So, I guess we all have a lot to learn.
I had this on my review list for this year’s reading challenge, then saw it on my list the day before I was to submit an advanced review for the 11th book (He Drowned in Memory). So, this one’ll be a little quick since I really want to get some background before I start the later book.
I appreciate that the author normalizes cPTSD (complex) as well as neurological divergence. Not enough NT’s (neuro-typicals) have any clue as to how our brains function or what we go through when literally forced to conform to their ways of thinking and behaving. The world needs more fictional books to communicate this issue.
My mother was six at the time of her parents’ divorce; she and her younger brother were taken from home, placed in an orphanage, and separated. Months later, they moved in with a paternal aunt (father’s were not granted custody in 1940’s U.S.A.) and stayed there for years until their father remarried. No contact with their mother until my cousin and I were a few months old; no maternal family contact for more than fifteen years later. They didn't know they had a cousin until I was in my late 20's (the other cousin died before they found out about her).Believe me, this stuff stays with kids and adversely affects them in most, if not all, aspects of life.
Like Zachary, I have a friend whose clinical anxiety and depression go into overdrive every August (the anniversary of her father’s murder). She kept her therapist for monthly sessions even after she moved countries over a decade ago and her life literally pauses for the entire month.
Like the Bonds, I, too, have neurological (and emotional) issues that affect and, at times, regulate my life. Some things really just are not a choice.
And just like in real life, Zachary didn’t quite understand Mr. Bond’s mode of expression when they first met. And both Bonds made assumptions about their personal issues prior to their marriage. So, I guess we all have a lot to learn.
May 17, 2023
Declan Bond, aged five, is dead and his grandmother isn't convinced that it was a tragic drowning accident.
She hires P.I. Zachary Goldman to examine the circumstances - it's probably not the wisest of choices as he is paranoid, mentally unstable and running out of control.
The only two people in the house when he went missing were his parents, Spencer and Isabella, both of whom have OCD.
For quite a while there is absolutely no evidence of foul play, just a report from the autopsy that he had taken cough medicine before he died. Both parents vehemently deny, because he once had an adverse reaction, that they would ever give it to Declan.
And then Zachary starts getting ambiguous warning notes which could refer to any of his cases. The warnings escalate into outright violence - Zachary's paranoia goes into hyper drive.
He's also got an ex-wife and a potential girlfriend on his case.
Zachary is a strange mix of a man, almost like several people in one body. A childhood accident saw him taken into care and, in some ways, created a monster. He's unwilling to seek help but, as he edges towards self-harm, even he realises that something has to change,
The solution comes through plodding investigation and, though shocking, is fitting.
"She Wore Mourning" is not a book to be read if you are feeling depressed!
I found it an uncomfortable, though highly interesting, read.
3.5 Stars, reduced to 3 Stars.
She hires P.I. Zachary Goldman to examine the circumstances - it's probably not the wisest of choices as he is paranoid, mentally unstable and running out of control.
The only two people in the house when he went missing were his parents, Spencer and Isabella, both of whom have OCD.
For quite a while there is absolutely no evidence of foul play, just a report from the autopsy that he had taken cough medicine before he died. Both parents vehemently deny, because he once had an adverse reaction, that they would ever give it to Declan.
And then Zachary starts getting ambiguous warning notes which could refer to any of his cases. The warnings escalate into outright violence - Zachary's paranoia goes into hyper drive.
He's also got an ex-wife and a potential girlfriend on his case.
Zachary is a strange mix of a man, almost like several people in one body. A childhood accident saw him taken into care and, in some ways, created a monster. He's unwilling to seek help but, as he edges towards self-harm, even he realises that something has to change,
The solution comes through plodding investigation and, though shocking, is fitting.
"She Wore Mourning" is not a book to be read if you are feeling depressed!
I found it an uncomfortable, though highly interesting, read.
3.5 Stars, reduced to 3 Stars.
September 5, 2017
The title "She Wore Mourning" intrigued my curiosity to apply to win a copy from Goodreads First Reads. I was lucky and received a copy for free in exchange for my review.
The story is set in Vermont and centers around the death of a child named Declan Bond and his parents, Spencer and Isabella. Zachory Goldman is a private detective and has been hired by Molly Hildebrandt who is Isabella's Mother. Molly feels for some reason that there is more to Declan's death than just wandering off and accidentally drowning in a pond due to his fear of water. Zachery gathers the police files and interviews the parents which both suffer from OCD. The deeper his investigations take him he begins to doubt that it was just an accident. As his doubts grow he is threatened by a note on his door to stop investigating the case but he dismisses it because he is not sure of what case the note is referring to. As the story continues his brakes lines are cut and his apartment is set on fire.
The title is as it applies which adds an intriguing element to the book. The ending will surprise the reader. Through out the book we are let into the detective's life which keeps the reader interested as well as entertained. I recommend this book to all those who like mystery.
The story is set in Vermont and centers around the death of a child named Declan Bond and his parents, Spencer and Isabella. Zachory Goldman is a private detective and has been hired by Molly Hildebrandt who is Isabella's Mother. Molly feels for some reason that there is more to Declan's death than just wandering off and accidentally drowning in a pond due to his fear of water. Zachery gathers the police files and interviews the parents which both suffer from OCD. The deeper his investigations take him he begins to doubt that it was just an accident. As his doubts grow he is threatened by a note on his door to stop investigating the case but he dismisses it because he is not sure of what case the note is referring to. As the story continues his brakes lines are cut and his apartment is set on fire.
The title is as it applies which adds an intriguing element to the book. The ending will surprise the reader. Through out the book we are let into the detective's life which keeps the reader interested as well as entertained. I recommend this book to all those who like mystery.
September 23, 2018
This was such an engrossing mystery but not a lighthearted one by any means. I enjoyed the way the author continued to throw twists and turns that kept me on my toes. I was never really sure who I thought the killer was. One time I'd be sure I had it figured out and the next minute I was convinced it was someone else-the sign of an excellent author in my opinion. Zachary Goldman is not your typical fictional detective by any stretch of the imagination. At times, I almost felt he had as many mental health issues as the people he was investigating. But that's one thing I really liked about him. He is flawed in so many ways and he knows it; yet he continues to do his job to the best of his ability. This story has great character development and I think it is one of it's major strengths. Zachary knows his limitations and tries not to hide them. He tries his best to be honest about who he is and yet he still does his best to finish the job he set out to do. I highly recommend this series.
October 18, 2020
I found the book good, but depressing and I didn't care for the end. I suppose the note leaver was Zachary, but that voice he heard on the phone was a woman, so I can't help but feel that Kenzie was somehow involved. The words from the doctor did help clear up how many types of OCD there are.
Mr. Goldman, I found your story compelling, but I don't want to read anything else depressing so I don't know what I will do about follow-up books. Right now I've got the Corona Virus, the election, and my brother-in-laws close call with death looming over me. I can hardly concentrate or get out of bed because I have Bipolar II Disorder. I put y0u down on my list of authors to follow and I'm sure I will read more of your books, providing Biden does not win this election. If he does, I'll be homeless and won't be reading anyone's books.
Good luck to you in the future. I hope lots of people read your books! Ginnie
Mr. Goldman, I found your story compelling, but I don't want to read anything else depressing so I don't know what I will do about follow-up books. Right now I've got the Corona Virus, the election, and my brother-in-laws close call with death looming over me. I can hardly concentrate or get out of bed because I have Bipolar II Disorder. I put y0u down on my list of authors to follow and I'm sure I will read more of your books, providing Biden does not win this election. If he does, I'll be homeless and won't be reading anyone's books.
Good luck to you in the future. I hope lots of people read your books! Ginnie
December 29, 2020
The story is as much about the private investigator and his issues as it is about the mystery that he sets out to solve. Zachery Goldman is an unorthodox PI, and it takes some tough scrapes for him to admit it. In the meantime his behavior damages trust and relationships. Ironically coming to grips with his problems helps him solve the mystery in the end.
The person that the book's title refers to is the mother who has lost her son to what everyone has said is a tragic accident. Her own mother, however, thinks there is more to it and hires Zachery to investigate the matter. Much of the book is devoted to procedural matters and focuses on the ways in which Zachery goes about his business. It also focuses a lot on his style and personal relationships. There is quite a bit of repetition, which draws out the story a little more than I like, but in the end it all turns out to be important if you are inclined to read more books in this series. I may or may not.
The person that the book's title refers to is the mother who has lost her son to what everyone has said is a tragic accident. Her own mother, however, thinks there is more to it and hires Zachery to investigate the matter. Much of the book is devoted to procedural matters and focuses on the ways in which Zachery goes about his business. It also focuses a lot on his style and personal relationships. There is quite a bit of repetition, which draws out the story a little more than I like, but in the end it all turns out to be important if you are inclined to read more books in this series. I may or may not.
June 7, 2022
She Wore Mourning, the first book in the Zachary Goldman Mysteries Series by PD Workman was much more than just your ordinary everyday who-dunnit type of mystery-solving story. In addition to finding out the who, how, and why of the dark and disturbing mystery, the reader is also given an enlightening tour through a variety of neuroses of the various characters, including our own PI Zachary, which was almost a sub-story to themselves but ultimately related to the prime storyline. The author gives her characters visual life through their descriptions as well as their actions and does not just let them slip away from the reader's mind as they enjoy the journey to the surprising ending. I am looking forward to adding more books in this series to my TBR file. This is a voluntary review of this book.
November 8, 2025
I recommend the book. It is a psychological thriller that starts fast, slows in the middle, and ends fast. The mechanics of good writings are followed. I believe readers not interested in thrillers of any kind would like this book. A child is found drowned in a pond, and the incident is called an accident. The grandmother believes it was murder and calls the main character, a P.I., to investigate the "accident."
All the main characters suffer some psychological disorder. The suspects are weeded out, I think, because they share these disorders of the mind.
Thanksgiving is coming soon. I have a mountain of work to do to host 25 guests, but am I working on that mountain? No, I am reading this book, meaning that the book is a good read, easy on the pickup, and is more to my liking than baking pies for Turkey Lurkey Day.
Thank you, Ms. Workman, for a good read.
All the main characters suffer some psychological disorder. The suspects are weeded out, I think, because they share these disorders of the mind.
Thanksgiving is coming soon. I have a mountain of work to do to host 25 guests, but am I working on that mountain? No, I am reading this book, meaning that the book is a good read, easy on the pickup, and is more to my liking than baking pies for Turkey Lurkey Day.
Thank you, Ms. Workman, for a good read.
July 20, 2022
I love a good mystery, and this one kept me guessing for a while.
However, the best part of this book in my opinion is the characters. P. D. Workman has created wonderfully human characters in this book. They are flawed and complicated, with very real trauma to deal with.
I narrated this audiobook, and I fell in love with the characters! There's one quote that I particularly loved!
"He remembered the word that Kenzie had suggested. Not normal, but neurotypical. He liked the flavor of the word. It pathologized people with normal brain patterns, the same way that people with normal brain patterns had been pathologizing the atypicals for hundreds of years."
I really loved this book and I look forward to working with P. D. Workman on the rest of the series.
However, the best part of this book in my opinion is the characters. P. D. Workman has created wonderfully human characters in this book. They are flawed and complicated, with very real trauma to deal with.
I narrated this audiobook, and I fell in love with the characters! There's one quote that I particularly loved!
"He remembered the word that Kenzie had suggested. Not normal, but neurotypical. He liked the flavor of the word. It pathologized people with normal brain patterns, the same way that people with normal brain patterns had been pathologizing the atypicals for hundreds of years."
I really loved this book and I look forward to working with P. D. Workman on the rest of the series.
March 1, 2025
Zachary Goldman is recovering from a disastrous marriage. He is a private investigator who is asked to delve into the death of a five-year-old boy, Declan Bond. Nothing seems amiss until Zachary notices that the child had ingested cough syrup. Since the parents said the child did not have a cold, Zachary wonders.
This is a gripping, psychological thriller. However, it floundered about 2/3 into the story, just before Zachary nearly died in his apartment. The author tried to leave a red herring in the conversation between Zachary and the girl he was dating. Otherwise, this was an emotionally satisfying story.
Zachary Goldman Mystery Total of 19
** 1. She Wore Mourning (2017)
2. His Hands were Quiet (2018)
3. She was Dying Anyway (2018)
This is a gripping, psychological thriller. However, it floundered about 2/3 into the story, just before Zachary nearly died in his apartment. The author tried to leave a red herring in the conversation between Zachary and the girl he was dating. Otherwise, this was an emotionally satisfying story.
Zachary Goldman Mystery Total of 19
** 1. She Wore Mourning (2017)
2. His Hands were Quiet (2018)
3. She was Dying Anyway (2018)
April 8, 2025
This is the first book in the Zachary Goldman mystery series by P.D. Workman. Zachary Goldman is a private investigator with imperfections but he is determined to investigate the death of five-year old Declan Bond. Declan's death was ruled an accident but his grandmother Molly Hildebrandt suspects there is more to his death and hires Zachary to uncover the truth. As Zachary investigates Declan's death, he encounters opposition from Declan's mother Isabella Hildebrandt and father Spencer Bond preventing Zachary from continuing his investigation. Shattered by tragedies in his own life Zachary manages to pick up after himself after digging deeper to find clues. This gripping story of psychological mystery is a great read. I really enjoyed this fantastic mystery fiction novel.
October 11, 2020
3 star
This book is very dark emotionally, so I recommend making sure you are in a good head space for reading it. Content warnings would include dangerous mental health issues, death of a child, suicide. Not sure what else might ought to be mentioned.
The mystery resolves well and the investigation is conducted reasonably, although he misses some things I thought were clear. However, the MC is not especially likeable. He has a lot of issues to deal with. Once the reader understands those more, he is easier to accept.
This book is very dark emotionally, so I recommend making sure you are in a good head space for reading it. Content warnings would include dangerous mental health issues, death of a child, suicide. Not sure what else might ought to be mentioned.
The mystery resolves well and the investigation is conducted reasonably, although he misses some things I thought were clear. However, the MC is not especially likeable. He has a lot of issues to deal with. Once the reader understands those more, he is easier to accept.
February 8, 2021
Was it just an accident?
Zachary has been hired to find out if the little boy's death was an accident. The parents are still both grieving both have their own issues but could one of them really have drown their only son? The case isn't going well as someone is trying to kill Zachary but he has no idea who. His ex is losing her patience with him as he is stalking her he just doesn't know how to let go of her. And he still trying to figure who killed the little boy but the answers he finds isn't going to bring any happiness to anyone. A good read.
Zachary has been hired to find out if the little boy's death was an accident. The parents are still both grieving both have their own issues but could one of them really have drown their only son? The case isn't going well as someone is trying to kill Zachary but he has no idea who. His ex is losing her patience with him as he is stalking her he just doesn't know how to let go of her. And he still trying to figure who killed the little boy but the answers he finds isn't going to bring any happiness to anyone. A good read.
November 20, 2021
Ms Workman has a way of making you sympathetic to Zachary Goldman in She
Wore Mourning. Yet at times you want to take him out behind the wood shed and slap him upside the head.
I have a hard time reading books in order so maybe that's why the head slap. In each story his character matures with a slight fallback from time to time. I really should have started with this one first. When all is said and done and I needed to hire a PI I would want one like him. He doesn't give up.
Great read for everyone.
Good work.
Cheers
Lynn🇨🇦
Wore Mourning. Yet at times you want to take him out behind the wood shed and slap him upside the head.
I have a hard time reading books in order so maybe that's why the head slap. In each story his character matures with a slight fallback from time to time. I really should have started with this one first. When all is said and done and I needed to hire a PI I would want one like him. He doesn't give up.
Great read for everyone.
Good work.
Cheers
Lynn🇨🇦
February 6, 2021
Zachery relflecting on his life.while watching a couple he had been tailing for several weeks. He was a PI so he could use his camera. Life seemed to be dull for him, he had been married. Christmas wasn’t a big thing for him, and it was for her. A call from a distraught grandmother the death of a five year old was not from drowning she feels. He was recommended, and he wondered who, the big question is why doesn’t someone want him looking into it. Good series to enjoy.
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