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Blood in the Streets
Over the course of seven days in 1970s New Haven, veteran homicide detective Frank Suchy gradually loses his grip on sanity and sobriety while investigating the murder of his best friend’s child.
The year is 1976. Veteran New Haven homicide detective Frank Suchy has finally learned to cope with the demons in his life and the daily pressure of ‘the job’—being exposed to every manner of death that could possibly befall someone—all the while celebrating his third year of sobriety.
But when his best friend’s child is brutally murdered in broad daylight outside a downtown shopping mall, his world begins to deteriorate, bringing back the nightmares that he thought were locked away long ago. Recollections of his brief friendship with rock singer Jim Morrison (who he befriended at the 1967 New Haven concert where the singer was arrested onstage), and all the other terrible memories he had worked so hard to suppress…come pouring back.
To make matters worse, there are external forces that threaten Detective Suchy’s wellbeing. Pressure from bureaucrats and the political elite to curtail any exposure of the case to the public in the wake of New Haven’s recent massive Urban Renewal Project, and the simmering racial and social divide between the minority communities against the police department in particular, send Detective Suchy over the edge. He spirals out of control in a desperate race against time to solve this horrendous case, hoping to somehow redeem his soul—and the city’s, for that matter—even if it means laying down his own life in the process.
What Detective Suchy eventually uncovers is the seedy, horrifying underbelly of the 1970s.
The year is 1976. Veteran New Haven homicide detective Frank Suchy has finally learned to cope with the demons in his life and the daily pressure of ‘the job’—being exposed to every manner of death that could possibly befall someone—all the while celebrating his third year of sobriety.
But when his best friend’s child is brutally murdered in broad daylight outside a downtown shopping mall, his world begins to deteriorate, bringing back the nightmares that he thought were locked away long ago. Recollections of his brief friendship with rock singer Jim Morrison (who he befriended at the 1967 New Haven concert where the singer was arrested onstage), and all the other terrible memories he had worked so hard to suppress…come pouring back.
To make matters worse, there are external forces that threaten Detective Suchy’s wellbeing. Pressure from bureaucrats and the political elite to curtail any exposure of the case to the public in the wake of New Haven’s recent massive Urban Renewal Project, and the simmering racial and social divide between the minority communities against the police department in particular, send Detective Suchy over the edge. He spirals out of control in a desperate race against time to solve this horrendous case, hoping to somehow redeem his soul—and the city’s, for that matter—even if it means laying down his own life in the process.
What Detective Suchy eventually uncovers is the seedy, horrifying underbelly of the 1970s.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2018
61 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 28, 2020
I got this book direct from the author thanks to his podcast Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers. I remember reading it and wondered where it was going...and then the scene in the parking garage happened. I was with Frank Suchy every step of the way after that. And I’ll say this: never piss off a cop who has a shotgun and a reason to use it!
Needless to say, this is well written. Dion’s characters feel like people. It may be set in the 70’s but everything feels so real and tangible. It’s helped by the use of songs throughout the story. Dion’s even included a soundtrack list at the end in case you’re interested.
I loved Blood In The Streets! Do yourself a favor and check this out.
Needless to say, this is well written. Dion’s characters feel like people. It may be set in the 70’s but everything feels so real and tangible. It’s helped by the use of songs throughout the story. Dion’s even included a soundtrack list at the end in case you’re interested.
I loved Blood In The Streets! Do yourself a favor and check this out.
April 23, 2019
I worked in New Haven, Connecticut in the 70’s so I knew all the streets, buildings, urban renewal stats and history of the city for which Baia is writing about. Knowing about the politicians and crimes that of that era (particularly the murder in The Chapel Square Mall Garage) it was hard to see them written about with different names and outcomes.
I expected the story to follow actual current events more closely.
I expected the story to follow actual current events more closely.
February 26, 2019
I originally bought this book because it’s set in my hometown of New Haven.
I loved reading about all the places I grew up near and how they fit into the storyline. It’s a very good read and the plot held my attention.
I loved reading about all the places I grew up near and how they fit into the storyline. It’s a very good read and the plot held my attention.
June 22, 2021
Had no expectations for this book I stumbled on, but being quite familiar with New Haven, CT and a Doors fan, I was intrigued. It turned out to be a very good detective novel and tour of 60s and 70s New Haven.
Lots of action.
Lots of action.
February 6, 2019
interesting plot and good characterization; however, the book needs a lot of editing.Too much minutae slows the flow of the read.
August 11, 2019
Groovy! I liked the vibe of this thriller. Enjoyable read.
September 6, 2019
Enjoyed it, especially towards the back half. First half had too much detail about New Haven which had little to do with the plot.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews