City Of Stones

by Christopher Valen, Dan Cohen

American troops are fighting the Communists in Korea. McCarthyism is on the rise. The Kefauver Commission is investigating organized crime. In the midst of this turbulent time, the murder of a MPD police officer and the two young Jewish men accused of killing him sets off an explosive investigation that ultimately encompasses mobsters, police corruption, political blackmail, and the ethnic biases that existed in 1950 Minneapolis. Known as the most anti-Semitic city in the country, the Minneapolis depicted in City of Stones is a deceitful place, a fact that each character seems intent on using to his or her advantage.

Veteran Homicide Detective Jake Cafferty is battling the bottle and a guilty conscience. Given one last chance at redemption, Jake has a choice to make––one that could cost him everything. Nick Cole is a war hero looking for a fast-track promotion into Homicide. Determined to impress the woman he loves, he’ll let nothing stand in his way, especially a past that haunts his nights and threatens his career. Kate Dawson is on a mission to make a name for herself as the first woman attorney hired by the DA’s office. But in trying to take down a crooked cop she’s risking her career––and ultimately her life.

395 pages, Paperback

Published December 28, 2021

About the author

Christopher Valen is the award-winning author of nine works of fiction featuring Colombian-born, St. Paul Homicide Detective John Santana: White Tombs, The Black Minute, Bad Weeds Never Die, Bone Shadows, Death’s Way, The Darkness Hunter, Speak For The Dead, The Price Of Life, and No Way To Die. He's also written the historical noir murder mystery, City Of Stones, set in 1950 Minneapolis, with fellow author Dan Cohen, and the literary novel All The Fields.

Booklist calls Santana “. . . an appealing series lead, strong and intelligent . . .” Midwest Book Review declares that “Santana is a wonderful addition to the sub-genre,” and Library Journal says that Valen’s “ . . . highly moral Santana character is golden.”

Christopher is a graduate of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Citizen Academy and has many contacts and resources in the law enforcement community. He lives in Arizona and Minnesota with his Colombian-born wife, Martha. To learn more visit his website at www.christophervalen.com

Reviews

[READER VIEWS]

Reviewed by Robert Leon Davis for Reader Views (02/2020)

In “City of Stones” by Christopher Valen and Dan Cohen, American troops have just been deployed to fight a communist regime in Korea in the 1950's. Organized crime and the evils associated with it are so terrible that the United States Government has convened a special commission dedicated to neutralizing or halting its deadly grip. Wild spread political corruption, blackmail, and crime has saturated the country, but particularly in the mid-Western city of Minneapolis; currently the most anti-Semitic city in the country! These are bad times!

Detectives Jake Cafferty and Nick Cole are two of Minneapolis police officers on the front line of solving some very unusual homicides. But what irks these detectives, and all officers recently is the murder of a fellow officer! This is every officer's nightmare; the killing of one of their own by two Jewish men. Both officers also have personal issues. Jack Cafferty is an alcoholic; which threatened his career. Nick is feverishly attempting to impress a woman he loves by being promoted. All of this drama is further surrounded by a lady who is trying to become Minneapolis first female assistant district attorney. A varied mix of personalities that seemingly don't fit very well. Will the homicide be solved? What's the mysterious reason for his death? Mobsters, police corruption, blackmail, and ethnic bias all makes for a bad mix!

“City of Stones” by authors Christopher Valen and Dan Cohen is an eloquently-written, blazing historical mystery, whodunit, with well-timed thrilling actions! The book from the start just jumps into the fray of interest! The blend of all three main characters is perfectly designed. The many peripheral characters in this work of fiction assist the story brilliantly. The syntax was obviously well thought out by these two authors; which is very difficult to do when two people are developing the narrative.

The cadence of each chapter "fits in" well with the proceeding chapters. Images of the storyline is easily visualized; which places the reader right there into the story. You're not just reading a book – but experiencing the story! May I also state that oftentimes while I was reading I thought I was reading an actual true story! Furthermore, I learned that the two authors put much more work into this work then some books I've read. I learned that they consulted a police department, a police officer (s), the historical society, and many other venues to pen this magnificent work. Hard work usually always makes for a good outcome! “City of Stones” by authors Christopher Valen and Dan Cohen is easily a "keeper" and easily 5 stars.....

[David Hill]

DNF
This was my first mystery novel. I don't know what it was about it I just couldn't seem to get into it. It wasn't poorly written it just didn't grab and hold my attention. I do plan on picking this back up and attempt to finish it. I just have a stack of books I have been dieing to read. Thank you to Goodreads and Conquill Press for a free copy for my honest opinion.

[Nancy Poland]

A story of the gritty side of Minneapolis, Minnesota in the 1950s. The sad part is it can be translated to the civil unrest and issues with the police in 2020. It also shows the good side of people also, from the police, to the witnesses to a crime. A good read but a little too visceral for me.

[Nancy Higgs]

Interesting story of Minneapolis a long time ago. Christopher Valen, a personally known author, helped finish and publish this book.

[John J]

Excellent. Growing up in the late 50's and 60's as the son of the pharmacist/owner of Kenwood Pharmacy, I came acquainted with many interesting people.