Where the Dark Streets Go

by Dorothy Salisbury Davis

After a brutal murder takes place, a young New York priest begins a search for the identity of the dead man and his killer

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 27, 1970

About the author

Dorothy Salisbury Davis is a Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America, and a recipient of lifetime achievement awards from Bouchercon and Malice Domestic. The author of seventeen crime novels, including the Mrs. Norris Mysteries and the Julie Hayes Mysteries; three historical novels; and numerous short stories; she has served as president of the Mystery Writers of America and is a founder of Sisters in Crime.

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who was the dying man who was stabbed? The man told young Father Joseph McMahon neither his own name nor the name of his killer. His landlady and the neighbors knew the dead man as Gust Muller, but that is not his real name. The priest, muddled about his own vocation, plunges into investigating who this man really was and who killed him, eventually joining forces with an artist who was the man’s ex-girlfriend. Dorothy Salisbury Davis instills this thoughtful novel with plenty of twists.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first experience reading Dorothy Salisbury Davis was The Pale Betrayer (1965) and it was such a nice surprise; a new author for me and a pleasant surprise. Davis did write a couple of short series but mainly standalones. I've had some difficulty finding her books but diligent searching did help me find a few others. Where the Dark Streets Go (1970) is my second attempt at her books.

Father McMahon, a priest in a poor district of NY City, trying with difficulty to prepare his sermon. Young Carlos, one of his parishioners, comes running. He needs McMahon. He leads McMahon to a dying man in the basement of a slum apartment building. They have a brief conversation and the man dies, of a knife wound. This is the beginning of an interesting story, partly an investigation into discovering the identity of the man and his murderer, and partly a discovery by McMahon and others about themselves.

It's a fascinating story, simple in many ways but one that draws you in, to the characters and their lives. McMahon is a troubled priest; questions his vocation, his life, is a bit of a drinker and it seems maybe also hasn't always succeeded in maintaining his vow of celibacy. There are other characters, my favorites being Nam, a budding artist and the girlfriend of the dead man and a young lady who tests McMahon's beliefs. There is Mr. Rosenberg, the owner of a local pawn shop, who knew the dead man and had many conversations with him. He is often a sounding board for McMahon. There are the Phelans, a married couple, McMahon trying to assist with their marriage difficulties, and the husband who is a suspect in the murder. Of course there are the cops, Lt Traynor and Det Brogan, who are interjected into the story at times, as they try to investigate.

For a relatively short story, it is rich and fascinating. Davis has a way with her characters, making you see them clearly for their faults and characteristics. I like McMahon a lot and Nam is a lovely character. It was an enjoyable story, don't look for action, but just enjoy the experience. The ending will leave you feeling loss but still satisfied. (4.5 stars)

[Charles van Buren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charles van Buren

TOP 1000 REVIEWER

3.0 out of 5 stars

Not a typical mystery

March 14, 2019

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

This is more of a novel about people, God, the human condition and the temptations of a priest than it is a mystery. At about 90% into the book, the only mysteries the main characters are trying to solve are: what happened to the murdered man's paintings and who was he? Not just his identity but who was he as a person? The identity of the murderer is eventually discovered in the last 10% of the book. The various threads of the story are also brought together.

Some would call this book pretentious. Others would call it deep. All I can say is that it did not make me think anything which I have not thought before either on my own or by reading and listening.

There are many cultural and historical references in the book. Some of which are of the decade in which it was written. Readers unfamiliar with the late 1960's and early to mid-1970's may not understand some of those reference but that does not prevent understanding the book.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting mystery novel. A priest is summoned by a neighborhood boy to the side of a man dying in the basement of an abandoned building. In the few minutes that they talk, the priest is intrigued by this mysterious man. The story is as much about the search for who this man really was as the search for the murderer. Along the way, the priest encounters a Jewish pawnbroker, an artistic young lady, and others. Father MacMahon is a very complex character, and is a bit ambiguous about his own faith, which troubles him. I enjoyed it.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery in this book is not so much who killed whom as what it means to live a moral life in an apparently amoral world. It's a very Catholic book, and that's both what intrigued me and put me off about it.

[Arthur Paone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traveled with the characters

I struggled sometimes to understand the line of thought, but was rewarded for hanging in. Felt with the characters and lived with them for a while.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's use of description and verbiage is outstanding. The plot dragged on somewhat and was difficult to figure out at first. I decided to read this because the author recently passed away and her work was very well regarded. I had never heard of her (this book was written in the late 1960's) so I thought I'd give it a shot.

[K Drakos · Rating 4 out of 5]

really liked it!