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Tony Harrington #3
The Third Side of Murder
The unexpected death of a favorite cousin takes Iowa newspaper reporter Tony Harrington and his mother, Carlotta, to the Amalfi Coast of Italy for the funeral. While there, Tony learns beautiful young Noemi's fall from the seawall may not have been an accident. For days before her death, she had been stalked by a man believed to be connected to organized crime in Italy and America. Despite the warnings of everyone from his mother to the head of the local polizia, Tony is determined to identify, find, and bring to justice the man responsible for Noemi's fatal plunge.
His quest takes him from Italy to New York City, where he is joined by his best friend, Doug Tenney, and where he meets and falls hard for Erica, the daughter of a real estate tycoon. Tony's relentless pursuit of the man who stalked and killed Noemi puts him and his friends in serious peril, as they provoke the anger not only of the alleged killer, but of one of New York's most powerful and ruthless crime bosses.
Follow Tony on his journey through Italy and New York as he searches for the truth and risks everything to get the “The Third Side” of the story.
His quest takes him from Italy to New York City, where he is joined by his best friend, Doug Tenney, and where he meets and falls hard for Erica, the daughter of a real estate tycoon. Tony's relentless pursuit of the man who stalked and killed Noemi puts him and his friends in serious peril, as they provoke the anger not only of the alleged killer, but of one of New York's most powerful and ruthless crime bosses.
Follow Tony on his journey through Italy and New York as he searches for the truth and risks everything to get the “The Third Side” of the story.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2021
About the author
Joseph LeValley
8 books100 followersJoseph "Joe" LeValley credits his love of writing for every success in his life. He was a reporter-photographer for daily newspapers for seven years, covering crime/ criminal justice as his primary beat. Subsequently, he served for more than 30 years as a healthcare executive. During that time, he and his team won four national awards for communications excellence.
He began his latest career, as an author and public speaker, in 2018. He has published six mystery/thriller novels, and has written two more that are waiting on agents and editors.
As a musician, Joe plays drums and guitar. He has performed with a number of groups and has written more than 40 songs. In 2016, he was inducted with the Mourning Glory Rock Band into the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame.
A lifelong Iowan, Joe has a degree in journalism from Drake University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Iowa. He and his wife Jane have six children and live in Dallas County, Iowa.
He began his latest career, as an author and public speaker, in 2018. He has published six mystery/thriller novels, and has written two more that are waiting on agents and editors.
As a musician, Joe plays drums and guitar. He has performed with a number of groups and has written more than 40 songs. In 2016, he was inducted with the Mourning Glory Rock Band into the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame.
A lifelong Iowan, Joe has a degree in journalism from Drake University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Iowa. He and his wife Jane have six children and live in Dallas County, Iowa.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 15, 2021
I am the author. It was great fun to take Tony out of Iowa and pursue an adventure in Italy and New York. Readers seem to agree with me, as the reviews have been exceptional. Hope you enjoy it too.
August 29, 2021
Joseph LeValley’s The Third Side of Murder is the third in a series of mysteries about a newspaper reporter from Iowa named Tony Harrington. The settings take Tony to Italy, New York City, and back to Orney, Iowa. LeValley is at his best when describing the difficulties and financial problems of the newspaper and small town in Iowa. However, the other locations add to the tight structure of the plot.
A murder involving one of Tony’s cousins in Italy leads the writer to New York City, following a man connected to organized crime. His plan is to find this man and see if he can uncover his role in Tony’s cousin’s death. Then he’ll turn him over to the police. It’s a cat and mouse game with a beautiful woman who is too obviously not what she pretends to be. The other characters, especially Tony’s friend, Doug Tenney, are well-written and believable. There is a pact of loyalty among Tony, Doug, and their newspaper publisher back in Iowa.
LeValley is at his best when putting together intricate plots. Occasionally, I found his dialogue a bit unrealistic. But the pieces fall into place, and it makes for an enjoyable read.
A murder involving one of Tony’s cousins in Italy leads the writer to New York City, following a man connected to organized crime. His plan is to find this man and see if he can uncover his role in Tony’s cousin’s death. Then he’ll turn him over to the police. It’s a cat and mouse game with a beautiful woman who is too obviously not what she pretends to be. The other characters, especially Tony’s friend, Doug Tenney, are well-written and believable. There is a pact of loyalty among Tony, Doug, and their newspaper publisher back in Iowa.
LeValley is at his best when putting together intricate plots. Occasionally, I found his dialogue a bit unrealistic. But the pieces fall into place, and it makes for an enjoyable read.
March 13, 2023
I really enjoyed the first two in this series. This book’s plot was solid, but the characters Tony and his friend Doug were barely tethered to the characters in the first two books. It’s disappointing.
First, Doug is now crass and views women as objects. He can’t speak of a woman without mentioning her appearance. So disappointing to see this turn of character.
Second, Tony is now aggressively pursuing sex with an inner dialogue to match. Changing his ring tone and the reaction to his love interest’s spurn was laughable. It’s so uninteresting and, frankly, out of alignment with the first two books. Tony’s approach to sex in those was much less machismo and much more humanized.
As a female reader, I’m sad this new series may not be one I continue reading. I’m not opposed, but the clear left turn from the character development in the first two books means this was a deliberate choice by the author.
First, Doug is now crass and views women as objects. He can’t speak of a woman without mentioning her appearance. So disappointing to see this turn of character.
Second, Tony is now aggressively pursuing sex with an inner dialogue to match. Changing his ring tone and the reaction to his love interest’s spurn was laughable. It’s so uninteresting and, frankly, out of alignment with the first two books. Tony’s approach to sex in those was much less machismo and much more humanized.
As a female reader, I’m sad this new series may not be one I continue reading. I’m not opposed, but the clear left turn from the character development in the first two books means this was a deliberate choice by the author.
August 13, 2025
A thrilling trip with Tony to Italy and New York
The small town Iowa reporter gets himself wrapped up with the mob as he takes us along for a trip to his homeland. And we're along for an exciting New York adventure proving it's not Iowa nice.
The small town Iowa reporter gets himself wrapped up with the mob as he takes us along for a trip to his homeland. And we're along for an exciting New York adventure proving it's not Iowa nice.
March 27, 2021
This is the best Tony Harrington novel yet! It's a real page turner with an ending I did not see coming.
April 1, 2021
Another fun outing from Orney, Iowa's Tony Harrington. This time he travels to New York and Italy looking for, getting into and out of trouble.
April 21, 2021
Suspenseful, intriguing plot, love references to the Amalfi coast. Tony Harrington seems to find trouble wherever he goes. A very good read. I would highly recommend!
March 23, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. First time reading a Joseph LeValley book. Definitely will be reading more of his books.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews