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Deaf Row

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Retired from a big-city homicide beat to a small Colorado mountain town, ex-detective Woodrow “Mountain” Bell yearns only to fade away. He’s failed in so many ways as a father, a husband, friend, and cop that it might be too late for a meaningful life. When he stumbles across a long-forgotten, unsolved child murder, his first impulse is to let it lie … but he can’t. He’s drawn into the macabre mystery when he realizes the killer might still be near. Without help from ambivalent local cops, Bell must overcome the obstacles of time, age, and a lack of police resources by calling upon the unique skills of the end-of-the-road codgers he meets for coffee every morning—a club of old guys who call themselves Deaf Row. Soon, this motley crew finds itself on a collision course with a serial butcher.

DEAF ROW is more than a tense mystery novel, more than an unnerving psychological thriller drawn from Ron Franscell’s career as a bestselling true-crime writer and journalist. It is also a novel of men pushing back against time and death, trying not to disappear entirely. DEAF ROW is a moving, occasionally humorous, portrait of flawed people caught in a web of pain and regret. And although you might think you know where this ghastly case is headed, the climax will blindside you.

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2023

79 people are currently reading
1400 people want to read

About the author

Ron Franscell

30 books328 followers
Ron has written 19 books. His writing has been compared to Truman Capote, Charles Frazier and Robert Olen Butler—diverse, poetic, evocative and muscular. His new DEAF ROW—a mystery—proves it.


He burst onto the crime scene with THE DARKEST NIGHT (also titled FALL in a 2007 hardcover), which continues to be a bestselling true crime. This intensely personal nonfiction about a monstrous crime that touched his life as a child has been hailed by authors such as Ann Rule and Vincent Bugliosi, as well as critics, as a direct literary descendant of Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood."

His widely acclaimed 2016 true crime, MORGUE: A LIFE IN DEATH (co-authored with renowned medical examiner Dr. Vincent Di Maio) was nominated for an Edgar in 2017.

His most recent true crime, "ALICE & GERALD: A HOMICIDAL LOVE STORY" (Prometheus Books) explores a grisly, real-life case of murder and perverse devotion. "Alice & Gerald" features a femme fatale whose manipulative, cold-blooded character rivals Lady Macbeth, this page-turner revisits a shocking cold case that was finally solved just when the murderers thought they'd never be caught.

Over the years, Ron's books have earned high praise from bestselling authors such as Ann Rule, John Lescroart, Vincent Bugliosi, C.J. Box, Howard Frank Mosher, and Warren Adler. His writing has been compared to Truman Capote, Robert Olen Butler, Norman McLean, Cormac McCarthy and Charles Frazier. Now, meet the author, who now lives in northern New Mexico.

But Ron's books aren't confined to true-crime. THE SOURTOE COCKTAIL CLUB is the true story of an extraordinary -- if slightly macabre -- road trip with his teenage son to the Yukon in search of a mummified human toe .. and a father's reassurance that he hasn't become irrelevant to his son.

His CRIME BUFF'S GUIDE books are quirky travel guides that take true-crime and history-trippers to some 400 outlaw- and crime-related sites all over the USA. Editions include Los Angeles, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Washington DC, and Maryland.

His debut novel, ANGEL FIRE, was published by Laughing Owl in 1998, and reprinted by Berkley (Penguin/Putnam) in 2000. His popular mystery, THE DEADLINE, was re-published in 2014 by WildBlue Press, followed by a sequel, THE OBITUARY. His book reviews and essays are regularly published in many of America's biggest and best newspapers, such as the Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Denver Post, San Jose Mercury-News, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and others.

DELIVERED FROM EVIL (2011) explores the entangled lives of mass-murderers and their victims, tracing the lives of 10 ordinary people who survived some of America's worst massacres. Auspiciously, it debuted on the day a deranged young gunman killed six and wounded 13 at a Tucson supermarket in one of the most shocking crimes of our day.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Laura (thenerdygnomelife).
1,046 reviews2 followers
April 11, 2023
Just when I had officially declared myself not a fan of cold case mysteries, along comes Ron Franscell and "Deaf Row." 4.5 stars, rounded up!

Woodrow Bell is a retired homicide detective living in small-town Colorado, where each morning he meets up with similarly-aged older men in a group affectionately nicknamed Deaf Row. In addition to swapping stories of their latest aging ailments, they also reminisce and share gossip about the community around them. During one such conversation, Bell learns about a cold case that still haunts one of the town's families — the murder of a teenage girl decades before. Her father is now in a nursing home and grappling with dementia, and Bell is urged by his friend, the town's pastor, to help bring answers to the man while his mind is still able to grasp them. Aided by his aging cronies and lingering connections in law enforcement, Bell picks up his old habits and begins investigating the case.

The audiobook format was well narrated and it didn't take long for the characters and events to come to life. Unlike some other cold-case books, where I've felt like I was simply listening to a recounting of events, Franscell created an immersive narrative that unfolded in real-time. I was able to believe in the breaks of the case, which were ingenious enough that I could see how they might have been missed the first time. It was particularly enjoyable to see the various members of Deaf Row contribute, as each came from a different background and profession, which helped give Bell fresh perspective.

The ending is a bit dark, and the murders were gruesome and chilling, but this is still an author and narrator I'd be happy to revisit in the future.
Profile Image for Candi.
6 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2023
Excellent!

Ron Franscell never disappoints! I simply could no stop reading! I received the Kindle version on Valentine's Day and I just finished reading. The story unwinds and you're sure you know where it is going, and then the plot twists. I never saw the end coming! Mr. Franscells long history of true crime writing, really shows in this novel. His attention to detail is breathtaking and gut wrenching. Definitely a top 10 must read!
Profile Image for Ailie Vuper.
78 reviews
February 25, 2023
This was an interesting and entertaining read! I liked the underlying crime/mystery that drove the story (even as horrible as it was). However, what I really enjoyed was Bell and his fellow Deaf Row friends. It was very charming to see how they all played their part in solving the case and their humor and life views were a refreshing take on the typical crime novel. Would love to see a sequel!
37 reviews1 follower
November 9, 2023
A good mystery, but a bit too disturbing for me. Also, I didn’t like the constant references to what words priests can and cannot say and also the main character’s confusion over cell phones.
Profile Image for Devone.
51 reviews
June 15, 2023
A surprisingly enjoyable read about a bunch of old guys out to catch a serial killer. The old priest’s prayers made the entire book 😆
Profile Image for Pamela.
711 reviews
April 23, 2023
This is my first book by this author.....but will NOT be my last. Wow! Loved the characters, loved the story, (okay, there were parts that were a bit gruesome....but), loved the idea of a retired cop working to solve a cold case to put his friend's dementia-ridden mind to rest. This was one I "thought" I'd figured out.....but......nope! Great ending! Highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Jenn.
44 reviews7 followers
February 26, 2023
Very readable! Wonderful storytelling! Franscell frames words and ideas so vividly, we won’t soon forget them. There are no spoilers for the horror scenes, but I must share that I felt immediately drawn to writing that includes the placement of an old folks’ home between streets called Sunrise and Sunset and that naming another O’MyGawd Road must certainly be a harbinger of, well, something to come! The tale begins when the retired detective, Woodrow Mountain Bell, inadvertently strays into the path of a nursing home resident who tells him that he just wants to know who killed his little girl. Try as he may, Woodrow can’t stop his former detective radar from working overtime, thinking about how awful it would be to have spent a lifetime wondering and never getting that answer. With his unofficial detective status and little support from local law enforcement, how would he gain access to resources to help uncover the killer who may still be close at hand despite the passage of time? Enter Deaf Row, the cadre of old men Woodrow meets with early each day to share coffee and camaraderie. There, at the local diner, the old guys try to solve the world's problems or at least kick them around. Drawing on his buddies’ strengths and experience, Woodrow brings some renewed value and purpose into the lives of these fading fellows, involving them all in a suspenseful, psychologically hideous murder mystery. Assuredly, you will keep the pages turning toward the nerve-wracking, explosive ending. And, like me, you may even begin eavesdropping on that group of old guys, always present at your local eatery, each time you step in for breakfast.
Profile Image for B.J. Burgess.
790 reviews24 followers
February 28, 2023
I'm not sure why mysteries draw me in, but lately, I've been devouring these yarns. Although DEAF ROW's cover and blurb may appear "generic" at first sight, the novel has a solid narrative that will please lovers of C.J. Box and Lee Child, two authors I've only begun reading within the last year. This is my first time reading anything by author Ron Franscell, whom I'm mortified to admit I'd never heard of until this book. And after reading DEAF ROW, I'm impressed with his narrative skills. He created fully realized characters, provided the readers with in-depth descriptions, and included a few twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages.

It appealed to me that an elderly group, calling themselves DEAF ROW, in a little mountain town in Colorado would team up to try to solve a mystery. I found Woodrow "Mountain" Bell, the novel's primary protagonist and a former homicide detective, to be a fascinating and well-rounded character. Overall, DEAF ROW is a masterfully written mystery that kept me turning the pages until I reached the very end. ╌★★★★★
Profile Image for Laurie.
920 reviews49 followers
July 6, 2023
I'm a sucker for books that take place in my home state of Colorado. Which I'm guessing is what caught my eye, because I'm not sure where or how I heard about this book, but I'm glad I did.

Deaf Row: a group of old men who gather each morning at the diner in a dying mining town in the mountains of Colorado. Bell, one of the groups members is a retired Denver homocide detective who hears about the unsolved brutal murder of a young teen girl that happened there 40 some years before. These men are all looking for something to fill their dwindling days and Bell has now found something that makes him feel alive and useful again. His friends and their particular skill sets all find a way to contribute to the hunt for this previously undetected serial killer.

A fascinating read with lots of chilling moments, an old abandoned insane asylum, and in-depth characters all sprinkled with plenty of humor.

I'll adding more Ron Franscell to my reading list.
Profile Image for Hari Brandl.
515 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2024
Ultimately a disappointing book. I was looking forward to reading fiction by Ron Franscell because of his reputation, but this novel is trivial, and bordering on stupid after the first third or half.
The main character can't figure out a simple cell phone, nor can he seem to ask one of his friends to brief him in the rudiments. Another character is deaf and doesn't use a hearing device to keep him from ridiculous misunderstandings that get old after the first, oh, three, maybe? And none of the main characters knows what words a priest can or can't use. Again this gets stupid after the first, maybe three incidents, but there are many more.
The storyline is over the top and cartoonish.
There is one good remark that is really good, comparing the serial killer's family tree to a telephone pole.
I don't recommend this book to anyone, and probably, from now on, will stick to Mr Franscell's true crime writing.
Profile Image for Jackie Martello.
285 reviews2 followers
October 13, 2025
4.75 stars! Wonderfully and beautifully written book with great characters that are authentically human and also likable. The story is great as well, but make no mistake- this. Novel is driven by the terrific characters themselves which includes of course the people, but also the town, the diner, the weather, the car and motorcycle, and the state of Colorado too! I liked the main protagonist and the characters of the Catholic priest and the black woman detective the best, but the aging and infirm group of men which add so much depth and familiarity to the book. The narration of the audiobook is excellent, the anrt of the cover, and the whole project was very professionally executed and performed.
Profile Image for Kathy Keefe.
36 reviews2 followers
March 6, 2023
Having checked out the audio book ended up being a great decision. I especially loved the character’s personality as developed by the author. They really came to life in the audiobook. The narrator was superb.
The story is a fictional account of a group of self described codgers lead by a retired Denver detective who embark on a quest to solve a 50 year old murder cold case.
The plot twists and turns and provides an intriguing story line. It is a story about a serial killer and and is very intense in parts but Ron Franscell manages to interject enough lightness through his character interactions that the reader does not get bogged down in the often gruesome facts of the story.
913 reviews6 followers
March 15, 2023
I am a big fan of Author Ron Franscell and this book hit the bullseye even though it is different from anything I have previously read by him. A group of retired men from various occupations meet every morning at the Tommyknocker's Cafe in Midnight, Colorado for breakfast and to do what all older men do - reminisce. A young girl disappeared and was found murdered years ago and the case went cold. Retired former detective Woodrow Bell gets talked into looking into it. This is such a delightfully funny and serious story with all its twists and turns and is a real page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it.
527 reviews
May 10, 2024
A unique mystery whose hero is a seventy something old retired cop. With the help of his best friend (a retired priest), a group of old men that he breakfasts with every day (Deaf Row), his girlfriend, and his old partner.
The graphic description of violence committed by a serial killer was hard to hear. Along with the rape of a child and the generational consequences. But the humor and caring amongst a group of old men was the thread that held the story together.
As they said in the book (not the exact quote though)...every day that you wake up and your obituary isn't in the papers is a blessing/good day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
168 reviews
January 3, 2026
What A Gem of a Book

I really enjoyed this book and honestly I didn't think I would. But the way the story unfolded grabbed me. The scenery, the description of each of the characters, their past. They were sad, tragic, funny, hopeful, still smart and caring. And in the end I liked it because the friends all had a hand in solving the mystery. They felt useful. Buy this book it will lift your spirits and yes, remind you and me..that just because a person is old, disabled or living in a nursing home does not mean they have nothing to contribute .thank you Ron Franscell for the reminder
Profile Image for Jay Williams.
1,718 reviews33 followers
December 27, 2022
As you can feel of deep cold in the high mountains. The mystery followings a family that is incestuous and entangled. A retired police investigator drawn into a crime of a young girl. The treat of the killed girl brings hideous suffer, and as the discover of the many other kills are more and more reveals. The book is brought to a ending that is different and strange. I was engrossed into the book and was held to the very end. A little of romance and sharing of friends makes an entertaining story.
Profile Image for Casey Rislov.
Author 10 books66 followers
May 6, 2023
This is a mystery thriller. There is a lot going on in the sleepy mountain town in Colorado. But most of it has happened behind the scenes. The book goes back and forth between the elder group that meets every day for coffee at a local dinner to the thoughts and going on's of retired detective Woodrow "Moutain" Bell to the serial killing happening under everyone's noses. The characters are people you enjoy getting to know, except of course the ones who are evil at their very core. Each character plays an important role in this awful murder mystery.
Profile Image for Jean .
667 reviews21 followers
December 6, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. Even though it offers a mystery with gruesome crimes, the serious crime should be able to be tolerated by anyone with a funny bone. The “good guys’” banter delighted me and kept me laughing out loud. The priest’s prayers are a stitch too, even though they are appropriate to those who are praying with him. The mystery part of the story was excellent, too.

It was a joy to have found and read Deaf Row! I have read two other books Ron Franscell. I appreciated them, but they were not fun. This was a treat!
1 review
February 22, 2023
Wow! I usually read before bed and only for a little while each night. I started this book on Saturday before bed, read a little more on Sunday before bed and then on Monday I was hooked. The characters were so well written it felt as if I knew them. 'Mountain' Bell is a authentic character with Father Bert being very relatable. The entire plot of the book was compelling. I finished the book, much to my chagrin, on Tuesday morning. What a great read!!! Quick, where's the sequel?
1 review1 follower
March 23, 2023
A really good book that will keep you up all night reading and may keep you up with nightmares after you are finished. The characters in the book are well-developed and you will find yourself missing them in the end. Although the book can be gruesome, I found myself laughing out loud in parts which helped with the overall grisly parts.

Highly recommend for those who enjoy these types of stories. We need more stories from the "Tommyknockers Cafe" gang.
17 reviews
August 30, 2023
Really loved this thriller/crime novel. In small town Colorado, a group of retired men, including one ex-cop begin investigating a death that happened decades ago. The group affectionately referred to as "Deaf Row" due to their collective failing hearing has members who have lived in the small town for generations and remember the death, and folks who moved there later and only know the stories. Cleverly written, and I loved the narrator of the audio version.
555 reviews
March 14, 2024
2.5
Liked the idea of the old useless, retired cop, finding way to remain useful, and finding the talent,skill or resource that all his old useless pals had that could help solve this terrible mystery. But the copy editing had problems that were distracting and writing really needed to be tightened up and improved. By the end I just wanted it to end. Also, we got well too icky and violently gross for me.
Profile Image for Rohit.
7 reviews
October 19, 2024
I’m a sucker for good gritty cop-cold-case murder stuff and this was a great read.
The tension was rife throughout, however, I’d expected more of a twist ending. Perhaps I’ve been watching too many such shows on Netflix that I’d expected something else, while in this case it was a bit of a damp squib.

Too many characters throughout the book, could’ve made great supporting characters and perhaps also great antagonists had things gone that way.

Nevertheless, still worth the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Quirkybookwormkat.
433 reviews38 followers
December 22, 2022
How come I’ve never heard of this author?!? This book is great! I just had difficulty the first two chapters because it was slow going, but after reading the whole book, I totally get it. I have laughed out loud in some sections in the books This book is what guys will read. Action, detective, thriller and humor. I just enjoy f it!👍🏻
Profile Image for Linda.
1,370 reviews13 followers
February 14, 2023
This is a slow burn mystery. The characters remind me of some older family members who enjoy their daily meetings and tease each other unmercifully. When Mountain Bell stumbles across a child's murder that has never been solved, he becomes engrossed in finding out what happened. The truth surprised me. I would recommend it. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Laura.
401 reviews106 followers
March 16, 2023
This is a great book. A retired Denver detective and his "old man" friends work together to solve a 50 year old murder. Very gripping, edge of your seat excitement. The characters are well developed and delightful. All have their own quirky personalities.

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
Profile Image for Sarah Harrigan.
12 reviews1 follower
April 14, 2023
The only bad thing about a fabulous book is it has to end. I toggled between racing to finish and savoring every word. The characters are described in such a way that you feel you truly know them. The riveting storyline shows how such things can haunt the very people that solve this horrific crimes. Kudos to Ron for another brilliant story.
21 reviews
December 9, 2025
determined work to solve the mysret

Old old resident wonders what happened to his daughter years ago. A retired detective works with others to resolve the murders of many missing young daughters. Plenty of scary mountain driving, ave investigation are part of the story. One is kept reading until the final death.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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