Blood Tracks

by Karen Rose Cercone

While collecting protection money from Pittsburgh's bars and brothels in 1905, detective Milo Kachigan learns that his friend, Helen Sorby, may be involved in the murder of a Westinghouse engineer in a historical mystery by the author of Steel Ashes. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Mystery, Historical Fiction

242 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

About the author

For Karen Rose Cercone, writing is just another way to flex her teaching muscles. The IUP geoscience professor teaches her readers about science and scientists through her Star Trek novels and history through her series of historical mysteries.

She has co-written some eleven Star Trek novels with fellow writer Julia Ecklar under the name L.A. Graf. The name stands for "Let's All Get Rich and Famous" and was the name of a writer's group to which the two authors belonged. Their first Star Trek novel came out in 1990.

The two authors have split the writing by dividing up the characters. Cercone takes the scientists. "I want to have a really positive portrayal of science and show scientists are human beings using this technique to solve problems," said Cercone. "I want my scientists to be the heroes and the role models. I have a lot of women scientists."

Reviews

[Eric]

Again, like Steel Ashes, Karen Rose Cercone's Blood Tracks is set in Pittsburgh at the dawn of the 20th Century. It's a good basis for a novel. Reppin' the 412, again.

[Dewdrop]

Enjoyed the history woven into a decent mystery

[Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides]

This was not as interesting as its prequel. The romantic plotline was less satisfying, and I kind of found myself wanting to just flip ahead to the historical note at the end.