A Formula for Murder

Nick Steele #1

by Dave Vizard

After top school officials decide that it’s more important to protect the institution they work for than to look out for the best interests of teens who have been sexually abused by a teacher, a parent plans to find justice for the girls by killing three officials with prescription medicine. Reporter Nick Steele gets a call to write an obituary for one of the dead men. Steele, considered washed up by his newsroom colleagues, overcomes his own demons and unravels the murder plot as this question Who dies next?

260 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Dave is a former award-winning newspaper reporter, editor, and columnist. He also edited a Northern Michigan life style magazine called True North. He is a founding member of the Huron Area Writers Group, and is a licensed Realtor to keep slobbering, drooling wolves away from his door while continuing to write and edit from his home near Lake Huron in the Thumb of Michigan.

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book starts out slowly, with some dated, awkward writing and sexist wording. It picks up later in the book and becomes more of a page-turner.

[Argum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, beset by continuity errors. I did enjoy, but kept getting distracted by things. The main love interest is 37 yet is a year or two younger than students who graduated high school just 8 years ago. This is not a typo as she is also about a decade younger than our 50ish main character. The main character's wife died in multiple ways as well.

Overall though, when I ignored the problems I did like the mystery. I did like the two lovebirds no matter what age they might be. Will try the next one, but if editing doesn't improve don't know if I can stick it out.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this series out of sequence but the very fact that I went back and read all of them shows that the series is worth reading and is an especially fun read for Michiganders. Nick Steele is given an obit to write by the newspaper and in his obviously usual way looks for some interesting facts about the person because he meant a great deal to the people of Bay City. But one thing leads to another and another question and the pursuit finally comes into a terrible miscarriage of justice in the local school system in which the deceased played a very important part. Nick, who lives a life of booze and late hours meets Tanya who he realizes he is developing a feeling for brings back some of his former life to being a great reporter who really checks the facts. The mystery is interesting and keeps a reader engaged to the conclusion.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose to read this book because it was written by a local author and had a local setting. It did keep my interest pretty well, but several details do not make sense related to timeline of events. At the beginning of the story, one of the main characters age is established as 37. But later in the story, it claims this character was in high school just 8 years ago. I will still give the next book in the series a shot.

[Stephanie Prusak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick, easy read. Being from Michigan and knowing that area, I was able to relate to most of the locations in the book.

[Paula Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was read by my book group since the author was originally from Marlette. He actually worked at the Bay City Times where this story takes place. We met for dinner and he discussed this book and a sequel coming out soon.
Two former administrators are dead 6 years apart when a reporter doing a story stumbles on the fact that these two men might have been murdered with a third in danger of the same fate. A band teacher who has been sexually abusing his teen students was covered up by these three men and someone is trying to get even for the injustice. Who is it? Where is the former band teacher? Who knew about the cover up. Will Nick Steel solve the mystery in time?

[Michael R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in Cleveland for the past 25+ years, I enjoyed this novel of my 'hometown' (although more of an Auburnite than a Bay Citian). All the reference to places, roads, and colleges, that I have been to.

The novel stands on it's own as a great murder mystery that was well crafted, and very believable. Nick the writer is a likable character as the aging writer still trying to hack it with his much younger writing staff. I enjoyed how a simple obit assignment was slowly unraveled to reveal secret past sins, which would now come to light.

The only disappointing aspect of this story to me is that the true villain of the piece is still on loose as the novel ends. Although it is implied Balz would track him down, would have preferred if that creep had been caught first. More satisfying.

I found the chapter headers to be very unique and really enjoyed them.

[Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting premise for a mystery story. I found it to be both captivating and intriguing. The characters are well described and thus very much seem to be real people. The location of this story happens to be my home town, and is captured very well by the author. It made me wonder if I had missed some old news, because this seemed so real. He did not try to over embellish anything, but made the whole main story, and smaller sub-stories seem true to life. I would highly recommend this book, especially if you like small town mysteries, or stories that make you wonder if they could happen in your home town.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book but it is also set in my hometown in Michigan and I have been to almost all the places that the characters go. O'Hare's Pub with the upside down Christmas tree hanging from the ceiling, the Hub for lunch, the Paddock on the West Side, driving down Wilder Rd., and on. Plus, I got invested in the characters and was rooting for them. Totally didn't see the twist coming so that was a nice addition.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story. Well written, good plot with enough twists, you only think (several times) that you've solved the mystery. Why did these two men die? Was it murder? If so what if the third member of the trio dies? There was such a long time between the first two deaths. How can we prevent #3, if they were murders? You'll like the story!

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book. Murderer eluded me until the end. Disappointed with big resolution, but hoping series resolves it. Enjoyed the story and mixed real Michigan background. Some editing needed, but great for a first novel.

[Dianna Marquardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

I liked the story and the concept...his style of writing is different, but I'm going to give the next in the series a try. UPDATE: I got hooked! I'm currently on #8 in the series and hopefully there will be more. Totally love Nick Steele.