The Cassandra Unit

by Tom Albright

Clark has to interview a murderer up for parole. The case has haunted him since he found the files as a child and he opportunistically used his father’s name to access the first interview. The murderer persuades Clark to investigate the mine which was the crime scene. The secrets and twists Clark discovers are as complicated and unpredictable as the network of abandoned iron mines in Harriman St. Park. Clark is caught in a three way trap and must choose between preserving his father’s reputation, possibly letting a child murderer go free, and keeping the job he spent his life perfecting.

186 pages, Paperback

Published November 19, 2024

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first thing this book has going for it is its protagonist, Clark Westfield, who is an intrepid journalist covering a horrific child murder case he's been covering his entire life. As a former journalist, I'm a sucker for a journalist protagonist, especially in a murder mystery.

If you like murder mysteries combined with Cold War history and government experiments, this book is for you as well. As the debut novel from Albright, I'm expecting great things in the future.

One of the things I loved best about this book was the internal struggle Westfield has with wanting to do the right thing, wanting to reveal the truth, and where the line between those two falls. Journalists, at least the good ones, constantly have to consider the effects of their stories, and this struggle brought Westfield off the page and into my living room.

There are a few formatting issues in the book, but as every self-published author will tell you, there is a lot to learn to publish your own book.

Fortunately, Albright spoke frankly with us about the challenges he faced and the inspiration behind his novel. I hope all of you aspiring writers find inspiration in his journey and readers will give this [soon to be] series a chance.

Read the interview here: https://apenandapage.com/the-cassandr...

[Mel Pablos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cassandra Unit explores a haunting premise: how a single, unresolved crime can echo through a lifetime and shape a journalist’s sense of truth, responsibility, and identity. The story is grounded in a deep understanding of newsroom culture and investigative work, and it’s clear the author brings personal insight and respect for the profession to the page.

Stylistically, the novel leans toward a traditional, earnest narrative voice. This will resonate strongly with some readers, particularly those drawn to classic investigative fiction. At times, it felt a little guided and slow for my personal taste, but I can see how this clarity and structure will be a real strength for others. The book is clearly driven by intention and care, and that comes through on every page.

Overall, The Cassandra Unit raises important questions about journalistic responsibility and the personal cost of pursuing justice.

[RedReading_Hood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Albright did an amazing job with this mystery thriller. The book follows a protagonist named Clark Westfield, a journalist covering a brutal child murder case that he's been following for years...full of shocking twists and turns with thrilling suspense. As far a debuts novels are concerned I was very impressed. I can't wait to get a peak at the rest of the series!!!

[Amy Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very engaging story with a unique plot line that had a lot of twist and turns and surprises along the way. The characters were well developed and the connection to the main characters past was grounded and didn't feel forced. A great read!