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Coleridge Taylor Mystery #1
Last Words
In March of 1975, as New York City hurtles toward bankruptcy and the Bronx burns, newsman Coleridge Taylor roams police precincts and ERs. He is looking for the story that will deliver him from obits, his place of exile at the Messenger-Telegram. Ever since he was demoted from the police beat for inventing sources, the 34-year-old has been a lost soul.
A break comes at Bellevue, where Taylor views the body of a homeless teen picked up in the Meatpacking District. Taylor smells a rat: the dead boy looks too clean, and he's wearing a distinctive Army field jacket. A little digging reveals that the jacket belonged to a hobo named Mark Voichek and that the teen was a spoiled society kid up to no good, the son of a city official.
Taylor's efforts to protect Voichek put him on the hit list of three goons who are willing to kill any number of street people to cover tracks that just might lead to City Hall. Taylor has only one ally in the newsroom, young and lovely reporter Laura Wheeler. Time is not on his side. If he doesn't wrap this story up soon, he'll be back on the obits page--as a headline, not a byline.
Last Words won the Bronze Medal for mystery/thriller ebook in the 2015 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs) and was named a Finalist in the 2015 Foreword Reviews IndieFab Book of the Year Awards. It was also a Finalist in the mystery category of the 2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
A break comes at Bellevue, where Taylor views the body of a homeless teen picked up in the Meatpacking District. Taylor smells a rat: the dead boy looks too clean, and he's wearing a distinctive Army field jacket. A little digging reveals that the jacket belonged to a hobo named Mark Voichek and that the teen was a spoiled society kid up to no good, the son of a city official.
Taylor's efforts to protect Voichek put him on the hit list of three goons who are willing to kill any number of street people to cover tracks that just might lead to City Hall. Taylor has only one ally in the newsroom, young and lovely reporter Laura Wheeler. Time is not on his side. If he doesn't wrap this story up soon, he'll be back on the obits page--as a headline, not a byline.
Last Words won the Bronze Medal for mystery/thriller ebook in the 2015 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs) and was named a Finalist in the 2015 Foreword Reviews IndieFab Book of the Year Awards. It was also a Finalist in the mystery category of the 2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
250 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2014
About the author
Rich Zahradnik
7 books113 followersRich Zahradnik is the author of the thriller The Bone Records and the four critically acclaimed Coleridge Taylor mysteries, including Lights Out Summer, winner of the Shamus Award from the Private Eye Writers of America.
Lights Out Summer won the 2018 Shamus Award for Best Paperback Private Eye Novel. The first three books in the series collected awards in the three major competitions for books published by independent presses. A Black Sail was named best mystery in the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Drop Dead Punk received the gold medal for mystery ebook in the 2016 IPPY Awards, while Last Words won the bronze medal for mystery ebook in the 2015 IPPYs.
Zahradnik was a journalist for 27 years, working as a reporter and editor in several different media, including online, newspaper, broadcast, magazine and wire services. He held editorial positions at CNN, Bloomberg News, AOL and The Hollywood Reporter.
Zahradnik was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, and received his B.A. in journalism and political science from George Washington University. He lives with his wife Sheri in Pelham, New York, where he writes fiction and teaches kids around the New York area how to publish newspapers. He is providing guidance to the Pelham Examiner, the first community newspaper in New York State managed, edited, reported, and written by people under the age of eighteen.
Lights Out Summer won the 2018 Shamus Award for Best Paperback Private Eye Novel. The first three books in the series collected awards in the three major competitions for books published by independent presses. A Black Sail was named best mystery in the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Drop Dead Punk received the gold medal for mystery ebook in the 2016 IPPY Awards, while Last Words won the bronze medal for mystery ebook in the 2015 IPPYs.
Zahradnik was a journalist for 27 years, working as a reporter and editor in several different media, including online, newspaper, broadcast, magazine and wire services. He held editorial positions at CNN, Bloomberg News, AOL and The Hollywood Reporter.
Zahradnik was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, and received his B.A. in journalism and political science from George Washington University. He lives with his wife Sheri in Pelham, New York, where he writes fiction and teaches kids around the New York area how to publish newspapers. He is providing guidance to the Pelham Examiner, the first community newspaper in New York State managed, edited, reported, and written by people under the age of eighteen.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 15, 2016
Kind of a sleeper. A period piece set in 1975 in the gritty parts of New York, a disgraced news reporter who has been demoted to writing obituaries finds a compelling story, which he hopes will restore him to good graces. A dead young homeless person is brought to the morgue frozen to death, but his physical condition belies his appearance. Taylor figures out who the dead boy really is, and is determined to find the culpable party and deliver justice (to save his job.) He makes friends in the homeless community via compasson when tracking down the owner of the clothes in which the boy was found. I liked the author's delineation between homeless, hobos, bums, etc. too.
January 31, 2016
I love a good series! Love to get connected to the characters and watch them grow throughout. The setting and time are important too in a series and this one takes you right back to the mid 1970's, New York City...I grew up in the 70's, so it was fun to be transported back in time. Loved all the references to music!
What makes a book good is when the author can make you love the characters and the setting and I feel Zahradnik does that in this series.
This Coleridge Taylor mystery is new to me, but I really liked it. I even bought the 2nd in the series already.
What makes a book good is when the author can make you love the characters and the setting and I feel Zahradnik does that in this series.
This Coleridge Taylor mystery is new to me, but I really liked it. I even bought the 2nd in the series already.
February 12, 2015
This book was sent to me for a review on my blog, and while I am always wary of mysteries that involve a man having a younger woman as a love interest, this one at least had some originality to the storyline. As Taylor, a disgraced former journalist now relegated to the obituaries, investigates the murder of the son of a wealthy man in 1970s New York, he must call upon the local homeless community to help him. Not only must Taylor deal with the the superiors at his newspaper that are itching to be rid of him, but he also has to dodge the hired men sent to hunt not only him, but his sources. Plus there are the NYPD detectives who aren't too happy about a journalist knowing more about the case than they do. Without making the story painfully drawn out or trite, Zahradnik creates a mystery both complex and intriguing.
December 28, 2016
New York in 1975. Brings back a lot of memories. The protagonist is a newspaper reporter who's been demoted to write obituaries. The reason for his demotion is a story that proved to be false and was a set-up. Unfortunately, in this book you never learn who set him up. This dropped thread is the only disappointing aspect of a suspenseful story.
January 5, 2015
Last Words: Rich Zahradnik
A reporter’s job is to relate whatever happens in the news to the public in an honest, concise and interesting way. But, sometimes stories break, you think he have the facts the right way and then realize someone has set in a motion events that would lead you to the answers you thought you were going to get to produce and accurate account of what you learned but instead was a set up that would take you down. Told within several days in the 1975 in March, as New York is undergoing many changes a reporter for the Messenger Telegram named Coleridge Taylor comes upon a story that just might reignite his career, take him out of the obit doldrums and rise from being demoted from the police beat for inventing as some think sources to a prominent reporter. Entering Bellevue he views the body of what appears to be a homeless teen that was found in the Meatpacking District and brought to Bellevue. But, Taylor is astute, smart and when he looks over the body of this young teen he realizes that the elements of what a homeless man or teen would look like are not there. His clothes are too clean and he is wearing what appears to be an Army field jacket. Investigating even though he is supposed to be writing obits, Taylor finds that the jacket belongs to a hobo named Mark Voichek and further probing he learns the name of the deceased teen the son of a city official. Declan McNally was anything but the perfect young man and as Taylor begins to develop a profile of this young man different opinions arise as he speaks to some of his classmates, his teachers and father learning that this young man had many different sides and none of them very good. Girls found him dangerous and liked that about him. He was into drugs, alcohol and dealing. He fought with his father about his homework, stormed out of his house many times and used girls the same way people torn up movie tickets as something you toss aside after you are done with them. But, Taylor’s efforts do not endear him to those at the newspaper and the only one who helps him is Laura Wheeler and the librarian named Mrs. Wiggins. Searching files, combing the city to find Voichek to understand why his clothes wound up on Declan and why anyone would want to kill this young man, endangers Taylor and anyone that’s near him. But, Taylor believes that everyone is entitled to his or her final accolades, their final tribute or someone writing their Last Words.
While the South Bronx was experiencing its own problems a young teenage boy’s body was being identified leading to a chain of events that would take Taylor inside the breath and depth of a city that was riddled with corruption, murder, intrigue, drug dealers, swindlers and characters that fill the pages of this book each with their own story. With the aid of a homeless man named Harry Jansen Taylor gets his first lead from a man named Samuel. But, evidence piles up and the mystery is how this young man came to be wearing the clothes of a war veteran. A trip to the coroner’s office, then the funeral home and finally the name Declan Sean McNally is revealed as that of the deceased teen. But, when dealing with his parents Taylor begins to see a side of the father, Constable Declan that takes him inside the mind of a corrupt lawyer and city attorney. A family so tightly connected and protected they often present an image that they are above the law. As you meet Constable you begin to wonder if the death of his son really matters or he is acting upset just for show. With a brother on the force and a father in law who is into his own dealings and Manhattans Chief whose name is Johnny John Scudetto, you meet a family riddled in more than just corruption. All roads lead to a corrupt deal or contract that was given to another company and not McNally’s. Investigating this would prove dangerous for Taylor and for the one man that could help solve the crime. As he and Voichek run for their lives, get attacked, need more places to hide, something would happen that would change it all as more bodies fall and the one man who could help him is killed.
Meeting Declan’s friend’s readers get many different takes on this young man. Some thought he was cool, sold drugs, a rebel and did things his way and was not the best student. Others presented a different picture as did Carolyn Marie Bancroft who worked on the yearbook at Eli Prep where these students attended classes. Others like Reginald Morton and Dickie Bennett presented different viewpoints and were not forthcoming with information. But, Taylor enlisted the aid of Laura Wheeler a crime reporter on the Messenger-Telegram that risked not only her job but her life to help him solve this case and write a story that the powers that run the paper would notice and possibly return him to the police beat. There were many students that were friends with Declan and some remained close and others knew that he sold tests and illegal drugs. Declan was a rebel and followed his own rules but one person wanted him out of the way before he ruined his life and many others.
Declan suffered a beating after lacrosse practice at the hand of two of his so called friends and then the pieces of the puzzle start to fit together as Mark Voichek appears allows Taylor to interview him and the name Karl Pororski comes to light which involves a street cleaning contractor and a contract awarded to Clean Streets.
Interviews with more friends, a long talk with Pororski, linking his affiliations to someone close to the investigation will Taylor see the light and figure out who is behind the murders and why before he becomes the next body in the morgue?
Lies, deceptions, betrayals, deceits, corruptions, hate, personal lives explored and placed under a microscope, author Rich Zahradnik takes readers inside the minds of businessmen who will do anything to get the contract, use their power and influence to gain favors and control and one young man that got in the way. As we hear the voice of Lydia McNally defending her husband, threats, deals made in backrooms, and drug deals and bad threats coming her way, what will she do to learn the truth or will she repeat the message that she receives on the phone from one man that could take it all away from her? From the streets of New York to the subways, the inner tunnels and more Taylor chases down the story of a lifetime but will he succeed?
Deals revealed, more than one killer at large and an ending that will not only surprise readers but help you understand just how far someone will go for power, money and to keep the lifestyle they wanted so badly. A story that will break hearts, tear down lives and remind people that good reporting is what makes a newspaper solid and great as Coleridge Taylor sits at his typewriter and writes two special stories: One last obit to honor a man’s life and the final story that will surely end a man’s career when he pens his Last Words.
Fran Lewis: Reviewer
A reporter’s job is to relate whatever happens in the news to the public in an honest, concise and interesting way. But, sometimes stories break, you think he have the facts the right way and then realize someone has set in a motion events that would lead you to the answers you thought you were going to get to produce and accurate account of what you learned but instead was a set up that would take you down. Told within several days in the 1975 in March, as New York is undergoing many changes a reporter for the Messenger Telegram named Coleridge Taylor comes upon a story that just might reignite his career, take him out of the obit doldrums and rise from being demoted from the police beat for inventing as some think sources to a prominent reporter. Entering Bellevue he views the body of what appears to be a homeless teen that was found in the Meatpacking District and brought to Bellevue. But, Taylor is astute, smart and when he looks over the body of this young teen he realizes that the elements of what a homeless man or teen would look like are not there. His clothes are too clean and he is wearing what appears to be an Army field jacket. Investigating even though he is supposed to be writing obits, Taylor finds that the jacket belongs to a hobo named Mark Voichek and further probing he learns the name of the deceased teen the son of a city official. Declan McNally was anything but the perfect young man and as Taylor begins to develop a profile of this young man different opinions arise as he speaks to some of his classmates, his teachers and father learning that this young man had many different sides and none of them very good. Girls found him dangerous and liked that about him. He was into drugs, alcohol and dealing. He fought with his father about his homework, stormed out of his house many times and used girls the same way people torn up movie tickets as something you toss aside after you are done with them. But, Taylor’s efforts do not endear him to those at the newspaper and the only one who helps him is Laura Wheeler and the librarian named Mrs. Wiggins. Searching files, combing the city to find Voichek to understand why his clothes wound up on Declan and why anyone would want to kill this young man, endangers Taylor and anyone that’s near him. But, Taylor believes that everyone is entitled to his or her final accolades, their final tribute or someone writing their Last Words.
While the South Bronx was experiencing its own problems a young teenage boy’s body was being identified leading to a chain of events that would take Taylor inside the breath and depth of a city that was riddled with corruption, murder, intrigue, drug dealers, swindlers and characters that fill the pages of this book each with their own story. With the aid of a homeless man named Harry Jansen Taylor gets his first lead from a man named Samuel. But, evidence piles up and the mystery is how this young man came to be wearing the clothes of a war veteran. A trip to the coroner’s office, then the funeral home and finally the name Declan Sean McNally is revealed as that of the deceased teen. But, when dealing with his parents Taylor begins to see a side of the father, Constable Declan that takes him inside the mind of a corrupt lawyer and city attorney. A family so tightly connected and protected they often present an image that they are above the law. As you meet Constable you begin to wonder if the death of his son really matters or he is acting upset just for show. With a brother on the force and a father in law who is into his own dealings and Manhattans Chief whose name is Johnny John Scudetto, you meet a family riddled in more than just corruption. All roads lead to a corrupt deal or contract that was given to another company and not McNally’s. Investigating this would prove dangerous for Taylor and for the one man that could help solve the crime. As he and Voichek run for their lives, get attacked, need more places to hide, something would happen that would change it all as more bodies fall and the one man who could help him is killed.
Meeting Declan’s friend’s readers get many different takes on this young man. Some thought he was cool, sold drugs, a rebel and did things his way and was not the best student. Others presented a different picture as did Carolyn Marie Bancroft who worked on the yearbook at Eli Prep where these students attended classes. Others like Reginald Morton and Dickie Bennett presented different viewpoints and were not forthcoming with information. But, Taylor enlisted the aid of Laura Wheeler a crime reporter on the Messenger-Telegram that risked not only her job but her life to help him solve this case and write a story that the powers that run the paper would notice and possibly return him to the police beat. There were many students that were friends with Declan and some remained close and others knew that he sold tests and illegal drugs. Declan was a rebel and followed his own rules but one person wanted him out of the way before he ruined his life and many others.
Declan suffered a beating after lacrosse practice at the hand of two of his so called friends and then the pieces of the puzzle start to fit together as Mark Voichek appears allows Taylor to interview him and the name Karl Pororski comes to light which involves a street cleaning contractor and a contract awarded to Clean Streets.
Interviews with more friends, a long talk with Pororski, linking his affiliations to someone close to the investigation will Taylor see the light and figure out who is behind the murders and why before he becomes the next body in the morgue?
Lies, deceptions, betrayals, deceits, corruptions, hate, personal lives explored and placed under a microscope, author Rich Zahradnik takes readers inside the minds of businessmen who will do anything to get the contract, use their power and influence to gain favors and control and one young man that got in the way. As we hear the voice of Lydia McNally defending her husband, threats, deals made in backrooms, and drug deals and bad threats coming her way, what will she do to learn the truth or will she repeat the message that she receives on the phone from one man that could take it all away from her? From the streets of New York to the subways, the inner tunnels and more Taylor chases down the story of a lifetime but will he succeed?
Deals revealed, more than one killer at large and an ending that will not only surprise readers but help you understand just how far someone will go for power, money and to keep the lifestyle they wanted so badly. A story that will break hearts, tear down lives and remind people that good reporting is what makes a newspaper solid and great as Coleridge Taylor sits at his typewriter and writes two special stories: One last obit to honor a man’s life and the final story that will surely end a man’s career when he pens his Last Words.
Fran Lewis: Reviewer
September 30, 2017
A remarkably good debut featuring 34-year-old reporter Coleridge Taylor. As indicated in the publisher's blurb, he was demoted from the police beat for "inventing sources" and forced to write obituaries. It seems as if the whole world is against him, his editors, the police, everyone except his colleague and protégé Laura Wheeler. Many years younger than Taylor, I could understand her admiration for his dedication to crime news and his investigative intensity, it was less clear what was the sexual attraction she found in him. Nevertheless, once he gets his teeth into a lead, he will pursue it with a passion. It's a short book, without a lot of filler, and moves along steadily, building excitement. The story progresses much like a police procedural.
This was the first time I listened to a book narrated by Donald Corren, but he was very good. I look forward to listening to the second in this series.
This was the first time I listened to a book narrated by Donald Corren, but he was very good. I look forward to listening to the second in this series.
April 19, 2022
Compré este libro en mi reciente viaje a NYC, justo quería una historia con escenario en esa ciudad y que mejor que una de resolver crímenes en los años 70s; estuvo estupendo volver a transitar las calles de esa hermosa ciudad, vivir el Bronx, Harlem, Queens, Times Sq, las calles de Manhattan y el subterráneo, qué nostalgia y delicia volver a través de la lectura.
Lo leí en inglés y me gustó, leer en inglés a veces me es pesado por el idioma pero eso no me pasó con este libro, una vez que le agarré el hilo, no podía parar de leer y me emocionaba cada vez más con el suspenso y la incógnita.
Le pongo 4 estrellas porque el final me pareció un poco apresurado, creo que pudo tener más acción, como la tuvo de manera excelente en escenas al inicio y mitad de la historia, también porque hay cosas que resultan demasiado fáciles para un protagonista que tiene que lidiar con criminales peligrosos, siento que es más por la naturaleza de periodista del autor.
En el transcurso de la lectura, descubrí que esto es una saga pero no sé si leeré las siguientes partes, tal vez cuando me sienta nostálgica por mis días en la ciudad, o quien sabe, quizás en mi próxima visita, me encuentre con el siguiente libro y me lo compre.
Lo leí en inglés y me gustó, leer en inglés a veces me es pesado por el idioma pero eso no me pasó con este libro, una vez que le agarré el hilo, no podía parar de leer y me emocionaba cada vez más con el suspenso y la incógnita.
Le pongo 4 estrellas porque el final me pareció un poco apresurado, creo que pudo tener más acción, como la tuvo de manera excelente en escenas al inicio y mitad de la historia, también porque hay cosas que resultan demasiado fáciles para un protagonista que tiene que lidiar con criminales peligrosos, siento que es más por la naturaleza de periodista del autor.
En el transcurso de la lectura, descubrí que esto es una saga pero no sé si leeré las siguientes partes, tal vez cuando me sienta nostálgica por mis días en la ciudad, o quien sabe, quizás en mi próxima visita, me encuentre con el siguiente libro y me lo compre.
February 16, 2019
I felt really connected to the characters, and love that this is the first in a series. The setting of the 1970’s in NYC is a a walk down memory lane for some of us, and a history lesson for the rest of us. Highly recommend!
January 31, 2022
I had read this book out of curiosity. I enjoyed reading this book because of the mystery and the drama. I loved that the story was set in New York City in 1975. I thought the novel was well written. It is a must read.
April 1, 2024
Whew. This was good. 4 3/4 - NYC in the 70’s crime drama. More please.
February 4, 2015
Last Words (Coleridge Taylor Series, #1) by Rich Zahradnik
Camel Press, 2014
Crime Fiction; 248 pgs
The publisher blurb begins, "In March of 1975, as New York City hurtles toward bankruptcy and the Bronx burns, newsman Coleridge Taylor roams police precincts and ERs." Taylor is down on his luck. Once the top reporter on the police beat in New York City, he now works obituaries. He doesn't belong behind desk, and so he spends his time visiting the hospitals and police stations, hoping to catch a story that will get his name in the headlines again. A side and overarching story which will likely flow into the next novel is the reason Taylor ends up sitting at the obits desk. He is determined to clear his name and gain back his reputation.
When a body is brought into Bellevue, Taylor immediately knows something is off. The young man, although dressed in homeless garb, is a little too clean to have been living on the streets. Sensing a story, he begins to follow whatever thread he can to find out the truth. Who was the victim? Who killed him? And why? With the help of fellow reporter Laura Wheeler, Taylor follows a trail that leads him deep into the homeless community and into the heart of the wealthy where he finds corruption and betrayal.
I suspected I would like Last Words when I first agreed to review it, but I didn't realize just how much. Author Rich Zahradnik has created richly drawn characters, both the major ones and the minor ones. Taylor may seem ambitious, and I suppose he even believes he is only out to get the story to save his reputation, but he clearly has a good heart. He believes in the truth and going out of his way to bring justice where it is needed. The reader also sees a more personal side to Taylor, his careful control of his drinking, his memories of his brother who was lost to the Vietnam War, and living in a trailer outside his own house. He's definitely got issues, and that makes him all the more interesting of a character.
I am quite fond of Laura Wheeler, another reporter, who, unfortunately, because of the time period, isn't being taken as seriously as her skills and intelligence deserve. She is very capable, however, and part of me hopes she shows up that patriarchy that holds women back in future novels in the series. Yes, I know she's not the main character in the series. But one can hope.
One of the aspects I loved most about this novel was the sense of time and place. I felt transported back to 1975, right to the streets that time period. The political, economic and social climate of the era feels palatable. I saw parallels between now and then, particularly for the newspaper business. In 1975, newspapers were suffering because of the popularity of television, forced out of business and merging to survive. Today it is the internet.
Last Words was an enjoyable mystery, atmospheric and suspenseful. This is one of those books I hope gets lots of attention. It deserves it.
Source: I received a print copy of this book from the publicist with Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc. for an honest review.
Camel Press, 2014
Crime Fiction; 248 pgs
The publisher blurb begins, "In March of 1975, as New York City hurtles toward bankruptcy and the Bronx burns, newsman Coleridge Taylor roams police precincts and ERs." Taylor is down on his luck. Once the top reporter on the police beat in New York City, he now works obituaries. He doesn't belong behind desk, and so he spends his time visiting the hospitals and police stations, hoping to catch a story that will get his name in the headlines again. A side and overarching story which will likely flow into the next novel is the reason Taylor ends up sitting at the obits desk. He is determined to clear his name and gain back his reputation.
When a body is brought into Bellevue, Taylor immediately knows something is off. The young man, although dressed in homeless garb, is a little too clean to have been living on the streets. Sensing a story, he begins to follow whatever thread he can to find out the truth. Who was the victim? Who killed him? And why? With the help of fellow reporter Laura Wheeler, Taylor follows a trail that leads him deep into the homeless community and into the heart of the wealthy where he finds corruption and betrayal.
I suspected I would like Last Words when I first agreed to review it, but I didn't realize just how much. Author Rich Zahradnik has created richly drawn characters, both the major ones and the minor ones. Taylor may seem ambitious, and I suppose he even believes he is only out to get the story to save his reputation, but he clearly has a good heart. He believes in the truth and going out of his way to bring justice where it is needed. The reader also sees a more personal side to Taylor, his careful control of his drinking, his memories of his brother who was lost to the Vietnam War, and living in a trailer outside his own house. He's definitely got issues, and that makes him all the more interesting of a character.
I am quite fond of Laura Wheeler, another reporter, who, unfortunately, because of the time period, isn't being taken as seriously as her skills and intelligence deserve. She is very capable, however, and part of me hopes she shows up that patriarchy that holds women back in future novels in the series. Yes, I know she's not the main character in the series. But one can hope.
One of the aspects I loved most about this novel was the sense of time and place. I felt transported back to 1975, right to the streets that time period. The political, economic and social climate of the era feels palatable. I saw parallels between now and then, particularly for the newspaper business. In 1975, newspapers were suffering because of the popularity of television, forced out of business and merging to survive. Today it is the internet.
Last Words was an enjoyable mystery, atmospheric and suspenseful. This is one of those books I hope gets lots of attention. It deserves it.
Source: I received a print copy of this book from the publicist with Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc. for an honest review.
January 2, 2015
3/11-17/1975, Coleridge Samuel Taylor (34, reporter, N.Y. Messenger-Telegram), was investigating a John Doe murdered victim who ended up in Belleview Hospital.
Harry Jansen (homeless man) gave Samuel his 1st lead. The John Doe had worn a WWII veterans jacket just like the one he had seem Mark Voichek (WWII veteran, hobo) wearing.
Nothing there.
Next stop the hospital & the city coroner.
St. Patrick Cathedral & the Carter & Carter funeral home.
It was confirmed the murdered victim was Declan Sean McNally Jr. (teen son).
Lydia McNally (mother), father; Constable Declan McNally Sr. (husband, City attorney), Liam McNally (brother, NYP/D), Mary (nee Murphy) McNally, NYP/D), & Sergeant Patrick McNally (NYPD), were Declan’s relation.
Declan was also Manhattan’s Democratic Chief Johnny John Scudetto grandson.
Next stop Eli Prep where he had went to school.
The students; Carolyn Marie Bancroft (yearbook), Reginald Morton (yearbook) & Dickie Bennett (yearbook photographer) gave Coleridge & Laura Wheeler (Columbia, crime reporter, N.Y. Messenger-Telegram) several pieces of information.
Ronald Carlson was his BMF. They both played lacrosse. Martin van der Meer is the lacrosse team Captain. Marcella Roberts was Ronald’s G/F, not anymore she hooked up with Declan.
Declan also stole H.S. class tests & was selling illegal drugs.
Next on the list Marcella Roberts.
Ronald & Martin had beaten up Declan after lacrosse practice.
Next stop St. Patrick Cathedral & the Carter & Carter funeral home.
Mark Voichek shows up there & is interviewed by Coleridge.
Coleridge & Mark hangout for quite a few days.
There is a contract out on him.
Who is Karl Poborski?
What about Garibaldi & Winkle (street cleaning contractor) & Clean Streets, Inc. (street cleaning contractor)?
Will Coleridge piece the murder mystery puzzle together & solve the crime?
Most politicians & big corporate business men are crooks. I wonder who wrote their code of ethics? Nixon was just a scapegoat.
I have some fond memories on Rolling Rock. PBR, top of my list. My favorite radio station when I lived back there WKIP.
Very impressive resume. P.S. was 1 of my undergrads.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written mystery who-dun-it crime book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a lot of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great crime movie, or mini TV series. 1 book you won’t want to put down. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free book (Goodreads; PDF, ARC)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Harry Jansen (homeless man) gave Samuel his 1st lead. The John Doe had worn a WWII veterans jacket just like the one he had seem Mark Voichek (WWII veteran, hobo) wearing.
Nothing there.
Next stop the hospital & the city coroner.
St. Patrick Cathedral & the Carter & Carter funeral home.
It was confirmed the murdered victim was Declan Sean McNally Jr. (teen son).
Lydia McNally (mother), father; Constable Declan McNally Sr. (husband, City attorney), Liam McNally (brother, NYP/D), Mary (nee Murphy) McNally, NYP/D), & Sergeant Patrick McNally (NYPD), were Declan’s relation.
Declan was also Manhattan’s Democratic Chief Johnny John Scudetto grandson.
Next stop Eli Prep where he had went to school.
The students; Carolyn Marie Bancroft (yearbook), Reginald Morton (yearbook) & Dickie Bennett (yearbook photographer) gave Coleridge & Laura Wheeler (Columbia, crime reporter, N.Y. Messenger-Telegram) several pieces of information.
Ronald Carlson was his BMF. They both played lacrosse. Martin van der Meer is the lacrosse team Captain. Marcella Roberts was Ronald’s G/F, not anymore she hooked up with Declan.
Declan also stole H.S. class tests & was selling illegal drugs.
Next on the list Marcella Roberts.
Ronald & Martin had beaten up Declan after lacrosse practice.
Next stop St. Patrick Cathedral & the Carter & Carter funeral home.
Mark Voichek shows up there & is interviewed by Coleridge.
Coleridge & Mark hangout for quite a few days.
There is a contract out on him.
Who is Karl Poborski?
What about Garibaldi & Winkle (street cleaning contractor) & Clean Streets, Inc. (street cleaning contractor)?
Will Coleridge piece the murder mystery puzzle together & solve the crime?
Most politicians & big corporate business men are crooks. I wonder who wrote their code of ethics? Nixon was just a scapegoat.
I have some fond memories on Rolling Rock. PBR, top of my list. My favorite radio station when I lived back there WKIP.
Very impressive resume. P.S. was 1 of my undergrads.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written mystery who-dun-it crime book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a lot of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great crime movie, or mini TV series. 1 book you won’t want to put down. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free book (Goodreads; PDF, ARC)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
October 10, 2015
Rich Zahradnik in his new book, “Last Words” Book One in the Coleridge Taylor Mystery series published by Camel Press gives us the first adventure with Coleridge Taylor.
From the back cover: In March of 1975, as New York City hurtles toward bankruptcy and the Bronx burns, newsman Coleridge Taylor roams police precincts and ERs. He is looking for the story that will deliver him from obits, his place of exile at the Messenger-Telegram. Ever since he was demoted from the police beat for inventing sources, the 34-year-old has been a lost soul.
A break comes at Bellevue, where Taylor views the body of a homeless teen picked up in the Meatpacking District. Taylor smells a rat: the dead boy looks too clean, and he’s wearing a distinctive Army field jacket. A little digging reveals that the jacket belonged to a hobo named Mark Voichek and that the teen was a spoiled society kid up to no good, the son of a city official.
Taylor’s efforts to protect Voichek put him on the hit list of three goons who are willing to kill any number of street people to cover tracks that just might lead to City Hall. Taylor has only one ally in the newsroom, young and lovely reporter Laura Wheeler. Time is not on his side. If he doesn’t wrap this story up soon, he’ll be back on the obits page–as a headline, not a byline.
I think that this is a very clever mystery series. To the best of my knowledge there was an old radio show and one TV show that had a newspaper reporter hero. I do not see why as I feel that they make for brilliant investigative characters. “Last Words” is a highly intriguing mystery. Declan looks like a homeless teen that died but he is anything but. Now the investigation is on. This murder just might have doings at City Hall. If Coleridge Taylor can survive this investigation the paper just might put him back on as a journalist. If not he gets put on as a headline. I think Coleridge Taylor is a highly complex hugely interesting character and he is surrounded by a fairly interesting supporting cast as well. Mr. Zahradnik has written a story that will keep you going in circles as Taylor tries to sort through all the clues. “Last Words” is quite an engrossing book. Don’t start this book late at night as it will cost you sleep as you try to finish it before you go to bed. I am looking forward to more from Mr. Zahradnik and this wonderful series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: In March of 1975, as New York City hurtles toward bankruptcy and the Bronx burns, newsman Coleridge Taylor roams police precincts and ERs. He is looking for the story that will deliver him from obits, his place of exile at the Messenger-Telegram. Ever since he was demoted from the police beat for inventing sources, the 34-year-old has been a lost soul.
A break comes at Bellevue, where Taylor views the body of a homeless teen picked up in the Meatpacking District. Taylor smells a rat: the dead boy looks too clean, and he’s wearing a distinctive Army field jacket. A little digging reveals that the jacket belonged to a hobo named Mark Voichek and that the teen was a spoiled society kid up to no good, the son of a city official.
Taylor’s efforts to protect Voichek put him on the hit list of three goons who are willing to kill any number of street people to cover tracks that just might lead to City Hall. Taylor has only one ally in the newsroom, young and lovely reporter Laura Wheeler. Time is not on his side. If he doesn’t wrap this story up soon, he’ll be back on the obits page–as a headline, not a byline.
I think that this is a very clever mystery series. To the best of my knowledge there was an old radio show and one TV show that had a newspaper reporter hero. I do not see why as I feel that they make for brilliant investigative characters. “Last Words” is a highly intriguing mystery. Declan looks like a homeless teen that died but he is anything but. Now the investigation is on. This murder just might have doings at City Hall. If Coleridge Taylor can survive this investigation the paper just might put him back on as a journalist. If not he gets put on as a headline. I think Coleridge Taylor is a highly complex hugely interesting character and he is surrounded by a fairly interesting supporting cast as well. Mr. Zahradnik has written a story that will keep you going in circles as Taylor tries to sort through all the clues. “Last Words” is quite an engrossing book. Don’t start this book late at night as it will cost you sleep as you try to finish it before you go to bed. I am looking forward to more from Mr. Zahradnik and this wonderful series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
December 21, 2014
My Thoughts....
This is the first book I've read by this author, Rich Zahradnik.
"Last Words" captures New York City of the 1970s. No cell phones, computers, just old fashion leg work. In the story we meet corrupt politicians, bully cops, and the homeless, and not to forget the main character, Taylor, a reporter for a newspaper.
The pace of the story moves along nicely as we follow Taylor around New York City streets and alleys, as he follows clues and leads until the finale where everything comes together.
The story has a lot of twists and turns, which kept this reader on the edge of my seat waiting to see where the next turn leads. It was an exciting story right up until the end, and what an ending!
For everyone who likes mystery, this book is for you. Even though it was out of my "Comfort Reading Zone" I have to admit it kept me turning pages right to the end...
This book was provided for me by the author of this Blog Tour for an honest review. Thank you Rich for a few days of exciting reading...I enjoyed it so much that I decided to award it 4 stars, and those are my "Last Words."
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers and authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review.
March 4, 2015
Last Words is a mystery novel based in 1975. Newsman Cooleridge Taylor, is a reporter who has been demoted to writing obituaries. He is not happy about it. Taylor continues to look for his big story, that will redeem himself and get his job back.
Luck comes his way in the form of a dead body. On a hunch Taylor decides to research the John Doe in the morgue. Something doesn't add up. The trail leads Taylor into way more than just a John Doe. Taylor delves into the lives of the homeless, everything leads to a hobo named Voichek. As the story unfolds, Taylor finds corruption, blackmail, and the mob.
As Taylor tries to protect Voichek and research his story, they are put into grave danger.
Taylor must get the scoop on this story and fast, or there will be more bodies in the morgue and his own name in the obituaries.
This book keeps you involved until the end. I don't want to give too much away.
Luck comes his way in the form of a dead body. On a hunch Taylor decides to research the John Doe in the morgue. Something doesn't add up. The trail leads Taylor into way more than just a John Doe. Taylor delves into the lives of the homeless, everything leads to a hobo named Voichek. As the story unfolds, Taylor finds corruption, blackmail, and the mob.
As Taylor tries to protect Voichek and research his story, they are put into grave danger.
Taylor must get the scoop on this story and fast, or there will be more bodies in the morgue and his own name in the obituaries.
This book keeps you involved until the end. I don't want to give too much away.
January 20, 2015
I received an electronic copy of this book by the author for an honest review. I love reading in the mystery/thriller genre and this book hit all of the marks for me. The main character, Taylor, is a reporter who gets involved with solving a murder (no spoilers, so I will leave it at that). Set in New York in the mid 70's, the author does an excellent job in describing the criminal underbelly of the city as well as the homeless population of the times. I found myself rooting for both Taylor and some of the other key players in the novel. As far as mysteries go, the author did a great job of reeling out the plot a little at a time. This kept me guessing until the end, which is a sign of a great mystery. I highly recommend this book to those who like mysteries or those who just want a good, thrilling read.
January 18, 2015
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
A who dun it told from a reporter who has fallen from grace and is trying to earn his way out of the obits. He goes looking for a story and finds one - a dead boy in the morgue who is in clothes that aren't his, but is made to look homeless. Taylor knows instantly that this boy isn't homeless and there is a story around his death and he is determined to get the story.
I have read a few books now where the reporter becomes the investigator and so far I am a fan. The inquisitive nature of a reporter works as a different way to get an investigation done without using a detective. I loved the added fact of Taylor trying to win his way back onto the newspaper - it gave him drive!
A who dun it told from a reporter who has fallen from grace and is trying to earn his way out of the obits. He goes looking for a story and finds one - a dead boy in the morgue who is in clothes that aren't his, but is made to look homeless. Taylor knows instantly that this boy isn't homeless and there is a story around his death and he is determined to get the story.
I have read a few books now where the reporter becomes the investigator and so far I am a fan. The inquisitive nature of a reporter works as a different way to get an investigation done without using a detective. I loved the added fact of Taylor trying to win his way back onto the newspaper - it gave him drive!
August 11, 2015
A hero under the gun who has his own gun, a sexy love interest, awful bosses, crooked pols and worse gangsters all get tossed into the fast-paced plot of Last Words, which takes us inside the world of sleazy tabloids and the awfulness that was New York City in the 1970s. This is the start of the saga of Coleridge Taylor, a disgraced star crime reporter who is banished to the dead-end world of obits and struggles to use what little he has to solve a series of murders that just might revive his career. Lots of great period detail on what the world was like before cell phones, craft beer and the Internet. It took a real reporter to get things done back then, and hard-drinking Coleridge Taylor, with his soft spot for the underdog, is that man.
July 27, 2014
I loved this book. The author evoked the time period beautifully (NYC circa 1975), I liked the main characters (Taylor and Laura) and disliked the ones I was supposed to dislike (Worthless). Even the secondary characters like Mrs. Wiggins the librarian/archivist (I love a good librarian character!!) and Henry Jenson were finely drawn. The plot was suspenseful and kept me guessing until the end. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
December 25, 2015
I liked the book. I would have preferred to give 3.5 stars. The story moved long at a good clip but at times I thought it pushed a bit to far into the implausible. The Main character was likable and engaging but the supporting cast I found to be pretty much cardboard cutouts. They filled a predictable space necessary to the story but lacked substance. The competent writing saved the book. I appreciated the way the author used the language.
November 4, 2014
This was a first reads Good Reads giveaway. This was well written, exciting novel based in the 70's in NYC. A columnist for the paper is trying to redeem himself at a story gone wrong got him demoted. It is a race against time because he is about to be fired. Will he keep his job? Will he lose his life? Will he solve the mysteries surrounding him?
October 27, 2014
I received this as a Goodreads First Read giveaway!
I thoroughly enjoyed this title.
I thoroughly enjoyed this title.
July 25, 2015
Good page turner. Interesting perspective on NYC and that period.
October 11, 2014
SO GOOOD..... OH I HATED IT ENDED :(
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