Book Review: A Time Gone By

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

A Time Gone By     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
William Heffernan
Class/Genre:   Mystery

New York City in 1945 - Jake Downing is back on duty with the police force, a newly promoted detective, and learning the ropes from his partner Jimmy Finn. Jake was badly injured in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and spent the war years recuperating from a shattered leg. He sees himself as "damaged goods" and is desperately eager to make a good showing in his new responsibilties.

A prominent judge and powerful member of the NY Democratic party is dead, bludgeoned in his own home. The crime scene has been trampled over by the dead man's wife and acquaintances before the detectives arrive, and the collection of evidence does not disclose any conclusive proof of anyone's guilt. Eventually a NY lowlife is fingered for the murder, a key witness testifies against him, and he is executed.

Fast forward to 1975. Downing is now chief of detectives, and the circumstances of this old case still weigh on his mind. Changes in his personal circumstances give him the freedom to investigate, using the newer techniques of evidence analysis.

>From here the author moves back and forth in time, using changes from first person to third person and back again to help the reader stay on track. Oh so gradually we learn the truth of the long ago events, and begin to understand the motivation of the key witness who testified to send the convicted man to the electric chair.

Heffernan does not serve up a neat, clean story, with every guilty person punished, every innocent person free. But he does provide an excellent read, and food for thought on nearly every page.

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM