murder in the valley
Retired police detective Dan McNulty is back with a new mystery to solve; the almost-fifty-year-old murder of a family of migrant farm workers. Their disappearance in 1964 was virtually ignored by the local police, as was the discovery of their bodies years later. But local doctor Richard Daniels, who was fascinated by police work, kept a file over the years documenting the case. After he dies, his son, Dr. Cole Daniels, gives the file to McNulty. Fascinated by the case, McNulty delves into the mystery.
REVIEWS
Jul 22, 2014Claudia rated it 5 of 5 starsShelves: first-reads
"The disappearance and later discovery of a family of farmers bodies has been ignored by police and left as a cold case. The case incites the curiosity of McNulty, a private detective, who uses a folder of gained evidence given him from a friends nephew to uncover the deeper mystery into the murder.
The blurb caught my attention straight away, just like McNulty I was eager to uncover the truth and discover what really happened to the poor family. The book had an engaging plot and well developed characters. I liked how the story unfolded through the present investigation as well as looking into the past investigation allowing the reader to view how the characters had grown through time."
Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars
"I won Murder In The Valley: A Dan McNulty Mystery by Rick Marchetti from Goodreads.
A former policeman, Dan McNulty gets pulled into a cold case by his nephew, Dr. Cole Daniels. Cole has found files among his recently deceased father's papers concerning a rash of murders from decades prior.
The writer takes the reader back and forth in time. The present-day investigators look into the old crime, interviewing those still alive. In the scenes set back in time, the investigation and the crime itself are played out from the points of view of the characters involved. It is interesting, for the reader, to see how the characters aged and changed over time.
The main characters are likable and the plot moves along smoothly, although there are too many minor characters named Richard and there is a romance that develops and progresses too quickly, but both of these issues are minor within the story.
The story takes place in a small town, with all the small-town connections, where everybody knows everyone's business and there is no place to hide. The author uses the small town setting to introduce some very interesting plot twists and surprises.
Murder In The Valley is a very good mystery."
Jacquelyn rated it 5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for: Anyone who enjoys mysteries
"What secrets can prompt the murders of a seemingly harmless migrant worker and his family and create a cover-up lasting almost 50 years?
Retired detective Dan McNulty, now working privately, becomes involved when his nephew, Dr. Cole Daniels, discovers a folder of notes and clippings in his recently deceased father's office pertaining to what was deemed by local police a disappearance of inconsequential farm workers.
A well-crafted mystery, full of colorful characters and plot twists, keeps the reader turning pages to discover why seemingly unconnected homicides continue long after the original event.
A cold trail and few clues present challenges, but McNulty doggedly continues his search for resolution to the crimes.
Will Rich Marchetti again feature Dan McNulty in his private investigator role? I look forward to it! Thanks for a satisfying read!"