Review: Sy Goldman And The Case Of The Beantown Butcher by Timothy Brennan

Sy Goldman was an ordinary man that led an ordinary life until his retirement from making suits. He is thrust into the exciting world of mystery when his roommate Murray "commits suicide". 

I have to admit the description of the book led me to want to review it. I had never read a mystery novel from the perspective of an old man before. I loved that it was written out to be a story for his great grandson to read in the future. It's not easy to draw a reader into a first person narrative, but using the great grandson made it work perfectly. 

In the beginning of the story we get background on Sy and his family. Where they were and how they ended up where they went. Basically how they came to live in California after living in Brooklyn for their whole lives. I admit I looked at the map that Sy made a point of adding to his story. The reader comes to love Sy pretty quickly into the story and you can't help but root for him all the way through. The unexpected hero.

Sy's real adventure begins when his roommate and friend Murray "commits suicide". Sy and his other roommate Alex are sure Murray would never take his own life. They ponder all of this as they get high on their legal marijuana and sit on their balcony watching the world around them. When police refuse to investigate they take matters into their own hands. It doesn't take long for them to stumble onto the proof they need to get the investigation opened back up. I was kept on the edge of my seat until the very end. 

The characters are well written and have a lot of substance. The details the author adds makes a reader able to not only visualize the characters, but pulls them in as if each one is a friend or neighbor. I could actually see Sy as someone I'd run into at the corner store. 

I have to say I was actually very surprised how much I did enjoy this book. It played on all my emotions the way a good book should and left me wanting more. Well written and captivating I would recommend this book to just about anyone who enjoys a good mystery novel.  

I received this book free in return for a review. My opinions are my own.