If you’re looking for a good mystery novel, authors Paul Huwiler, a city resident and former WHHS teacher, and Loramel Shurtleff’s new book “Maelstrom” is a gripping tale of murder, theft, and organized crime in a small New England town.
Huwiler, who is also a former associate professor of communications at a Southern Connecticut State University, and Loramel Shurtleff, an attorney specializing in criminal and domestic law, have completed their book “Maelstrom,” a fast-paced drama of high-level crime in a sleepy New England town.
Ordinarily, the small Connecticut town of Stonefield offers few law enforcement challenges to Sheriff Ian Henderson. Now, however, when local lowlife Rudy Cox is found with two .22-caliber bullets in his head, Ian is convinced the killing is connected to the ancient Native American artifacts that Rudy recently “discovered” at a site he never talked about.
Soon after Rudy’s death, Soaring Eagle, a self-professed tribal representative, appears in town looking for Rudy. He claims his tribe is going to build a museum honoring all the Native American tribes of New England. Perhaps Rudy will help acquire more artifacts for the museum. Henderson is correctly suspicious, because Soaring Eagle is Michael Cassidy, a smooth-talking con man sent to Stonefield by mobster Frank D’Amato to find counterfeit bills stolen from D’Amato. When Cassidy learns that Rudy is dead, he sees that the artifact trail is cold and decides to work on his own. He cons two respected town citizens into creating a foundation and trust fund for the recognition of New England Native American tribes. Because of the status of the two citizens, money rolls in, and Cassidy sees it as his golden nest egg. Ian knows this is a scam, but no one listens to his warnings.
Ian’s problems worsen when Giovanni Morelli comes to town. Rumored to be connected to organized crime figures, Morelli denies it, but Ian wonders if the mob is planning to move into town. As the days pass with no arrests, Ian grows more frustrated and angry. When Carla Simone, a good-looking FBI agent, comes into his office she smiles and says she won’t interfere with him but warns he’d better not get in her way. By the time Henderson, State Police Sergeant George Pulio, and FBI Agent Carla Simone wrap up their intertwining cases, they will know they’ve been caught in a Maelstrom of crime.
Published by New York City-based Page Publishing, Paul Huwiler and Loramel Shurtleff’s engrossing drama is a perfect storm of criminal conspiracies and the law enforcement officers determined to stop them.
The book has received many online reviews that rave about the pace and action. Many readers were not expecting what they got and have made sure friends know about it.
Readers who wish to experience this gripping and potent work can purchase “Maelstrom” at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.