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Matson’s Case No. 1 – the first in a continuing crime/detective series.
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MATSON’S CASE NO. 1
New York City’s police chief, Robert Matson, reflects on his first murder case in which a madman terrorizes New York City with a series of gruesome murders of street women, which he displays publicly as religious tableaux representing the Stations of the Cross, in reverse order, in his warped search for redemption – a recurring theme in Pablo Zaragoza’s novels.
Matson draws on NYC’s historical figures in crime fighting to find incriminating evidence in a non-tech era of the 1950s. Matson uses his knowledge of psychology to profile the killer, and the search for him. Finally, in a dramatic set-up, Matson nabs the killer.
Matson and a beautiful blonde meet through a mutual friend, and the mixed-race couple falls in love and marries, despite the social stigma. Matson faces discrimination on a day-to-day basis, professionally and personally, but he uses his crime-solving acumen to move up through the ranks to become the first Black chief of police in the Big Apple.
5-Star Review
“Pablo Omar Zaragoza’s mystery novel, Matson’s Case No. 1, leads the reader through an horrific murder plot with both speed and efficiency. The plot develops steadily with leads and tangents pulling the reader into the case as it intensifies and unravels. The sub-plot provides another case, one which many non-white people have had to endure and circumnavigate well into the twenty-first century. Matson has special skills and intelligence that helps him unravel the mystery, but his skills and talent and intelligence are frequently downplayed by those who only see him as a black man. He rises above derogatory sneers and proves his worth through hard work and education. A good murder mystery but also a good social issues story.”
A NOD TO SUSAN
Throughout most of her career in public relations, medical writing, writing, ghostwriting, and editing that spans more than fifty years, Susan has remained in the background helping others realize the recognition they deserve. Here, we shine the spotlight on her, not only for her work as Pablo’s first-line editor but to acknowledge her as an award-winning author in her own right. Que bueno, Susanita!
THE KOKOMO RAILROAD
Who can be more thankful than an innocent person who becomes free after being incarcerated for more almost thirty years? Susan’s true story about her three-year fight for Charles Lockert’s freedom details her struggle against a parole board, state legislators, a governor, county officials, and prejudiced members of the victims’ family. Unlike many who help the innocent incarcerated win their freedom based on DNA evidence, Susan had only her dogged determination, along with the support of Charles and his attorney. Her attribution of co-authorship to Charles stems from her realization that without him, she would not have this story.
“This is an outstanding book, a brave and honest expose of the times that, to my mind, can have an impact similar to the game-changing Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”
5-Star Review – Readers’ Favorite
The Kokomo Railroad is one of the most penetrating stories of investigative journalism that I have ever read! It exposes the deep-rooted malaise of corruption, racism, bigotry and ‘sheer cussedness’ that afflicts the very agencies in the USA that were created for bringing about positive change and reform in the country. An intricate tangle of stray threads reveals shameless corruption, vindictiveness, and criminal malice. The tension is so taut that I sat up half the night to read the book to its heart-wrenching finale. Chapter headings are rather unique and worth saving for their own sake. – Romauldo Dzemo
IDEAS: WHERE DOES PABLO GET THEM?
Preston, a second grader in California and already an aspiring writer, recently wondered where Pablo gets his ideas for the books he writes. The short answer is reading. Since Pablo was four years old before he and his family emigrated from Cuba, he has been a reader.
Reading stokes Pablo’s imagination and inspires him to write. Studies have shown that reading fiction, in particular, boosts brain function. Each day, we see or pass by something interesting. Most people continue on their way after a brief glance.
A writer may tarry longer, noting details of such observations and incorporate them in a story or serve to spark a whole new novel.
Preston – and others no matter their age – if you want to be a writer, develop an enormous appetite for reading and observation. One day, you might follow Pablo’s example.
A WILDLIFE THANKSGIVING
If you have men who will exclude
any of God’s creatures from the shelter of
compassion and pity, you will have men
who will deal likewise with his fellow men.
St. Francis of Assisi
Animal Court is forever FREE.
The story relates the threats of endangerment and extinction of animals large and small through their testimonies in the trial of a human. Wildlife surely would offer thanks to people who work tirelessly for the cessation of sports shooting, habitat destruction, water pollution, trophy hunting, and trapping, and for the protection and preservation of the world’s wildlife.
Animal Court is dedicated in memory of:
259,200,200 animals slaughtered daily on Planet Earth and
70 billion land animals that humans kill each year but not for food.
Of all creatures ever made, [man] is the
most detestable. Of the entire brood,
he is the only one…that possesses malice.
He is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport,
knowing it to be pain.
Mark Twain
