It's July, 1975 and an overworked Chicago police force receives a call that an 85-year-old white man has been attacked by a gang of black youths on the lakefront in Burnham Park. Amid public outrage, contentious Mayor Richard J. Daley commands his police to find the killers fast and make the bucolic park safe again.Uncommonly but fortunately for the police, twelve-year-old James Overstreet steps forward and identifies five of the six assailants and arrests are made. But detectives and county attorneys bungle the case, leaving the judge no choice but to release the accused.This startling turn of events jeopardizes James's life, forcing the entire Overstreet family into witness protection in Arizona, and creates a nightmare that will haunt the brave witness forever.Fast-forward thirty years. The stoic young man has grown to become Maricopa County's most feared prosecutor. But his life is about to be turned upside down when paths from the past cross into the present, veering toward a shocking climax.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Pascal Marco, a Chicago native and long time resident, uses his intimacy with that city and his present residence to weave a tale of terror and murder with as many twists and turns as the city streets themselves. A successful entrepreneur and businessman, he's a graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago and a member of the Scottsdale Writers Group.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
64 of 70 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A young boy witnesses a brutal attack on an elderly man. Despite his fears of gang retaliation, he goes to the police and identifies the killers. When they are set free due to a technicality, he and his family are spirited into the witness protection program and moved across the country. Thirty years later, Stan Kobe is a highly respected prosecutor in Phoenix AZ, with a loving wife and two children. When two criminals are arrested for smuggling guns and drugs across the Arizona / Mexico border the obvious choice to lead the prosecution is the county's most feared and toughest prosecutor - Stan Kobe. His unenthusiastic response surprises everyone, except the gang bangers who recognize the now-grown "little snitch" from their Chicago days.
What I liked best about the book were the scenes with the 12-year-old African American James Overstreet and his 85-year-old white friend Manny Fleischman. Marco crafted a believable, if unusual friendship that joined two baseball fans, and spanned not just a generation gap, but a racial divide in 1975 Chicago. James is cautious but curious, respectful but sassy, frightened yet courageous. Marco paints a picture of a part of Chicago where gangs terrorize residents and recruit ever younger members, and yet where a strong nuclear family could help their children resist the pull of gang membership. It's a story of personal responsibility, of doing what is right even when it puts you in danger, of telling the truth.
Where Marco stumbled, however, was in writing the adult Stan Kobe's scenes. He spends far too much time exploring Kobe's angst over his big dark secret - a secret "so deeply buried," yet it can be ferreted out by his best friend in an hour or two of research. The plot he hatches to right the wrong is convoluted and sketchy at best; he seems to be operating strictly on adrenaline and a desire for revenge, rather than being the methodical, tough prosecutor we're told he is. The ending stretches credulity - everyone but the Pope is apparently involved. And I was really disappointed that some of the conspirators will, apparently, survive with little or no repercussions. Still, Marco crafts a pretty good thriller. The action is fast-paced and held my interest throughout.
What I liked best about the book were the scenes with the 12-year-old African American James Overstreet and his 85-year-old white friend Manny Fleischman. Marco crafted a believable, if unusual friendship that joined two baseball fans, and spanned not just a generation gap, but a racial divide in 1975 Chicago. James is cautious but curious, respectful but sassy, frightened yet courageous. Marco paints a picture of a part of Chicago where gangs terrorize residents and recruit ever younger members, and yet where a strong nuclear family could help their children resist the pull of gang membership. It's a story of personal responsibility, of doing what is right even when it puts you in danger, of telling the truth.
Where Marco stumbled, however, was in writing the adult Stan Kobe's scenes. He spends far too much time exploring Kobe's angst over his big dark secret - a secret "so deeply buried," yet it can be ferreted out by his best friend in an hour or two of research. The plot he hatches to right the wrong is convoluted and sketchy at best; he seems to be operating strictly on adrenaline and a desire for revenge, rather than being the methodical, tough prosecutor we're told he is. The ending stretches credulity - everyone but the Pope is apparently involved. And I was really disappointed that some of the conspirators will, apparently, survive with little or no repercussions. Still, Marco crafts a pretty good thriller. The action is fast-paced and held my interest throughout.
42 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By grace
Format:Hardcover
I don't like giving a negative review - I couldn't write a short story let alone a novel - but 2 stars is all I can give to this novel.
The plot is good, very good. The author is presenting the psychological effects of the witness protection program in a way I have never run across before. Unfortunately the author's fails to portray the thoughts and feelings of the protagonist in a believable manner.
The hero acts in a herky jerky manner which might be because of the situation he's in but it comes across as the author's writing voice rather than a true portrait of a man under incredible pressure. The author particularly fails at dialog, it just doesn't sound natural.
I've lived in Chicago for 50 years including a stint as a bartender in a 'cop bar' and the overt racism of many of the police in the novel is more appropriate to the 50's and 60's than 1975. I'm not saying isn't wasn't there, it certainly was, but racism had already gone underground by the mid 70's. The portrayal of Mayor Richard J. Daley is just over written. I was raised listening to 'Da Mayor' speak and all the mannerisms are correct but less is more. Another Chicago quibble; no one refers to the CTA as the Chicago 'commuter' system, 'commuter' is reserved for the heavy rail trains coming in from the suburbs. Nor does anyone call 'The Kennedy' by JFK's full name. These are truly small things but I think it is indicative of the authors mistrust of the reader. In the best science fiction, for that matter the best fiction an author writes a world and lets the reader work his own way in. My feeling about this book is that the author doesn't trust his skills or the readers abilities to write more sublty, which would have been so much more powerful.
The plot is great, the writing just doesn't stand up to it. Some scenes are written beautifully, the talent is there, I just wish the writer would get out of his own way.
The plot is good, very good. The author is presenting the psychological effects of the witness protection program in a way I have never run across before. Unfortunately the author's fails to portray the thoughts and feelings of the protagonist in a believable manner.
The hero acts in a herky jerky manner which might be because of the situation he's in but it comes across as the author's writing voice rather than a true portrait of a man under incredible pressure. The author particularly fails at dialog, it just doesn't sound natural.
I've lived in Chicago for 50 years including a stint as a bartender in a 'cop bar' and the overt racism of many of the police in the novel is more appropriate to the 50's and 60's than 1975. I'm not saying isn't wasn't there, it certainly was, but racism had already gone underground by the mid 70's. The portrayal of Mayor Richard J. Daley is just over written. I was raised listening to 'Da Mayor' speak and all the mannerisms are correct but less is more. Another Chicago quibble; no one refers to the CTA as the Chicago 'commuter' system, 'commuter' is reserved for the heavy rail trains coming in from the suburbs. Nor does anyone call 'The Kennedy' by JFK's full name. These are truly small things but I think it is indicative of the authors mistrust of the reader. In the best science fiction, for that matter the best fiction an author writes a world and lets the reader work his own way in. My feeling about this book is that the author doesn't trust his skills or the readers abilities to write more sublty, which would have been so much more powerful.
The plot is great, the writing just doesn't stand up to it. Some scenes are written beautifully, the talent is there, I just wish the writer would get out of his own way.
30 of 33 people found the following review helpful
By Erin Evans
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Where to start? This book was awful. I finished it just to see how horrible it really was. Sort of like watching a gruesome car accident. The plot was disjointed and HIGHLY improbable. I found it impossible to believe that a 12 year old boy would harbor such deep feelings about an event for THIRTY YEARS. The dialogue was laughably stiff. Every chapter I would find at least one sentence to read aloud to my husband to make him laugh. The author couldn't decide if it was a lawyer story, a murder story, or a thriller so it wound up being none of them. At the end it seemed like he just got bored with the story and decided to have all the bad guys kill each other to make everything right. Granted, all I know about Witness Protection I learned from watching "In Plain Sight," but there is NO WAY Mary would let one of her witnesses live the way this guy did. He's in Witness Protection but they let him become a famous prosecutor with his picture in the papers and his face on TV?
Then, there was the racism in the book. According to the author, Chicago is full of corrupt, white cops who are disgustingly racist towards black people. The "N" word is used 44 times in the book (Thank you Kindle search). The little boy's eye-witness account is thrown out because, for some reason - never explained in the book - the cops totally screw up the investigation. The only explanation given is that the kid was black and they didn't trust him.
Also, the language in the book was rough. This might not bother some people but I thought it worth mentioning. The "F" word alone is used 55 times.
I can't believe that this book was actually published. I'm glad I only wasted $.99 on it, but it makes me hesitant to trust Amazon's recommendations and reader reviews. This book comes very high rated, but it's going to go up there on my list of Worst Books I've Ever Read.
Then, there was the racism in the book. According to the author, Chicago is full of corrupt, white cops who are disgustingly racist towards black people. The "N" word is used 44 times in the book (Thank you Kindle search). The little boy's eye-witness account is thrown out because, for some reason - never explained in the book - the cops totally screw up the investigation. The only explanation given is that the kid was black and they didn't trust him.
Also, the language in the book was rough. This might not bother some people but I thought it worth mentioning. The "F" word alone is used 55 times.
I can't believe that this book was actually published. I'm glad I only wasted $.99 on it, but it makes me hesitant to trust Amazon's recommendations and reader reviews. This book comes very high rated, but it's going to go up there on my list of Worst Books I've Ever Read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great buy
This book was only .99 and I loved it. I love mystery/thrillers and this one had me from the beginning. Surprised me! I will be looking for more from the author.
Published 8 days ago by SANDRA MARTINEZ
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pascal Marco's IDENTITY : LOST
I loved this book. The characters are very rich. The baseball theme is very original and interesting. Read more
Published 1 month ago by JackieS
2.0 out of 5 stars
Identity...meh...
Interesting historical info scattered throughout the story makes for two stars, but the plot, characters and storyline are predictable and just so-so. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Chip B
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good quick read
I thought this book was well written and enjoyable. It tried to be a few too many things in the end and got muddled but overall a good first venture.
Published 1 month ago by KY Shoe Gal
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good read
Interesting plot. Well researched. The author creates an excellent sense of place. I could feel the environment, and the characters came alive. Read more
Published 1 month ago by pepperman38
1.0 out of 5 stars
Trite Arizona Crime Fighter
The fact the protagonist is an African American does not stop him from playing the poster child for death penalty, no compassion law enforcement - kill 'em if possible otherwise... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Carol Houseman
5.0 out of 5 stars
I reallyliked this book
I am in the process of catching up with reviews. This is a book I clearly remember and greatly enjoyed I would recommend it without hesitation.
Published 1 month ago by TT
4.0 out of 5 stars
IDENITITY LOST
GREAT STORY, ENGROSSING CHARACTERS. WHEN TORN BETWEEN ARIZONA AND CHICAGO A WITNESS TO A MURDER ATTEMPTS TO RIGHT A WRONG.
Published 2 months ago by S. Cole
5.0 out of 5 stars
Identity Lost (and found)
This book was written so well and so exciting it was hard to put down. The characters are well developed and easy to relate to. And, the story line was refreshingly different.
Published 2 months ago by Dee A. Ogden
5.0 out of 5 stars
Identity: Lost
This book was quite well written. Fast pace, with well developed characters. The body of the story is spread over a multiple years span, but ties it in very nicely. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Elaine Woodcox
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More About the Author
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pascal Marco, author of IDENTITY: LOST
Pascal Marco was born and raised on the far Southeast side of Chicago, the grandson of Italian immigrants. Listening to his father's advice, he stayed close to home and graduated with honors from the University of Illinois - Chicago with both B.A. and M.A. degrees in Communications and Theatre. He's thankful and blessed he grew up in the Windy City, a place which helped inspire him to create the rich and unforgettable characters in his novel, IDENTITY: LOST.
Ever so gently coerced by his wife in 1994, Pascal moved to a brave new world in Arizona. There, Pascal immediately became immersed in a strange land called the Sonoran Desert by volunteering at Frank Lloyd Wright's studio, Taliesen West. Here he gave tours of the world renowned architectural school's complex and its surrounding desert. The rejuvenating solace and stark beauty of the virgin desert helped revive his passion for writing. He joined the Scottsdale Writers Group, which proved pivotal in helping him develop and complete his novel.
Maintaining his life-long passion for baseball's most under-appreciated team, The Chicago White Sox, lead him to a position writing op-ed pieces for the #1 fan Web site of the South Side team. This came after his team won the 2005 ALCS Championship and World Series after an 88-year drought. His regular feature for the Web site, entitled appropriately "Arizona Heat," chronicled adventures of fans as they attended the White Sox Spring Training season.
Pascal has been a well-respected and successful entrepreneur in both the Chicago and Phoenix business communities. He also owned a prosperous communications company and continues doing print and media work today. All the time, he has stayed connected to his Chicago roots and still keeps in regular touch with friends, family, and classmates, some of the latter dating back to kindergarten.
A member of The International Thriller Writers, IDENTITY: LOST is his first novel. A second novel is now in the works, as the author picks up the story five years later, tackling headline topics facing his home state of Arizona today.
Pascal currently lives with his wife, Karen, a holistic nutritionist and coach, in Scottsdale as well as maintaining a home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. They have four children and four grandchildren.
Pascal Marco, author of IDENTITY: LOST
Pascal Marco was born and raised on the far Southeast side of Chicago, the grandson of Italian immigrants. Listening to his father's advice, he stayed close to home and graduated with honors from the University of Illinois - Chicago with both B.A. and M.A. degrees in Communications and Theatre. He's thankful and blessed he grew up in the Windy City, a place which helped inspire him to create the rich and unforgettable characters in his novel, IDENTITY: LOST.
Ever so gently coerced by his wife in 1994, Pascal moved to a brave new world in Arizona. There, Pascal immediately became immersed in a strange land called the Sonoran Desert by volunteering at Frank Lloyd Wright's studio, Taliesen West. Here he gave tours of the world renowned architectural school's complex and its surrounding desert. The rejuvenating solace and stark beauty of the virgin desert helped revive his passion for writing. He joined the Scottsdale Writers Group, which proved pivotal in helping him develop and complete his novel.
Maintaining his life-long passion for baseball's most under-appreciated team, The Chicago White Sox, lead him to a position writing op-ed pieces for the #1 fan Web site of the South Side team. This came after his team won the 2005 ALCS Championship and World Series after an 88-year drought. His regular feature for the Web site, entitled appropriately "Arizona Heat," chronicled adventures of fans as they attended the White Sox Spring Training season.
Pascal has been a well-respected and successful entrepreneur in both the Chicago and Phoenix business communities. He also owned a prosperous communications company and continues doing print and media work today. All the time, he has stayed connected to his Chicago roots and still keeps in regular touch with friends, family, and classmates, some of the latter dating back to kindergarten.
A member of The International Thriller Writers, IDENTITY: LOST is his first novel. A second novel is now in the works, as the author picks up the story five years later, tackling headline topics facing his home state of Arizona today.
Pascal currently lives with his wife, Karen, a holistic nutritionist and coach, in Scottsdale as well as maintaining a home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. They have four children and four grandchildren.
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