Stephanie Pintoff

Few new authors published catch my attention as Stephanie Pintoff has done. Ms. Pintoff burst onto the publishing scene winning the Edgar Award earlier this year for her novel, In The Shadow of Gotham. This breakout book was nominated for just about every award the mystery world gives, including the Macavity, Agatha, Anthony, and Reviewers Choice Awards. After reading her second novel, A Curtain Falls, I was compelled to write about her work.

The setting of her novels is New York City in 1906. Her research brings this period in the city to life. Never having lived in NYC, as I read, I became aware of how little I knew about it. Ms. Pintoff cites addresses where her protagonist, Detective Simon Ziele, investigates, which makes me envious of those readers possessing intimate knowledge of the city. Add to this setting historical detail of the city’s physical layout, neighborhoods and buildings, such as the newly created Times building in the area now known as Times Square. She cites what occupied that space prior to the Times creation and the area’s old name. Her story is sequestered among historic events, anchoring the stories in reality and reminding me of movies I’ve seen that begin with the image of an old still life photo, which comes to life with movement taking the watcher inside that moment.

Detective Ziele’s first person POV narrates the story. His history is interesting and sad, and it is within this context that the story is cast. His voice, his conscience and logic, draws in the reader. He is a moral man in a time when morals are often discarded in favor and zeal of scientific discovery. Ziele balances moral philosophy against science as he tracks down serial killers. Criminology and forensic science are in their infancy, as are psychology and criminal profiling. Ziele utilizes professors at NYU who are developing these sciences and arts. He collaborates with a wealthy lawyer, whose interest is understanding the criminal mind, and his widowed daughter-in-law, who is atypical of the day’s women. She assists her father-in-law in his pursuits and may be a potential romantic interest of Ziele’s. Fingerprints are just barely accepted in the courts, but criminals are already more knowledgeable than the police about manipulation of this evidence.

It is Ziele’s morals that make him a superior detective. When others settle for a convenient scapegoat, he tracks down the truth, keeping on the real murderer’s trail when others settle for a mediocrity that may close the case and satisfy political needs, but destroys the innocent and allows evil to win.

In The Shadow of Gotham won awards for its unique voice, historical research and intricate plot. A Curtain Falls includes all of those things, but its pacing is improved. Ms. Pintoff hones her already considerable expertise in this second novel, and if she can improve her craft after writing an award winning book, I’m looking forward to the series as I watch a master go where few authors have ability to go.