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Took On A Life Of Its Own
Murder at Manzanar follows a private eye with a knack for finding things others cannot who ends up uncovering more than he anticipated. What was your inspiration for the mystery that must be unraveled?
2022 was the 80-year anniversary of the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II. I had been reading quite a bit about it and wondered how I could weave it into a story. As part of my research, I came across how many Japanese families had to just walk away from their homes and businesses never to see them again because of unscrupulous people, who conned them out of everything they owned. They were only allowed to take what they could carry when they were dispersed to various camps around the country. It wasn’t until 1990 that the US government paid out reparations to those who survived the internment camps. I thought about how interesting it would be to see how one Japanese family was conned out of their business and how the wrong came full circle to the detriment of the person who stole it.
How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing, or did it develop organically?
It developed gradually and I had some input from one of my Tai Chi students who happens to be a Buddhist priest she told me about a story that she thought would be interesting for a book and I asked her if I could use part of it and she gave me the permission to do so. From there the story took on a life of its own and I just put down on paper.
Was there a reason why you chose this location as the backdrop for your story?
The backdrop for my story is pretty much the same as all of the Polish Dragon P. I. stories. They, mostly take place in Northeast Ohio where I was born and raised. On occasion, Tom or Suzie may travel away from Ohio but always return to their home state. I like to share little tidbits about where I grew up. People don’t realize what a great place Northeastern Ohio is to live in. Things have changed over the years and Cleveland is a top vacation destination. It even has quite the food scene for all of you foodies out there. Right now Cleveland has three chefs who were named semi-finalists for the James Beard award. Time magazine calls the James Beard award the Oscars of the food world.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers next time?
The story has continued with two more novellas following Murder at Manzanar. They are The Dragon is Missing and Finding Ami. In these two books, Suzie gets more of the spotlight, especially as the first title states Tom ends up going missing and Suzie must find him. In Finding Ami, she has to do a lot of the work because, well let’s just say Tom was out of the picture. I hope everyone enjoys reading them as much as I like writing them.
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Murder at Manzanar
Murder at Manzanar is an incredibly detailed and exciting story written by Steve Zimcosky. The gripping story follows a retired police officer who is also a talented private detective. Tom Sipowicz is contacted after a Buddhist statue is broken, revealing an old envelope addressed to Hideki Sakura, who no one knows who this is. Tom is employed to trace the owner of this mysterious envelope. Along the way, Tom interacts with several elders, who openly discuss their personal experiences of Japanese Internment camps. The eye-opening stories bring the reader’s attention to the atrocities many individuals faced during World war 2 at the hands of the US. This is an essential piece of history cleverly placed within this comprehensive book. The author describes in detail the process of finding the missing Hideki Sakura, speaking to many people with whom the protagonist may never have interacted otherwise.
I think this book is a fabulous read. It keeps the reader focused, and the author has an eye for details. I believe each character, from Tom to the elders he talks to throughout, is described in a way the reader can picture, which creates a good image of the story in the reader’s head.
Zimcosky creates a heartfelt story that discusses history in a remarkably well-written subtle way, which the reader can take away with them once the book is complete. The book’s pace is perfect for teen readers, keeping them engaged in the plotline. The addition of historical information is an added bonus that educators will appreciate. I think the writing style sets an excellent image for the reader and keeps them intrigued, allowing for an easy, relaxing read.
Murder at Manzanar is a captivating cozy mystery that draws on history and exceptional character development to keep readers interested. This short and fast-paced novel is perfect for picking up and reading on a lazy afternoon or when you need a clean intriguing mystery to solve.
Pages: 160 | ASIN : B0B3S7ZFHQ
Bringing Dark History Into the Light
Hanging Cloud follows a PI that tries to find a missing man and ends up uncovering a multigenerational conspiracy that leads to threats on his own life. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
In the past I had read about the government’s attempt at assimilating Native Americans into a lot of the urban areas in the United States. When I did the research I found out what their real intent was and felt that it needed to be shared, so I created a way to use it as part of the plot in the story. Many people have no idea that this even took place back in the 1950s. As it states in the book the whole intent was to get the Native Americans off their reservations so they could sell the land and also the hope of having them intermarry so they could just eliminate all Native Americans. It’s a part of our history that is kind of kept in the dark.
Tom Sipowicz is a great detective that captures the interest of readers. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I wanted someone who had grown up with adversity in school but had a wonderful family life. He found his calling by being a Military Policeman and later a Cleveland Police Officer and then a detective. His martial arts training keeps him in shape and the character building that comes along with that training is invaluable to him both as a police detective and a private investigator. He’s the type of person that would give you the shirt off his back but not someone you would want to cross.
How did you decide on using the Native American Community as a focus for your novel?
A while back I had read an article about a man who grew up in a very loving family, had a great education and career. He later found out that he was adopted and that he was a Native American. For some reason, the article had popped into my head when I was looking to start another book and I thought that would be a great plot for a story.
What kind of research did you have to do to make sure you were accurately portraying the Native American culture?
My research involved checking out various websites and double-checking everything that I found to make sure it was as accurate as possible. A few years back I had met some Native Americans through another person and learned quite a bit from them as well. That helped me in writing the book and trying to keep it as close to reality as possible. The Native American Community has a lot to offer if people would just listen to them when they speak about their lives and what goes on in their communities. Their way of looking at the world makes sense.
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Hanging Cloud (Polish Dragon P. I.)
When a sports celebrity hires Tom Sipowicz, of Polish Dragon P.I., to find his missing father, the protagonist of author Steve Zimcosky’s Hanging Cloud commences an investigation that will see him working to uncover a wide-ranging conspiracy against the Native American population of Cleveland. As the American government, the Catholic church, and a local medical practice are all revealed to be colluding together, Sipowicz finds himself embroiled in a cruel scheme that stretches back to the mid-nineteen hundreds and ripples through generations to the modern-day. Facing threats from old friends, Sipowicz learns about American history, and about his own family.
Hanging Cloud by Steve Zimcosky can be described as short, sweet, and simple. This mystery novel is written for middle-grade readers and up. From very early on in the story, the reader can quickly work out what has happened, the greater question that Tom Sipowicz must solve is how it has happened. In this respect, Zimcosky does an excellent job providing the necessary information required to solve the intriguing mystery, while withholding the vital links to put the pieces of the puzzle together into a whole that can be understood. Just like Tom Sipowicz, the reader quickly becomes aware that someone is lying, and they join Sipowicz on his investigation to discover exactly what, or who is amiss.
The mystery is straightforward and the author does not make it too challenging to follow the clues, which makes this crime fiction story perfect for young adults that are just getting into the mystery genre. The pacing is done well and keeps the storyline moving without too much extra information, allowing the reader to focus on facts and not get overwhelmed.
Hanging Cloud is a creative mystery novel that combines elements of historical fiction and Native American culture into the plot. This well-written novel writes about the Native American community with respect for their culture and beliefs, using facts to enhance the story. Middle-grade and young adult fans will enjoy this light-hearted mystery that takes readers on a stimulating journey to reveal the truth.
Pages: 202 | ASIN : B09MC5CH2P
If The Secret Is Ever Discovered
The Good Book follows the Polish Dragon on a hunt for a missing bible that holds a devastating secret for the Russian Orthodox Church. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
There have been many books and news stories about the Roman Catholic Church and all of its mysteries and accusations of wrongdoing but I had never really seen anything about the Eastern or Russian Orthodox Church. Perhaps the reason is because there is a much smaller following than the Roman Catholic Church. So I thought, why not do a mystery which includes them and a mysterious bible that could bring embarrassment to the church if the secret is ever discovered. I tried to include the similarities and the difference of both churches so the reader could get an idea of how similar they are yet very different.
Do you follow a formula for your mystery novels or do you try to make them all different?
I try to follow the plan that something happens that the police or law enforcement can’t really deal with or the statute of limitations has run out and the only recourse is to hire the Polish Dragon P. I. to help solve the case. Although on occasion it is necessary for law enforcement to be involved and the Polish Dragon must learn to sidestep those investigations so as not to interfere and at the same time use some former contacts to aid his investigation. And as I am sure that my books are read by many age groups I try to limit the profanity and the sexual overtones.
What are is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer and how have you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I face is how to make my stories longer and get them to a full novel. I have taken several courses and spoken with several well-known authors on how I can do that. Hopefully my books will begin to get longer and I can finally get to the point of publishing a full novel rather than novellas. The other challenge is marketing, as I am a self-published author, all of that falls on my shoulders. So I am taking classes and workshops on how to maneuver that aspect of publishing my books.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m working on another Polish Dragon mystery that deals with the Native American so called Voluntary Relocation Program by the Bureau of Indian Affair back in the 1950s. It will involve a missing person and conspiracy to defraud the government and Native Americans.
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Polish Dragon P. I. (The Good Book)
Polish Dragon P.I.: The Good Book follows Suzie and Tom, a pair of investigators who are attempting to track down a Bible that was stolen from Andy, Suzie’s friend. What starts as a typical crime/mystery story quickly turns fantastic and thrilling when the investigators discover that Andy’s father was killed by someone looking for the book. A mysterious caller who is seemingly following Tom’s every step also adds to the intrigue. Can the investigators find this book and protect the rest of Andy’s family before it’s too late, or will the power players involved get their way? Most importantly, what is this book holding that has the attention of so many?
This book is a quick but no less thrilling read. It is smooth from cover to cover, which speaks to the quality of writing. This is a straightforward cozy mystery, but the entertainment value and revelation of information will keep readers engaged throughout the story. While the mystery at the heart of the story is uncomplicated, the story is well-structured, so you will be able to turn pages easily.
Where the story really excels is the escalation of the stakes. I don’t want to ruin anything, but there is much more than a simple bible at the crux of the plot, and the way that the author reveals the rising tension is masterful. As those pages turn, you will feel the rising tension in your chest, hoping that the characters are successful by the end.
This is a fantastic installment that fans of author Steve Zimcosky will surely enjoy. Polish Dragon P.I.: The Good Book is quick and fun entertainment that is easily consumed. I really enjoyed the strong, straightforward writing style.
Pages: 221 | ASIN: B09DN3QPG5
The One Going Undercover
Midnight Cranes sets the Polish Dragon on a new murder investigation in a manufacturing plant that leads to the Dragon Trail. What inspired the setup to this mystery story?
Years ago as a martial arts student and as an employee in the material handling industry I had thought about how interesting it would be to have someone like Chuck Norris be the hero and discover, as an undercover cop, a drug ring going on inside of the plant. I had outlined the story and sent it to one of his students, who also was making movies, to see what he thought of the idea. He liked the idea but said he was too busy and didn’t really have the time. Fast forward many years and now that I am an author I thought why not make it into a book instead. The only change was having the Polish Dragon P. I. be the one going undercover.
I enjoyed how well the story is developed in so few pages. Is it your intention to make your stories short, or is that just your writing style?
It is a little bit of both. My intention is to write the story in a novella so that it makes for a quick and easy read. Some of my fans have said how much they enjoy the shorter read as sometimes a full novel can be too long and filled with unnecessary information. So if you’re riding a train say from New Jersey into New York City you could finish half the book on your ride in and the other half on your ride home. I have noticed though, that each new book I write seems to get a little bit longer each time.
What were some new challenges you wanted Tom to face in this book that were different from the previous books?
I wanted Tom to face the challenge of going undercover and having to maintain the cover as long as he could. Another one was to have him finding help from one of his colleagues and not just for digging up information but actually working on the case with him. That is where Suzie Mandrake comes in, a detective on the Cleveland police force who aspires to be a private investigator like Tom. Her big dream is to be a partner with Tom in his Polish Dragon Investigations business.
What is the next adventure you have lined up for the Polish Dragon P.I.?
Tom will now have to partner up with Suzie again as a friend of hers has a 600 year old family bible disappear after his father was killed in a car accident. The bible may hold clues to a dark secret from the families past.
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Polish Dragon P. I. (Midnight Cranes)
![Polish Dragon P. I. (Midnight Cranes) by [Steve Zimcosky]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41H3yIPXDaS.jpg)
Still recovering from jat lag as a result of his last case, Tom Sipowicz, the Polish Dragon P.I., is needed yet again. This time he is asked to go undercover at MaGed Material Handling to get to the bottom of a couple of mysterious deaths, with suspicions of theft and drugs just to make things a little more interesting. As Tom makes his way around the warehouse, trying his best to blend in, his well trained eye is quick to pick out a few suspects and odd happenings among his new peers. With the help of some friends as well as his own set of skills, Tom soon finds just how deep the problem goes!
In The Polish Dragon P.I. (Midnight Cranes) by Steve Zimcosky, we again get to follow the intriguing exploits of Tom Sipowicz as he seeks to solve all manner of enthralling mysteries. This time he’s asked to help solve a couple of deaths at an international company that specializes in building hardwares. The president isn’t satisfied with the official report by the authorities, and Tom is recommended to him. Instead of his usual methods, Tom is asked to go undercover so he can better assess and observe those at the warehouse, knowing that at least one of them is potentially responsible for the deaths. This provides for an entertaining narrative twist that puts the P.I. in different situations. Along the way, Zimcosky does an excellent job of fully immersing the reader in the environment Tom is living and working in. The plot moves fast even with lots of details given to the reader throughout the story.
Like the other books in this series, Midnight Cranes is a fun and quick read. Tom is the kind of character that is instantly likeable and seems to be capable of just about anything; a trait that provides him with his many adventures. The quick references to past books makes everyone seem more relatable and familiar, which makes the book even more enjoyable.
Midnight Cranes is the perfect book for some light and fun reading that delivers intrigue and entertainment on par with a full length novel but Zimcosky does it in under 90 pages. This is a book that will excite long time fans of the series as they’ll find the tried and true protagonist in new situations, but new readers will enjoy the easy story and alluring mystery.
Pages: 213 | ASIN: B093MX47QX
LITERARY TITAN 