Everywhere That Tommy Goes
Howard K Pollack
An attractive young bartender goes missing from a popular New York City hot spot and the only evidence found at the scene points to Tommy Sullivan. Fearing arrest, he runs, and is secretly followed by his new friend Troyer Savage. When an even more horrific murder occurs, and Troyer vanishes in its wake, Tommy is left in a stupor, bathed in the victim’s blood.
As his blackouts and memory lapses multiply, Tommy becomes lost between nightmare and reality. Things only get worse for him when the police build a case that links him to bodies buried in shallow graves among the sand dunes at Gilgo Beach on Long Island.
With the police in hot pursuit and the psychological tension building by the minute, the action never lets up as Tommy pieces together parts of the puzzle from clues buried deep within his tragic childhood. However, the dark secrets from his past may belie the actual truth.
The product of a difficult upbringing, Tommy Sullivan has had it tough. Rough around the edges, he’s a young man just trying to be accepted and have a good time.
Like a knight in shining armour, Troyer Savage appears in Tommy’s life, getting him out of dangerous situation. Troyer is a good looking ass-kicker and Tommy is in awe of his new friend. Troyer’s way with the ladies is equally impressive but then it all goes horribly wrong after a young woman is murdered in a shocking fashion.
Forensics, compiling evidence, questioning, they're all there, but this is no procedural crime novel, more a violently chilling psychological ‘buddy’ story of dark manipulation - or is it? Tommy’s doubts are matched by the readers' as the author cleverly handles the mystery with Tommy’s own demons influencing the investigation. There are cops, docs, lawyers and a love interest but this is Tommy’s book. His thoughts and actions, written in present tense, ring true, making him flawed and unhinged and yet a sympathetic and complex character.
For most of this story Tommy is a wanted man. Evidence points to him as a serial murderer. Efforts to clear his name are hampered by psychological, medical and legal complications, all encountered before the all-important reveal which is saved for the very end.
Pollack sure knows how to use red herrings and this is an impressive debut. Fast-paced and engaging.
About Howard K Pollack:
Howard K. Pollack is a life-long resident of Long Island and a career attorney practicing there for over twenty-five years. He is a member of the Nassau County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and is admitted to practice in the Federal Courts of the State of New York. He has been writing for personal enjoyment for many years and has written a few other books. He was moved to write this particular story when the police and news media made public the facts and mysteries surrounding the Gilgo Beach murders.