Penance: A Holland Taylor Mystery

Winner of the 1996 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.

A PI in St. Paul, Minnesota, must clear his own name when the drunk driver who killed his wife is shot dead.

Holland Taylor is comfortable in interrogation rooms. For years, the cold dark cells of the Minneapolis homicide squad were his turf, and with the help of his partner, he wrung confessions out of countless killers. But that was long ago. Tonight Taylor's on the other side of the desk. Tonight he's the suspect.

Taylor's career in the department ended after his wife and daughter were killed in a drunk driving accident. The culprit, John Brown, was sentenced to a measly six years for vehicular manslaughter, and Taylor vowed bloody vengeance in front of open court. After a few months of freedom, Brown is shot dead, and Taylor, now a private investigator, is called in as the obvious suspect. He didn't kill John Brown, but he'll find out who did-even if it means tearing Minneapolis apart from the inside out.

Critical Acclaim for PENANCE:

"A surprisingly accomplished first novel with a likable every-man protagonist and a clever plot." -Booklist

"Impressive tough guy sass...an intriguing, darkly pessimistic take on American politics and media." -Publishers Weekly

"As long as authors like David Housewright build first novels as good as Edgar-winner Penance, readers will come." -The Armchair Detective