It's a very dark and gritty noir story. I loved the characters. I loved the story. I look forward to his next story and n the series ( )

Children are discovered in suitcases naked and hacked into pieces. Hank Purcell and Marvin Bondarowicz are assigned to the case and they discover even darker secrets. These two detectives were very interesting characters and humorous at times. The plot is dark as children are being killed and the themes of race, immigration and hatred abound. I found the ending to be a surprise but a very satisfying one. I would recommend this book to those who love noir police procedurals about Chicago 1956. ( )

Good story, good characters. A little noir for my taste. Reflects the time / setting well. Would read the next in the series. ( )

John Guzlowski's first detective novel, Suitcase Charlie, is a workman-like effort. Chicago itself is as much a character in the novel as the cop protagonists. From Humboldt Park to Hyde Park and the bungalow belt, Chicago in the 1950s suffuses this book as the plot proceeds in the late spring of 1956. Nuns, immigrants, hoods, families and cops with penchants for fisticuffs, drinking and whoring all fill out the cast of characters.

In any mystery, one of the central challenges is playing fair with the reader in terms of clues and resolution. Here Mr. Guzlowski does a good job, stringing out hints here and there, never in an obvious fashion, but there are enough breadcrumbs to lead the reader to the killer.

For anyone seeking to visit mid-1950s Chicago or looking for a hard-boiled procedural from the days before modern forensic science, this book will be an attractive read. ( )

I like mystery books that capture a time period and tech me something while they entertain. Suitcase Charlie is such a book.

Set in Chicago during the 50's, it follows two detectives as they try to stay out of trouble with their superiors and solve the case of a child killer. If you are expecting Sherlock Holmes, these two detectives will disappoint. They stumble, bumble, and fumble on their way to a solution.

Along the way you'll learn about cultural and economic divides in the 50's. You'll learn that sometimes the good guys are just a hare's breadth away from the bad guys. You'll also learn that solving a crime can be messy work.

Pick this one up, you won't regret it. ( )