'The Coffin Haulers,' new novel by North Center novelist, is now available

A crisp, October evening in 1974: As an attractive Polish immigrant walks the deserted streets of Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, she’s filled with hope about her future. In a few hours she’s found murdered in a gangway. It’s a crime the police pursue without much interest, but for private detective Joey Boloccini it represents a chance to break the monotony of his fledgling career and achieve the success that’s eluded him.

At the heart of the mystery is the Pilsudski family – Anton, Mamie, Walter and Marek – known as The Coffin Haulers for the humiliating, low-paying job they perform. Yet no one is aware, especially the police, of how wealthy they are. The Pilsudskis have a family secret: It’s not hauling coffins that bring in money, but what’s inside them.

As his investigation proceeds, Joey is forced to make decisions that obscure the difference between right and wrong, good and evil, saints and sinners. “Not all the sins we commit are mortal,” he thinks at one point. “They don’t deserve punishment.”

“The Coffin Haulers” is the second novel featuring private detective Joey Boloccini. He made his debut in “The Champagne Ladies,” also available on Amazon as an e-book.

Priced at $2.99, “The Coffin Haulers, is available on Kindle devices and Kindle apps for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, PC, Mac, BlackBerry and Android-based devices.

About the Author

Gregg Cebrzynski was born in Chicago’s Little Village and lived there until he embarked on a long career as an award-winning journalist. He has lived in North Center for the past 11 years.