OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Death doesn’t take a vacation.

Private Investigator Steve Cassidy has a knack for finding trouble in the most unusual places. This time around, he gets entangled in a new mystery during a romantic getaway!

On a relaxing weekend trip, Steve and his girlfriend Dawn board The Tour of True Terror sightseeing bus to discover the City of Dannenberg’s deadly history. The three-hour excursion highlights crimes from the past century, allowing the anxious tourists an up-close look of each murder scene. Final destination: the stately McDowell Mansion, built in 1902 by the most powerful man of his time as the ultimate status symbol. Decades later, it is now known as the site where great-great-grandson Eric McDowell killed his school teacher wife Lucy in cold blood … or, so claims Guide Rodney Dutton, the Retired Detective who worked the case six years earlier.

After a violent confrontation outside the mansion between Rodney and Eric’s outspoken mother-in-law, Steve offers to review the court transcript and police files. Not one to retreat from a challenge, he soon discovers that the depth of deception involved in this crime will test his skills like no other case has.

Brimming with unforgettable characters, Cassidy’s trademark sarcasm and investigative intellect, Off The Beaten Path will leave you twisting in anticipation as its shocking conclusion is methodically revealed.

Death doesn’t take a vacation.

Author publishes third book of popular P.I. series

“Leave it to P.I. Steve Cassidy to follow the trail of the real killer using little more than a crumpled receipt and a hot dog. An intriguing read!”

– Annette Hamm, CHCH news anchor –

PRESS RELEASE

September 27, 2013 – Windsor, ON

After an almost four year absence from bookshelves, Canadian author John Schlarbaum’s entertaining private investigator Steve Cassidy returns to form in Off The Beaten Path. The third novel in this compelling series finds the super sleuth getting entangled in a new mystery during a romantic getaway!

On a relaxing weekend trip, Steve and his girlfriend Dawn board The Tour of True Terror sightseeing bus to discover the City of Dannenberg’s deadly history. The three-hour excursion highlights crimes from the past century, allowing the anxious tourists an up-close look of each murder scene. Final destination: the stately McDowell Mansion, built in 1902 by the most powerful man of his time as the ultimate status symbol. Decades later, it is now known as the site where great-great-grandson Eric McDowell killed his school teacher wife Lucy in cold blood … or, so claims Guide Rodney Dutton, the Retired Detective who worked the case six years earlier.

“The idea came to me following the release of the second novel, When Angels Fail To Fly,” author and private investigator Schlarbaum states. “In that book, as well as in Barry Jones’ Cold Dinner, I had thoroughly explored Steve’s troubled professional and romantic relationship past, establishing what makes this man tick. With this novel, I wanted to showcase what Steve does best: solve cold cases in his own unique way.”

Not one to retreat from a challenge, Steve discovers that the depth of deception involved in this crime will test his skills like no other case has. Unlike the first two novels in which he was a lone wolf-type character, this time Steve has some much needed help to keep him focused on the mystery at hand.

“The great part about writing a series is that you can develop characters over a longer period of time, compared to stand alone novels,” Schlarbaum explains. “The very casual relationship Steve began with a waitress in the last book, blossoms into a full-blown partnership, both at home and when they are occasionally conducting surveillance together on the road. Dawn is funny, smart and given a much bigger role. She is definitely Steve’s better half, allowing him to be, dare I say, happy, which only enhances his outlook on life and his investigative skills.”

Written in the same vein as the series first successful mystery, Barry Jones’ Cold Dinner, Schlarbaum believes readers will embrace the new novel.

“I think this book is the perfect companion piece to the previous novels and will satisfy the loyal fans who’ve been patiently awaiting Steve’s return.”

Brimming with unforgettable characters, Cassidy’s trademark sarcasm and investigative intellect, Off The Beaten Path will leave you twisting in anticipation as its shocking conclusion is methodically revealed.

“Leave it to P.I. Steve Cassidy to follow the trail of the real killer using little more than a crumpled receipt and a hot dog. An intriguing read!”

– Annette Hamm, CHCH news anchor and former crime reporter

“In Off the Beaten Path Steve Cassidy is showing his softer side but has lost none of his edgy wit or ability to solve a good mystery.”

– Bob Steele, CBC RADIO

“This book is near perfect. Schlarbaum reminds us what a great mystery novel is. A dark character that you know you shouldn’t like, but do. An incredibly sexy female side kick and an interesting plot that keeps you turning the page well past your bed time.”

– Alan Coombs, Astral Radio, CJBK Radio

“Private investigators – they’re just like us! Well, okay, that’s not entirely true. But what sets Steve Cassidy and, moreover, his waitress girlfriend Dawn, apart from other contemporary whodunit couples is their extremely relatable personalities. As the protagonists of this recent release by local author John Schlarbaum, the pair is immediately likeable. Seasoned, sarcastic, and confident in his abilities, the reader wants to jump into Cassidy’s shoes for this journey despite (or maybe because of) his checkered past as a cop. The reader quickly discovers that Dawn’s sleuthing skills give Steve the insight he needs as his latest case morphs into something much larger than he bargained for. And we like them together. What the authorities tried to present as a cut-and-dried murder is anything but, and with each puzzle piece Steve manages to fit into place, his investigation gets darker and stretches back further. This engrossing mystery will have you guessing until the very end.”

– Amie Ronald-Morgan, Scene Magazine

“Schlarbaum untangles again! This time Steve Cassidy is refreshingly more comfortable with himself and subsequently, his relationships. Schlarbaum has also fine-tuned his gift in developing amiable characters. I tried to hold myself back from reading only one chapter every morning but eminently found spans of time to read, yet another page turner of his, as fast as I could turn them – for I was desperate to know whodunit!

– Tina Wells, Voice-Over Goddess and Host of TV Cogeco’s Plugged In!

“Filled with humorous text and plenty of mystery and intrigue, this book not only makes you laugh, but keeps you in suspense as well. In true Steve Cassidy style, Schlarbaum does not disappoint the loyal fans of his mystery novels!”  ~ Marlene Markham-Gay, BIZ-X Magazine

“Author John Schlarbaum’s “Off the Beaten Path” takes readers down an enjoyable and intriguing path of deception, lies, coverups and questions in what is probably one of his best books yet. It is an easy read in the sense that the book keeps readers’ attention and always leaves book lovers wondering what happens in the next chapter. The character Steve Cassidy is as sharp as ever and his interactions with Dawn are nice additions to the book and help show a different side to the private investigator. Overall, the plot keeps the reader guessing with characters that grip the readers’ imaginations and is complex enough to lose oneself in the mystery. I’m already looking forward to Cassidy’s next cold case!” ~ Ron Giofu, River Town Times Newspaper

“I’m all done the book – loved it! Think once I reached page 150 my time spent reading it really increased and then I blew through the last 60 pages in one day.” ~ Geoff Knight, London, ON

“I read your novel “Off the Beaten Path” over the Christmas Break, and I wanted to let you know that I very much enjoyed it! I think that Steve Cassidy is an interesting character and want to learn more about his past. For me, the best thing about the book was that I had no idea who Lucy’s killer was, the motive, or how Steve would figure it out. It was a very believable story and I cannot wait to read more of your books!” ~ Rachel Fitzgerald

“I read the book in less than two days and loved the plot twists and turns with Steve, eventually, totally “off the beaten path”. I like how you insert local sites – Boblo roller coaster – Navy Yard Park – and especially Rodney Dutton (scoundrel)! I wish you continued success!” ~ Debi Shervington, Leamington, ON

“I loved the book! Steve had me on the edge of my seat. So many twists and turns. I loved the story of Steve and Dawn too. She was a big asset to the case. Great job John.” ~ Amy Bailey, Amherstburg, ON

“P.I. Steve Cassidy is a good egg, hardboiled on the outside, soft within. Schlarbaum puts him through his paces in an authentically rendered small-town and city milieu. The plot unfolds through some neat set pieces, the best being the concert venue in Garland. Sound plot resolutions and interesting cast of characters. Thanks for the good read, John!”  ~ Shirley Burkhart, Amherstburg, ON

“Great story, John. Glad to see Steve growing up finally! Congrats on an entertaining and exciting whodunit.”

– Jen Thorne, Amherstburg, ON

“It was a great book. Definitively your best!”

– Tina Bezaire, LaSalle, ON