Franco Patrese was born and raised in the Bloomfield (Italian) neighborhood of Pittsburgh. He was a high-school football star who matriculated to the University of Pittsburgh where he won the Heisman Trophy. When a severe knee injury ended his attempt at a pro career, he turned to law enforcement as a homicide detective.

Franco's parents were hard-working restaurateurs who die in a car wreck at the outset of Thou Shalt Kill. The service is held at Saint Paul Cathedral and officiated by Bishop Gregory Kohler who wed the couple years ago when he was a young priest.

Two days later, Franco decides to return to work and is called to Homewood (one of the most dangerous places to live in all of Pennsylvania) to investigate a murder. A female suspect reaches for something under a blanket and when she does not respond either appropriately or quickly enough, Franco shoots her. This first time ever event, haunts him.

Franco's partner and mentor for the past three years, Mark Beradino, is considered the best detective on Pittsburgh's police force. Beradino is married to Jesslyn Gedge who works as a superintendant at the Muncy Prison. Jesslyn, however, is dismissed after a sexual harrassment suit is filed against her by one of the prisoners, Mara Slinger. Slinger is not only the wife of Pittsburgh's billionaire mayor but an Oscar award winning actress who was convicted of killing each of her three babies shortly after their birth. Additionally, she is the sister of the suspect shot by Patrese and a former occupant of the Muncy Prison. Sound a bit complicated?

Patrese and Beradino are called upon to investigate a series of murders carried about by a killer dubbed "The Human Torch" since he sets his victims on fire. First, a prominent neurosurgeon and then Cardinal Kohler. Who will be next? Who is setting these people on fire and why?

Patrese and Beradino each have secrets which complicate the investigation and the denouement is extremely exciting and very well written. Daniel Blake is the pseudonym for a British author who lives in Dorset but has great insight to all things Pittsburghese (Ed. Note: So does this reviewer!) Once you get into Thou Shalt Kill, it will light a fire in your desire to turn the pages to discover how it concludes. Enjoy!

--Jerry Solot