It’s refreshing to hear about a resource that imparts knowledge and inspires hope. This book goes beyond the traditional approach of simply providing information and should engage readers on a deeper level.

 I have two novels that are as finished as they can be. Now it's time to find an agent who wants to help me get them published.

  “You once said that for every problem there is a solution. Let’s see if you can figure this one out.”

It’s August 1987. Tom Buccaro, an introspective high school math teacher returns to his old neighborhood in Chicago for his father’s funeral. Afterwards, Tom meets with his father’s attorney who presents to Tom an envelope that contained the above penned note and an accordion folder full of news clippings and notes.

The press clippings and notes that he found recounted the story of Kenny Justinio, a local boy who was found stabbed to death in the summer of 1967. Frank had followed the case, including the arrest, trial and conviction of Carlos Ortega, a lieutenant in the city’s biggest gang, a conglomerate known as the Empire. Even after Carlos’ conviction, Frank continued to dig. Over time, he became convinced that Carlos was, in fact, innocent.

This begins the story of how Tom and three of his childhood friends reunite to solve the mystery of who killed Kenny. Along the way, they meet people who were involved, in one way or another, in the case, including one of the two police detectives who arrested Carlos, the prosecuting attorney, Kenny’s mother and Arturo, the head of the gang to which Carlos belonged.

Not surprisingly, they run into both dead ends and possible leads all of which come together at the end when one of their own makes a startling admission.

This is a mystery, but it’s more than that. It’s a story of family and friendship; of fidelity and betrayal; of the reconciliation of an estranged father and son and, of course, food. The boys are, after all, Italian.

  There are stories about families. There are stories about the plague of alcoholism and domestic violence. There are stories about sports. "Jacob" combines each of these and more into a unique story that shows how one woman, recovery, persistence, hope and hard work and, of all things, baseball can save a family.

“Jacob” shows us how, even out of the most challenging of circumstances, a father/husband, a mother/wife and a son can not only survive, but grow and change for the better. Their relationships, their love for each other and the help of those around them guide their recovery and emotional healing.