The Sophocles Rule

Tony Harrington, Book #5

It began with a simple coin toss, which led to a mystery, which led to the unthinkable.

The simple toss of a coin presents journalist Tony Harrington with a fascinating puzzle. And puzzles, he knows, can lead to good stories. As he searches for the origins of a particularly unusual quarter, others like it begin showing up around Orney, the small Midwestern city where he lives and works. He begins to suspect they are connected to a sixty-year-old mystery - an unsolved bank robbery and the brutal murder of its president.

As Tony digs deeper, he sparks a reaction from evil people determined to keep these secrets buried in the past. The results are two new murders and the disappearance of a teenage boy. The people of Orney react in fear and outrage, blaming Tony and the local newspaper, and putting the futures of both at risk.

With the help of a state investigator and a Hollywood actress, Tony charges ahead in the search for answers. The suspense escalates further when Tony's boss offers refuge to an ex-girlfriend fleeing a violent, abusive husband. As these intertwined stories unfold, the danger grows, violence erupts, and Tony finds himself staring into the barrel of a killer's gun.

Join Tony and his loyal friends and colleagues, as they race to find the missing boy, recover a fortune in stolen cash, stop a murderer from killing again, and once again prevent dark secrets from hiding in the past.

Owner fun fact: This is published by Bookpress Publishing here in West Des Moines, Iowa!

About the author: Joseph LeValley describes his life as filled with "outrageous good fortune." Prior to becoming an author, Joe was a reporter–photographer for daily newspapers for seven years. Subsequently, he served for more than 30 years as a healthcare executive. Also a musician and composer, Joe plays drums and guitar. In 2016, he was inducted with the Mourning Glory Rock Band into the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame. A lifelong Iowan, Joe has a degree in journalism from Drake University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Iowa. He and his wife Jane have six children and live in Dallas County Iowa.

*It is important to note that the Tony Harrington books may be read in any order. The order indicated here is by publication. Don't miss the previously published titles: Burying the Lede, Cry from an Unknown Grave, The Third Side of Murder, & Performing Murder