K. C. Constantine, was the American author of the long-running mystery series featuring Mario Balzic, police chief of the fictional town of Rocksburg, PA. He was a reclusive author, but he made his first public appearance at the Festival of Mystery in Oakmont, PA in 2011. My favorite of his novels was The Man Who Liked Slow Tomatoes, but really I enjoyed them all. If you haven't read his mysteries, I would encourage you to now. Start with The Rocksburg Railroad Murders.
From Tribute Archive:
Carl Constantine Kosak died on March 23. Carl, using the pseudonym K.C. Constantine was one of the most distinguished writers of crime fiction of the past half-century. His first book, The Rocksburg Railroad Murders, was published in 1972 by the noted literary house David R. Godine, and he continued to write until his unexpected death in mid-March. He recently completed work on Another Day’s Pain, scheduled to be published early next year by The Mysterious Press, which had published ten of his books including Joey’s Case, the nominee for an Edgar award by the Mystery Writers of America as the best book of the year (1988). The character-driven Constantine novels provide a powerful and poignant view of a dying central Pennsylvania town in a starkly realistic light. Carl is survived by his son Chris Kosak, his daughter-in-law Joy Kosak, and his three treasured grandsons, Cole, Alexander and August Kosak all of Moraga, California.
Carl Constantine Kosak died on March 23. Carl, using the pseudonym K.C. Constantine was one of the most distinguished writers of crime fiction of the past half-century. His first book, The Rocksburg Railroad Murders, was published in 1972 by the noted literary house David R. Godine, and he continued to write until his unexpected death in mid-March. He recently completed work on Another Day’s Pain, scheduled to be published early next year by The Mysterious Press, which had published ten of his books including Joey’s Case, the nominee for an Edgar award by the Mystery Writers of America as the best book of the year (1988). The character-driven Constantine novels provide a powerful and poignant view of a dying central Pennsylvania town in a starkly realistic light. Carl is survived by his son Chris Kosak, his daughter-in-law Joy Kosak, and his three treasured grandsons, Cole, Alexander and August Kosak all of Moraga, California.
Read Jeff Siegel's article on K. C. Constantine in Mystery Scene Magazine.
The Man Who Liked Slow Tomatoes was not only a very good book but one of my favorite book titles ever.
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