John Zullo

The Delford Redemption John Zullo

Publisher Marketing: Dr. Daniel Foster is a seventy year old man, living in the rural town of Delford Pennsylvania. Through a series of eight conversations/reminiscences he has with the good people of Delford, we learn about his past life: from his childhood in Brooklyn; to his college years on Long Island; to his time as a teacher in both New York and New Jersey; to his retirement in Pennsylvania. These conversations/reminiscences are both humorous and enlightening. We learn a lot about him through these soliloquies. The two most important things we learn are: due to his existentialism, he is unable to make connections with others; and he witnessed a murder thirty years ago, that initially seems benign. Meanwhile, the primary story is being driven forward by four Delford law enforcement officers: Chief Glen Garber - forty year old, former Philadelphia detective; Officer Timothy Bracken - twenty eight year old, sharpshooter and Delford native; Officer Louis Shedden - thirty five year old, former Special Forces soldier from Canada; and Amanda Pendergast - twenty five year old, Penn State law student. They are investigating five murders, which occur on the same morning, in a town which hasn't had a first degree murder committed in fifteen years. Although the entire novel is excellent, the way the two stories connect is profound. In addition to this connection - which is central to the overall story - we also see how Foster comes full circle and is finally able to effect positive change; both in himself and in the world around him. The climax is also profound and the overall character development is both penetrating and insightful. The relationship between Foster and a young Delford boy named Peter Ryan is filled with humor and wisdom. The relationship between Foster and Shedden - the only person Foster didn't know, prior to these murders - is filled with caring, understanding and mutual respect.