Though the solution to the mystery is one of the least memorable things about it, the book as a whole more than makes up for it - every bit as good as when I first read it decades ago. The characterization of a city in turmoil, and of a good man cast into his own turmoil and finding his way to compassion and courage, make
Streets of Fire an outstanding novel. We didn't learn that much about the civil rights era in my classes in the late 70s, and this book is one of the things I credit with raising my consciousness about the issue. Even this early in his career, Thomas H. Cook was already at the top of his game.
