Edwin Steelside: Searching Out the Devil by Bradford Bennett | Book Review
A string of impossible cases. A detective chasing the truth. What is Edwin Steelside really searching for?
In this review of Edwin Steelside: Searching Out the Devil by Bradford Bennett, I share my thoughts on the story, characters, and what readers can expect from this literary thriller.
About Edwin Steelside: Searching Out the Devil
Edwin Steelside: Searching Out the Devil By Bradford Bennett
Published by Tellwell Publishing on February 2026
Genres: Literary Fiction, Thriller
Formats: eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 292
Unsolvable murders, and innocent suspects. It's time to bring in Steelside.
The Final SceneTwo talented performers take center stage for a heart-wrenching love song. Their soaring voices deliver a dramatic aria for a scene that will never be surpassed. Or will it?
The Marathon MurderGreat human sports achievements fill our history books with superhuman feats. Then comes one runner to break all the records, plus anyone else in his way.
The Pharmacy IncidentAdvancing the science of medicine gives us miracle cures for life-saving treatments. Now Ed is hired to look into their dark closets and finds—do we trust them too much?
There's Death in TexasA deadly killer stalks the state of Texas, and no one knows he's coming except for fate and a crack detective. Now, Ed must find the path to stop one of the most deadly killers in North American history.
Reader resources:
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Review at a Glance
| Genre | Literary Thriller |
| Structure | Four connected mystery cases |
| Length | 292 pages |
| Tone | Classic PI / old-school detective |
| Pacing | Moderate, steady build |
| Content Rating | Moderate (crime themes, some violence) |
| My Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) |
Quick Take: A thoughtful, classic-feeling detective novel with layered cases and a strong central investigator
Content Considerations:
- Murder investigations
- Crime and violence (non-graphic)
- Moral/ethical dilemmas
- Light romantic subplot
With that in mind, let's take a closer look.
My Thoughts
This story leans into that old-school private investigator vibe-the kind where the detective does more thinking than chasing, and the tension builds through logic rather than chaos.
The structure works well. Instead of one long investigation, you get four separate mysteries, each with its own tone and level of complexity. As the book progresses, those cases deepen, asking more from both Steelside and the reader. It creates a satisfying rhythm-you solve one puzzle, only to be pulled into something a little darker or more layered next.
The writing itself is clean and easy to follow, which works well for a logic-driven story like this. There's no unnecessary confusion or overcomplication-just a clear path through each mystery, allowing the reasoning behind the solutions to really shine.
There's also a small thread of romance woven in, but it never overtakes the story. Instead, it gives us a glimpse into Steelside's personal struggles, adding a bit of emotional depth to balance the investigative focus.
In Conclusion
If you enjoy classic detective stories where the clues matter, the logic holds up, and the cases steadily build in complexity, this one is a solid and satisfying read.
If you enjoy thoughtful suspense and layered storytelling, you might also like some of my other mystery and detective reviews.
Excerpt
To give you a feel for Bradford Bennett's writing style and the tone of the story, here is a brief excerpt from Edwin Steelside: Searching Out the Devil.
THE MARATHON MURDER
Andre was late. He rushed into the house, grabbed his TV remote, and clicked it on. A runner on a track appeared. "He's on the final straightaway," a frantic announcer shouted. "Only a hundred yards to the finish…sixty yards…forty yards…twenty yards… He's crossed the tape!"
The runner staggered to a stop, hands on his knees, gasping to catch his breath. A loud, cheering crowd soon drowned out the broadcast.
"Attention, ladies and gentlemen," the announcer returned, his voice echoing throughout the stadium. "I now have the official results." The crowd finally quieted.
"Hermando Montregalo has just broken the world's marathon record by six minutes, forty-eight seconds!" A roar burst out from the stadium. The exhausted runner raised his arms in victory- cheering fans on the field swarmed around him in a frenzy of admiration.
The camera cut to the announcer in the booth. "Still yet to appear on this final straightaway," he went on, "is the now ex-world champion, Nigerian Ligajah Lambafa. He won't reach this finish for another incredible six minutes!" The reporter removed his glasses and addressed the camera.
"Sports fans!" he announced. "This astonishing record will shock the track and field world into disbelief. Today, we just witnessed an unbelievable human achievement."
Andre switched off the broadcast, threw the remote down, and stormed from the room.
Meet Bradford Bennett
About Bradford Bennett
Bradford Bennett lives with his wife, Norrie, in Oliver, BC, Canada's wine capital in the heart of the Okanagan Valley. Norrie loves visiting all the many grape wineries there. Alas, Brad can't drink wine; he's allergic to sulphates. "I don't like the damn stuff anyway," Brad says. "Just give me a good dark ale." He is a retired art director and designer, now writer. He has published three short stories, which have won placement in a book of short stories three years in a row.
Brad was born in Oregon and grew up in the Willamette Valley. Later, as an adult, after art training, he spent fifteen years working in his own studio in Dallas, Texas. Brad then moved to Canada and worked for two major Canadian ad agencies as a creative art director. There, he ventured into working on TV ads—it was gruelling but fun. His client was Alberta's CP hotels, then he worked for a dairy, producing ice cream. A dream job for sure. Later, Brad opened his own freelance design studio. But he always wanted to write fiction stories. So, on retirement, he has written three books.
This one, based on Ed Steelside, is his favourite.
Explore more from the author:
Amazon | Goodreads
Where to Find
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Tour dates: April 21 - May 12, 2026. To see the full schedule of stops, visit the
Goddess Fish Promotions - Edwin Steelside: Searching Out the Devil Tour Page.
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