Step into the thrilling dugout of the Mickey Rawlings series, where murder mysteries meet the crack of a baseball bat in the roaring early 20th century! Written by Troy Soos, this historical mystery saga follows utility infielder Mickey Rawlings, a scrappy ballplayer who trades his glove for a detective’s cap to solve crimes across America’s iconic ballparks. Blending baseball, intrigue, and vivid historical settings, it’s a home run for fans of sports and suspense alike.
From 1912 to the 1920s, Mickey’s adventures capture the grit and glory of a transformative era in baseball and society. Whether you’re a mystery buff or a die-hard Yankees fan, this series invites you to swing into a world of speakeasies, gangsters, and diamond dreams.
How Mickey Rawlings Began
Troy Soos, a former research physicist turned author, crafted the Mickey Rawlings series out of his twin passions for baseball and history. A member of the Society for American Baseball Research, Soos drew inspiration from the sport’s golden age, weaving real players like Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth into his fictional world. Launched in 1994 with Murder at Fenway Park, the series grew from Soos’s knack for blending meticulous historical detail with fast-paced whodunits, earning praise for its authenticity and charm.
The Heart of Mickey Rawlings
The series spans seven books, each set in a different city and ballpark, with Mickey hopping teams and tackling murders. In Murder at Fenway Park (1994), a rookie Mickey stumbles upon a corpse at the brand-new Fenway, kicking off his sleuthing career amid 1912’s political fervor. Murder at Ebbets Field (1996) dives into 1914 Brooklyn, where Mickey investigates a starlet’s death against the backdrop of the Giants-Dodgers rivalry. The Cincinnati Red Stalkings (1998) sees him in 1921 Cincinnati, unraveling a deadly plot tied to the 1869 Red Stockings. Finally, The Tomb That Ruth Built (2014) places Mickey with the 1923 Yankees, navigating gangsters and a bootlegger’s murder at the new Yankee Stadium.
Themes of loyalty, justice, and resilience shine through Mickey’s journey, set against vivid historical backdrops like World War I, Prohibition, and racial tensions. Soos’s prose crackles with period slang and ballpark banter, immersing readers in smoky grandstands and bustling cities. The series’ strength lies in its balance: baseball fans revel in authentic game details, while mystery lovers savor the twists and turns of each case.
Why Mickey Rawlings Resonates
The Mickey Rawlings series has carved a niche among historical mystery fans and baseball enthusiasts, praised by outlets like USA Today for its winning blend of genres. Its meticulous research and lively characters bring the early 20th century to life, offering a nostalgic yet gritty look at America’s pastime. While not a household name, the series’ cult following cherishes its unique spin on cozy mysteries, with Mickey’s underdog charm mirroring the scrappy spirit of the era’s ballplayers.
Soos’s ability to weave real history—like the Black Sox scandal or the Klan’s rise—into fiction makes the series a time capsule of American culture. Its enduring appeal lies in its heart: a love letter to baseball and the human stories behind the scoreboard.
- Publication Years: 1994–2014
- Number of Books: 7
- Genre: Historical Mystery
- Setting: Early 20th-century American ballparks
Grab Murder at Fenway Park and step up to the plate with Mickey Rawlings’s thrilling world of baseball and intrigue! Whether you’re solving crimes or cheering from the bleachers, this series is a grand slam adventure.