The Essence of Truth

About the Book

New York City Police Detective, Jack Brennan, had been planning his retirement. He had been planning it for some time. He had visions of pursuing his avocation, photography, but he was derailed by a sudden turn of events. Due to the emergence of new information, the sensational murder case of actress Frances Dawson is brought, once again, into the limelight. Because of Jack’s lame duck status on the Force, he is discouraged by his superiors in his attempts to bring this new information to light. However, with the help of an old friend he presses forward to find the truth, despite the overwhelming opposition. Just like in Ibsen’s “Enemy of the People,” finding out the truth becomes paramount and Brennan must overcome all obstacles in his path to reveal it. He is ridiculed, taunted and humiliated but steadfastly continues his quest for the truth. WITHOUT TRUTH THERE CAN BE NO JUSTICE

About the Author

Patrick E. Gunning is a free lance writer and poet who was born in New York in a section of North Manhattan called Washington Heights. He currently lives in the Long Island suburb of Kings Park, N.Y. with his wife of 45 years, Barbara. Mr. Gunning was always interested in writing but was unable to pursue this interest because of family obligations. However, upon retirement, he finally realized his long awaited dream of writing and started by attempting his first novel. Mr. Gunning was attracted to fictional writing because of its creative aspect. As he put it, “It’s sort of like playing God.” “You can create any type of person, place or thing.” It is with this vivid imagination and intestinal fortitude that he completed his first novel “The Essence of Truth,” in which a retiring N.Y.C. police detective stumbles upon some evidence in a “cold case” and although being discouraged by his superiors, perseveres in the interest of obtaining justice. Mr. Gunning has also published several poems with a local community newspaper and is currently writing a sequel to his first novel.