Community Ink: Bill Gormley and the Ethics of Fictional Detectives

Program Type:

Lecture

Age Group:

Adults
  • Registration is required for this event.
  • Registration will close on May 6, 2026 @ 6:30pm.

Program Description

Event Details

Community Ink: Local Author Series

This community-focused series is designed to spotlight and celebrate the literary talent of Western Pennsylvania. This platform creates space for local authors to share their work, discuss their creative process, and connect directly with readers. These events feature book readings, lectures, signings, and Q&A sessions, fostering an intimate and interactive atmosphere. We've hosted authors like Marie Benedict, Brooke Barker and Boaz Frankel, Andy McPhee, and Clare Beams to name a few.

Our hope with Community Ink is to strengthen ties between authors and their local audience; showcase writers across genres, from fiction and poetry to memoirs and academic works; offer insights into the writing process, publishing journey, and the power of storytelling while providing visibility and encouragement for authors to thrive within their community.

Bill Gormley discusses his second murder mystery, The Silent Trumpet, set in Pittsburgh. In this novel, police investigate alleged crimes involving two Black brothers who have traveled different paths in life. One is a hugely talented jazz trumpeter, the other is a highly successful drug dealer. In his remarks, Gormley will focus especially on the ethical choices that his detectives and other characters make. He will also discuss the ethical choices made by several popular fictional detectives, including Armand Gamache (Louise Penny), Harry Bosch (Michael Connelly), Joe Leaphorn (Tony and Anne Hillerman), and Joe Pickett (C.J. Box).  

 

Bill Gormley is a recently retired Georgetown University Professor of Public Policy. For 33 years, he taught courses on public policy and bureaucratic politics. Gormley’s first mystery, Too Many Bridges, set in Pittsburgh, was published by Level Best Books in August 2024. His second mystery, The Silent Trumpet, was published in September 2025. Once a month, Gormley interviews criminologists and other social scientists about their cutting-edge research on police practices. The podcast, PROFS ON COPS, is available through Apple and Spotify.   For more information:  www.billgormley.com. 

Disclaimer(s)

Adults Only

Adults 18+ only please.

After Library Closes

This program occurs after the library closes.

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