The Jimmy O'Brien mystery novels are set in the
early 1970s. The action takes place in Jimmy's
hometown, Downey, CA. Although, a quiet
suburb of Los Angeles, Downey, in the 1970s,
was home to several Mafia bosses seeking a low
profile. They liked the quiet surroundings and
the lack of notoriety that Downey provided. They
lived in the community but performed their
nefarious deeds elsewhere. The novels harken
back to an earlier, peaceful time, a quiet time
when tension dwelled just beneath the surface.
early 1970s. The action takes place in Jimmy's
hometown, Downey, CA. Although, a quiet
suburb of Los Angeles, Downey, in the 1970s,
was home to several Mafia bosses seeking a low
profile. They liked the quiet surroundings and
the lack of notoriety that Downey provided. They
lived in the community but performed their
nefarious deeds elsewhere. The novels harken
back to an earlier, peaceful time, a quiet time
when tension dwelled just beneath the surface.
Jimmy's School Days
| Jimmy attended both Catholic and public schools in Downey. Above: Gallatin Elementary. Across: Downey High. |
| "WHY DOWNEY" |
| Below is two minute a clip cut from a quest speaking gig at Cerritos Library in 2006. |
| The video was shot before the release of my latest THE BRIMSTONE MURDERS |
After being asked to leave
Pius X as a senior, Jimmy
graduated from Downey
High School in 1956.
Pius X as a senior, Jimmy
graduated from Downey
High School in 1956.
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| LOCATIONS USED IN THE NOVELS |
| All the locations mentioned in the Jimmy O'Brien novels are real. Most of the restaurants, however, are now gone. |
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Sambo's Coffee Shop
The latest Jimmy O'Brien novel is also set
in Downey. It's now 1973 and Jimmy is
forced to track down his client who made
a daring escape while under his control.
In one scene Jimmy's tries to sneak into a
heavily guarded compound by disguising
himself as a milkman, driving a dairy truck
just like the one shown on the right.
in Downey. It's now 1973 and Jimmy is
forced to track down his client who made
a daring escape while under his control.
In one scene Jimmy's tries to sneak into a
heavily guarded compound by disguising
himself as a milkman, driving a dairy truck
just like the one shown on the right.
| The name of the dairy in the book is Sunnyville Farms. But, who knows, it could've been Rio Hondo Dairy. |
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| THE BRIMSTONE MURDERS, published by Echelon Press, ISBN: 9781590805571, Released March, 2008 |
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| THANK YOU! |
| The books take place in the 1970s, which means Jimmy is in his mid thirties when the series begins. |