Ronald L Feldman

A Wicked Brew
Josh Stone Mysteries

A Wicked Brew is a gritty, heartfelt plunge into the underbelly of Detroit in the years immediately following the 1967 riots, where beer, bullets, and bigotry collide. When Josh Stone, an ex-combat medic and military cop, takes a job as a beer truck driver to save his crumbling marriage and support his family, he steps into a world as dangerous as any battlefield. Amid warehouse thugs, union wars, and brutal antisemitism, Josh must navigate a city unraveling from racial tensions and organized crime.
But as bodies turn up and secrets spill from steel kegs and closed fists, Josh discovers he’s not just delivering beer; he’s tapping into a deadly conspiracy.

In this stunning debut of the Josh Stone Mystery series, Feldman blends dark humor, relentless suspense, and raw humanity in a story about standing up when most would turn a blind eye.

customer reviews

A Wicked Brew is a gripping and fast-paced mystery that pulls you in from the very first chapter. Ron Feldman is great! Highly recommended! What stands out most is the author’s ability to balance suspense with character development. The twists are clever without ever feeling forced, and every reveal lands with impact. The pacing is tight, yet there are moments of reflection that let you breathe and connect with the characters on a more personal level. Fans of modern detective stories with a sharp edge will absolutely love this book....AND IT IS SET IN DETROIT! Loved that!

A "can't-put-it-down" thriller that brings to life Detroit in the 60s, featuring union corruption, neo-Nazis, and a heroic new star, Josh Stone. Hopefully, the first of many Josh Stone mysteries.

“The Wicked Brew” is a mystery novel set in the underbelly of 1968 Detroit. It follows the protagonist, Josh Stone, a young beer driver, as he navigates a world rife with union corruption, payoffs, extortion, murder, and underlying antisemitism. The novel takes the reader on an adventurous journey through Stone’s struggle against evil, revealing that his fight has far-reaching implications. The book is reminiscent of Elmore Leonard’s style, incorporating numerous references to Detroit bars, restaurants, institutions, and streets. A great read…

This mystery is set in 1960s Detroit when life wasn’t exactly rainbows and butterflies. The story’s told from a unique perspective, that of a Jewish beer truck driver who sees the city and its people as they try to make ends meet. It’s this perspective that gives rise to one of the book’s real strengths: the hilarious locker-room-style repartee between truck drivers. You feel like you’re in the loading bay with them, getting punched in the shoulder, rolling your eyes and laughing. Of course, it’s not all fun and games. There are bad guys. REALLY bad guys. But maybe surprisingly, there are many heroes, too – small people, almost invisible people. People the world might not notice. Yet they punch above their weight to make the world a better place. Ultimately, in spite of the darkness in the main plotline, the story is optimistic.

About The Author

Native Detroiter Ronald L. Feldman spent decades in the beer distribution industry, first as a Teamster driver-salesman and union steward, later as vice president of a major Detroit distributor. He has served on numerous Regional and National Councils of Brewers and Distributors shaping industry policies. He is a graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit. Feldman brings authentic blue-collar grit to his fiction, drawing from the streets and warehouses he knows best.

book trailer

JOSH STONE MYSTERIES
SOON TO BE PUBLISHED

A WICKED BREW: DEATH BY BOG

1972 western Ireland. Pubs are bombed. Young abused girls at the Magdalene Laundry disappear. Friends are brutally beaten. Josh Stone refuses to end his vacation and head home. As threats mount and bodies surface in the bogs, he races to expose the killers before he becomes the next one dragged under.

A WICKED BREW: RUDE BWOYS

In early 1970’s Detroit, dreadlocked gangs, wielding large menacing knives, commit savage store robberies. When beerman Josh Stone is implored to help, by best friend Detroit Chief Detective Tim O’Flaherty, Josh is faced with a grim choice: walk away, or confront a criminal empire that kills without hesitation.

A Wicked Brew Josh Stone Mysteries