From the French and Indian War to Oliver Hazard Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie, the city of Erie has a prideful place in the American story, but there also exists a seedy history of crime and murder. In 1905 Detective James "Jimmie" Higgins was mysteriously killed at Central High School and the drawn-out manhunt for his murderer occupied headlines for months. On a cold January night in 1911, a massive explosion rocked the Erie waterfront when criminals bombed the Pennsylvania Railroad Coal Trestle, leaving it a smoldering mass of steel and debris. The unsolved murder of Manley W. Keene inspired a local newspaper to bring in the "Female Sherlock Holmes," Mary Holland, who defied gender expectations and reshaped detective work in Erie for generations.

Justin Dombrowski has studied local history for over 15 years, specializing in local historical and criminal records. A native of Erie, Pennsylvania, he obtained a degree from Mercyhurst University and worked as an Intern with the Erie County Detective's unit. Having worked in the film industry since 2011, Justin is also a co-founder of Pickwick Entertainment, an Independent Film Production Company. His first book with The History Press, Murder & Mayhem In Erie, Pennsylvania, received critical acclaim for its writing and research. He resides in Erie, Pennsylvania.