Some summers feel like a blur—too short, too sweet, and too packed with memories you can’t quite sort out. But in Brutal Innocence, that hazy warmth of 1979 comes with a gritty edge. This riveting novel by Tom Mohrbach flings you headfirst into a small Michigan community, where a liquor store job becomes the catalyst for one teenage boy’s moral and spiritual awakening. It’s a coming-of-age story like no other—let’s be real, you’re not gonna forget this one.
Stevie’s Crossroads
Seventeen-year-old Stevie is stuck between a squeaky-clean upbringing and a startling wave of trouble he never saw coming. One minute, he’s a track star dreaming about that running scholarship; the next, he’s lugging boxes in a liquor store that’s more than a little sketchy. He’s torn between big career choices—maybe police officer, or fighter pilot, or even the seminary. That’s a serious menu of options, right? But the reality he faces every day—racism, sex, violence, and other hot messes—forces him to question everything.
And that’s just the store’s underbelly. Stevie’s also an avid runner—his high school cross-country team’s shining star. He’s banking on that skill to help him chase down a scholarship and cover his college tuition. But let’s be honest: the swirling chaos might derail his hopes faster than he can sprint the home stretch.
Jenny and the Path to Redemption
Enter Jenny—a free-spirited older girl who could be the very best or the absolute worst thing to happen to Stevie that summer. Is she gonna drag him further into the darkness, or does she hold the key to pulling him back from the brink? The novel doesn’t skimp on suspense, flipping page after page of tension as you wonder which direction this relationship is headed. You’ll find yourself biting your nails, hoping Stevie doesn’t crash and burn in a swirl of bootleg liquor, high-school drama, and dangerous distractions.
Prostitutes, racism, and violence all coalesce into a single storm of moral challenges, threatening to swallow him whole. But Jenny might stand as his beacon—or maybe she’s just as adrift as he is…
Exploring the Darkness—and Finding Light
Mohrbach’s tale reveals how easily innocence can slip away—like sand through your fingers—when faced with temptation at every turn. It’s a no-holds-barred look at a young man’s struggle to find his moral footing in a world riddled with contradictions. One moment, you feel the summer sun on Stevie’s back as he trains for cross-country; the next, you’re plunged into the liquor store’s shady underbelly. There’s an unsettling tension in each chapter…you feel the glass shatter before you even see the shards on the floor.
In it, Tom Mohrbach doesn’t sugarcoat the grim realities lurking in a small-town liquor store. Stevie sees alcoholics walking in at all hours, prostitutes hanging around for shady deals, and bootleggers pushing questionable goods. It’s a shock to his system, given he grew up in a more sheltered world. Yet, in the middle of all this chaos, he’s still gotta juggle normal high-school pressures—like training for cross-country meets, contemplating college, and figuring out if he can keep any shred of innocence intact. It’s messy, complicated, and—let’s be real—totally captivating.
Stevie’s running escapades add another layer of excitement, giving you glimpses of heart-pounding races and adrenaline-fueled training runs. But don’t think for a second that these pages read like a standard sports tale. Each stride mirrors his internal struggle—the faster he runs, the more he’s forced to confront the world spinning out of control around him. Could his devotion to running be the thing that saves him, or will it all go up in smoke if he makes one wrong move?
About the Author
Tom Mohrbach knows a thing or two about real-life drama. He’s a retired police officer from Michigan, and he spent nearly three decades dealing with all kinds of chaos—some folks on their worst days, others just looking for a way out. He poured those experiences into his writing, creating characters that feel authentic because they’re drawn from real encounters. Mohrbach also penned a series of articles for The Monroe Evening News, highlighting true police exploits. After tackling over 150 articles in three years, he turned to fiction—crafting action-packed novels that practically leap off the page.
His style’s been influenced by heavy-hitters like John Sandford, Lee Child, and Vince Flynn, and you can see that same intensity in Brutal Innocence. Chapters are short and punchy, delivering that “just one more page” vibe that leaves you breathless. Mohrbach calls his books “weekend novels”—the kind you can devour in a couple of days because you simply can’t stop. And although Brutal Innocence is his fifth novel, it’s a standout for its raw, emotional punch.
When he’s not scribbling down new adventures, Mohrbach can be found hiking, fishing, or diving into another good read. He lives in sunny New Port Richey, Florida, with his wife Cindy and their rescue dog, Penny. Faith plays a huge role in his life, as he’s a lifelong Catholic who leans on spirituality to guide him—both on the page and off.
Bottom line: Brutal Innocence challenges you to question how you’d handle temptation when it’s staring you down day after day. Would you cave? Would you fight back? Or would you find a lifeline in someone like Jenny—who might be just as lost as you are? This story drags you into a world so real you can’t help but wrestle with the characters’ dilemmas. That’s why it leaves a mark—and why this summer stands out as a gripping snapshot that changed everything. Expect to question notions you had of innocence.
We had the privilege of interviewing the author. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Thank you so much for joining us today! Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do.
I’m Tom Mohrbach a retired police officer from Michigan that now writes action packed novels instead of standardized police reports. The nearly thirty years I spent as a police officer introduced me to a variety of interesting individuals and situations. My fictional characters often contain aspects of actual individuals that I have personally dealt with on their worst days. This adds an emotionally raw edge to the character not often expressed in other novels.
I currently reside in sunny Florida with my wife Cindy and our rescue dog Penny. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, fishing, reading, and, of course, writing. I am a lifelong Catholic and would be lost without my faith.
All my novels are self published and available via Amazon.
Please tell us about your novel ‘Brutal Innocence’
Brutal Innocence is my fifth novel. In Brutal Innocence, a young man trying to figure out his future is exposed to a myriad of conflicts while working at a summer job at a liquor store. His moral compass is completely upended as he encounters alcoholism, violence, racism, prostitutes, bootleggers, and the pressures of high school. Jenny, a free-spirited older girl, helps him navigate through this very unusual summer. This is a gripping, no-holds-barred, coming-of-age tale like no other. Those interested in running will be excited to know that Stevie is a competitive cross-country runner. A few races and very interesting training runs are detailed throughout the storyline.
Any message for our readers
I love feedback from my readers and encourage them to check out my FaceBook page, Tom Mohrbach Novels and my website, tommohrbach.com.
Thank you so much, Tom, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!
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