Private Investigator for the Invisible Victims: Breaking Stereotypes with Zachary Goldman
The Zachary Goldman PI Mysteries series can be found here.
In the glossy pantheon of contemporary crime fiction, the private investigator is often portrayed as a figure of rugged independence—a Philip Marlowe or Dick Tracy navigating through glamorous, neon-lit alleys. But Zachary Goldman is a different kind of detective. He doesn’t inhabit a world of sophisticated capers. in She Wore Mourning and other books in the series, Zachary does piecework that he hates—surveillance of adulterous spouses, skip tracing, following potentially fraudulent insurance claimants. He enjoys accident reconstruction and the occasional more interesting cases that he gets from clients who are often poverty-stricken, neurodivergent, or institutionalized—he is the last hope of the invisible that society would prefer to leave behind.
The Investigator as a Mirror: Zachary’s Institutional History
Zachary empathy for the marginalized reflects his own traumatic history. At age ten, on a Christmas Eve shattered by domestic violence, Zachary attempted to create some normalcy by decorating the family’s Christmas tree. That endeavor resulted in a fire that left him with permanent physical and psychological scars. But it was the deeper wound—betrayal from those who should have protected him—that truly marked his life.
In a chilling display of indifference, Zachary’s own mother labeled him “incorrigible” and told Social Services she would no longer care for him and that he deserved to be in prison rather than foster care. Her rejection launched Zachary into a soul-crushing cycle of foster homes and secure facilities. Because he spent his formative years behind those same doors, he recognizes all too well the clinical language of institutions; he knows exactly what it sounds like when a facility lies to cover its secrets and failures.
“Prisons for kids who had never been convicted of anything.” — Zachary Goldman, She Wore Mourning
The Facade of “Progress”: Clinical Suppression at Summit Learning Center
In His Hands Were Quiet, we see institutional care clearly through Quentin’s experience at Summit Learning Center. There, success was measured by how effectively Quentin could mimic neurotypical behavior—a process that required total suppression of his identity.
The facility trained neurodivergent children in “scripted speech,” creating a hollow mask of functionality. Quentin was taught to deliver rote responses, providing comforting narratives for professionals, but was unable to communicate genuine distress. Natural behaviors—like stimming or hand flapping—were viewed as non-compliance to be “fixed” rather than understood.
This clinical suppression disregarded Mira Kelly’s instincts as a mother; she recognized her son’s growing agitation beneath the mask. When the institution dismisses Quentin’s death as an unforeseeable suicide, it serves as a brutal reminder that society prizes a neurotypical facade over messy human realities.
Who is this series for?
If you love:
- socially conscious crime fiction,
- trauma-informed mystery,
- private investigator thriller,
This is the series for you!
Why Zachary Goldman Defends Invisible Victims
I often write about those whom our society seems to view as disposable—youth lost in foster care and those trafficked on society’s fringes. This focus on emotional truth has garnered recognition from organizations like In the Margins Committee, which celebrates literature that humanizes individuals living in shadows cast by our justice system. Works such as Ruby Between the Cracks and Tattooed Teardrops illustrate injustices faced disproportionately by marginalized populations.
The “Invisible” Victims Zachary Champions include:
- Youth in Foster Care or Custody
- Neurodivergent Individuals
- Impoverished
- Addicts
- LGBT
How Institutional Systems Fail Neurodivergent Youth
In all of my work, I strive to portray psychological realism. Zachary’s PTSD, ADHD, compulsions, depression, and other issues are not mere character quirks; they represent an ongoing struggle to succeed in a world that discarded him long ago. His trauma sometimes manifests vividly: a paralyzing panic attack triggered by Christmas music echoing back to that fateful night when everything changed.
This extends into his personal life—especially regarding his bitter divorce from Bridget—a separation fueled by devastating medical trauma serves as poignant examples illustrating how trauma can erode even our most intimate relationships.
As one reviewer noted:
“P.D Workman does not shy away from probing deep psychological scars stemming from childhood trauma, mental illness, and addiction.” — Kim, Goodreads Reviewer
What Makes Trauma-Realistic Crime Fiction Different
Zachary Goldman does more than solve puzzles; he validates the existence of those discarded by society’s norms. He stands up for mothers whose instincts are dismissed by experts and advocates for children trapped within rigid systems that fail them at every turn. By refusing to look away from grit and pain, he forces us all to confront humanity hiding in plain sight.
How closely are we prepared to look at those whom society prefers to ignore?
FAQs
- Who is Zachary Goldman in P.D. Workman’s books?
Zachary Goldman is a private investigator who often takes cases involving people ignored by traditional systems, including vulnerable and marginalized clients. - Are Zachary Goldman books focused only on crime-solving?
No. The mysteries are central, but the stories also explore trauma, mental health, and the real-world impact of institutional failures. - Do these books contain spoilers about major twists?
This article and the series marketing focus on setup, themes, and stakes without revealing culprit identities or ending twists. Reading later books in the series may spoil a few twists, but I try to avoid spoiling earlier books as much as possible! - Can new readers start late in the series?
Yes. The later books are written to be accessible for new readers while still rewarding long-time followers. - What themes does this crime fiction series explore?
Key themes include social invisibility, justice gaps, neurodivergence, trauma recovery, and moral complexity. - Why is Zachary different from classic private investigators?
He is less glamorized and more grounded in everyday cases, often advocating for people institutions have failed.
