Career
His Jackson Steeg Mystery Series novels are set in Hell"s Kitchen. He followed up with his second Washington Irving Award for his novel, Old Flame published in 2008. Ira Berkowitz’s path to writing fiction took thirty years to complete.
Growing up in Brooklyn, Berkowitz dreamed of a career in medicine or law.
But advertising beckoned. When he retired, he began to write.
His first attempt at a novel garnered fifty rejections. A few were encouraging.
So, he kept at lieutenant Berkowitz’s novels explore the themes of family, loyalty, and asymmetrical justice – an all too familiar condition where the cards are stacked against the weak.
His novels are set in Hell"s Kitchen, a gentrifying neighborhood with a bloody, sordid past lieutenant is as much a major character in the series as Jackson Steeg, an alcoholic ex-New York City Police Department Homicide Detective. Although he mourns the changes in the neighborhood he loves, Steeg knows a simple truth: Number matter how much sheen and glitz is slathered on Hell’s Kitchen, crime will always thrive in its cracks and crevasses.
Jackson Steeg Ex-New York City Police Department Homicide Detective.Graduate of Most Precious Blood parochial school., Dave Steeg Jackson"s brother.
Controls the Hell"s Kitchen Rackets, Anthony Steeg Dave"s son. Attended Dartmouth, The only person who uses his first name, Dominic Steeg Retired New York City Police Department Homicide Detective.
Father of Jackson and Dave., DeeDee Santos Steeg"s favorite kid, Justin Hapner DeeDee"s boyfriend, Ginny Doyle Steeg"s ex-wife, Allie Lebow Steeg"s new flame. Advertising copywriter, Nick Doctorate"Amico Mobster.
Owns Feeney"s, Steeg"s favorite hangout, Zev Barak Russian mobster.
Known as The Golem, Kenny Apple Mobster. Refuses to kill on the Sabbath, Hell"s Kitchen Steeg"s neighborhood.
