Gore Galore

Four murdered victims are discovered in a Virginia town. Such an event in a residential community of its size was unthinkable. There hadn't been a crime there since a "breaking and entering felony" several years ago. Media dubbed it "Forest Avenue Massacre"which was an error since a massacre requires five or more corpses. Lurid as the event was media interest faded rather quickly. There wasn't anything to write about, no suspects, no forensic evidence and barred from viewing the grim killing site.
Investigative units came and went. Foxtrot police would do their own investigating. Sergeant Nick Noulte (no relation to the film star and the spelling is different) was the extremely reluctant head of the case. Captain Johnson, chief of police, was a wily veteran in police matters and Nick was no match for him. Cajoled, praised and subtly threatened with job loss he caves in. He is the only police officer Johnson had with the knowledge to handle it.
Blind alleys flourish for Nick the reluctant detective.