Author: Paula LaRocque
Length: 304 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher/Date: Marion Street Mysteries, 2011
Source: Uncorrected Advance Reading Copy
About the Book
Chief of Detectives Ben Gallagher thinks life will once again be rosy when his younger brother Andrew is released from prison. But, on the very day Andrew is set free, the brothers discover the body of a lifelong friend, and the murder launches Ben on a fast slide from his revered rule of law. He is soon ordered to stay away from the case, but the closer he gets, the surer he becomes that a family member is somehow implicated. Torn between loyalties, he embarks on a race that takes him thousands of miles and a couple of decades away, leading to a cold case in the north—and a killer no one would ever suspect.
My Thoughts
It’s an interesting exercise to read a debut novel by someone who has written so much about writing itself. I had high expectations, and Ms. LaRocque did not disappoint. This book pulled me in from the opening lines:
The best way to get there from Dallas is to go straight down I-45. Takes three hours or so. The terrain’s more rolling and wooded than you might expect, especially around Corsicana. It levels off as you head south, going to heavy underbrush and open fields and farmlands.
My first thought was, “Where are we going?”, and my second thought was, “Why are we going there?” And I kept reading to find out the answers to those questions and to all of the new ones that arose as the story unfolded. The plot had just enough twists and turns to propel me along without being too confusing or far-fetched.
The characters in Chalk Line are a fascinating assortment of people. Of course, we learn a lot about Ben and his family, as this is the first novel in the series and also centers on a crime that occurs close to home, both geographically and emotionally. Ben’s fellow detectives are a predictably diverse group of people in a contemporary novel, yet are presented with enough depth that I am intrigued to know more of their stories. I was also drawn to Ben’s brother Andrew and hope to see more of him in future books as well.
I greatly enjoyed the writing in this book, especially the variety of literary references made by several of the characters. While it wouldn’t go far without a good plot or interesting characters, the quality of the descriptions and the thoughtful consideration of deeper issues takes the book to a higher level. Ben, in particular, faces personal challenges about trusting others and navigating the gray areas of life.
All said, this is an impressive debut, and I am eagerly anticipating more Ben Gallagher mysteries!
Note: This is Book #52 of my 2011 Reads (master list here). I received an advance reading copy of this book for free, and all opinions and comments are my own. You can learn more about Paula LaRocque, read an excerpt from the book and even reserve a signed copy at a pre-release discount at her official website.
I'm a mom with Asperger's raising an amazing son with autism, which means I'm basically the case manager/advocate/cheerleader/chauffeur. The rest of the time, you can usually find me with my nose in a book!
