A coyote found the body
first as it lay at the base of a pagoda in Thailand Plaza. Driven by the fires
that had consumed Griffith Park moving her natural food sources away, the
scrawny coyote took off a chunk of thigh before the flashing lights and sirens
of the first officers to arrive on scene sent her scurrying off elsewhere this
new day.
Paramedics and firefighters
soon add to the scene further snarling traffic. Not only does that snarl of
traffic make it harder for morning commuters, it slows down the arrival of
Detectives Tully Jarsdel and Morales. Five years on the force and new to
homicide, the death of a person who was possibly tortured and then cooked alive
at high temperatures much like your Sunday dinner roast, becomes his case to
solve as lead detective in One Day You’ll Burn: A Novel by Joseph
Schneider.
This police procedural
combines a horrific case full of mystery in with elements of history and
philosophy to create a compelling and intense read. Jarsdel walked away from a
very promising career in academia and did so with tremendous personal
repercussions that continue years later. His background is going to play a
major role in the case as events unfold. A role that may encourage Morales and
others to lay off the jokes for a while.
In addition to the main
storyline, there are several secondary storylines at work in this debut police
procedural. One of which involves the killing of family pets and may disturb
some readers. Intense and very complicated, very graphic at times, One
Day You’ll Burn: A Novel is a
different read than a lot of the police procedurals you come across. It is also
incredibly good and very much recommended.
For another take on the
book, make sure to read Lesa Holstine’s review. I would not have read the book without this review by Lesa. The second book of the series, What Waits For You, is currently
scheduled to be released on January 5th.
One Day You’ll Burn: A Novel
Joseph Schneider
Poison Pen Press
February 2020
ISBN# 978-1-4926-8444-2
Paperback (also available in
audio and eBook formats)
336 Pages
My read came my way of the
Downtown Branch and ultimately to me through the “Library To Go” curbside
pickup program at the Lochwood Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2020
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4 comments:
Excellent review, Kevin. You write so well. I like to see what you cover in a review that I didn't. Thanks, and thank you for linking to my review as well.
Oh, I don't think the review or me is all that. Glad to link to your review as always. Especially here when I read the book because of your review.
Great review, Kevin, and spot on. I loved this book. Disclosure: I've known Joseph Schneider all his life having been friend and TV writing staff colleague to his parents in the 1980s. But I would have loved this book anyway. It's a great and original read.
I knew nothing before seeing Lesa's review. It really worked for me and is not the typical police procedural deal at all. Very much enjoyed it.
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