Eight stars
Nancy Allen made herself known to me through her collaborative writing efforts in the past, which made me curious to explore some of her own work. After devouring the series debut, I chose to forge onwards with this second novel. It proved just as addictive and kept me wanting to push through to learn all the nuances of the story and the author’s approach. Allen has a great ability to convey her passion through legal thrillers, especially those in an out-of-the-way location. Focussed on the Missouri Ozarks, where the rules do not follow the mainstream, Allen develops her protagonist and a foray into murder trials that will open her eyes. Allen has a great thing here and has taken the reader on quite the adventure.
The Missouri Ozarks are nothing like many places in the United States. What some might call backwards, the region is home to many people who have found religion and lost all sense of the outside world. Elsie Arnold has grown up here and after finishing law school, she returned to help in the prosecutor’s office. Pining to have a murder case cross her desk, she is excited when a body is found under a bridge across the county. When she is shelved in deference of the new chief assistant, Chuck Harris, Elsie is less than impressed. However, she’ll take second (or third) chair when it is offered. Anything tho help try this case.
The victim is discovered to have been a bus driver with her throat slit. When the bus is located, its inside is covered in blood. Some additional investigation proves that the only occupant was a fifteen-year-old boy who has no remorse for anything, though he denies committing the murder. Else is unsure how to handle this, but will not stand down, as long as the evidence tells a story.
The severity of the charges move the accused from juvenile court to the general adult pool. A first-degree murder charge begins a frantic exploration for the truth, which has Elsie in the middle of it all. A win will help make a name for herself and ensure a killer, no matter his age, is locked up. A loss and the house of cards that is Elsie Arnold‘s career comes crashing down. It’s up to the jury to decide, though nothing is as simple as bringing the case before the court. Allen dazzles and tosses many curves for the curious reader to juggle.
Moving away from Nancy Allen’s collaborative work to her solo writing, I have been pleased to see the calibre of what is on offer. Allen does well to keep the reader engaged and wondering what they might have discovered with this series. The narrative delves deeply in the law as well as some of the backwards thinking the Missouri Ozarks has to offer, doing so respectfully while not glossing over anything. The legal matters are handled effectively, as the narrative gains speed, culminating in a case that will leave the jury buried in evidence. The characters develop well and keep the reader feeling connected to the larger story, while things are flavoured to make the case unique. This series has proved to be quite intriguing and I am eager to grab for the next book.
Plot points prove essential in this story, ensuring that nothing is quite clear and the surprises are constant. Allen advances the story well and provides many a twist to keep timings on point, while the reader sits on the edge of their set and begs for more. Dealing once more with some highly controversial subject matter, the story takes on a life of its own and forces the reader to be a juror themselves. I thoroughly enjoyed the surprises that came to light and I am eager to keep reading.
Kudos Madam Allen, for another strong story that ticks all the boxes.
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