Lee Martin (1) (1955–)

Inspired by or based on a true crime from 1844, this slim novel (248 pages in a trade paperback with many blank pages between chapters) is either intended to fill in the blanks in the historical record (the last chapter seems lifted from a newspaper account I found by Googling the actual case) or is a story of Martin's imagination hung on the skeleton of the historical record of the crime. I really longed for an afterward where Martin might've explained his intent.

A woman, Betsy Reed, already the source of gossip due to her "witchy" ways, is accused of murdering her glassmaker husband by poisoning him with arsenic. The case against her hinges on the claim of a teenage girl who worked for the Reeds that she saw Mrs. Reed put white powder in her husband's morning coffee.

This is a simple story, simply told. more about secrets and things not said than a whodunit. Slowly, the secrets come out, but the ending seemed inevitable. With straight-forward prose and no clear protagonist (Betsy and the girl, Eveline, seem to share that role), the book was disappointing. Repetition of the known facts and opinions feels like padding, And while this was a fast read and I wanted to know the fate of all the characters, I did find it hard to truly care about any of them. Martin has much to say here about love, imperfections, adolescent yearnings, and a woman's role in society in early-19th Century US, but the message feels flat and left me with the sense that this could have been much better.… (meer)

A confessional type of whodunit... narrated by several people from small town Indiana about the disappearance of 9-year-old Katie Mackey one lovely summer evening when she rides off on her bike to return her library books. The book takes place in the early 70s -- idyllic years of childhood freedom and the taken-for-granted safety of a town where everyone knows you -- references abound to music, clothing styles, cars, and current events allowing the reader to be grounded in the time period. Despite the appearance of normalcy and status quo, there are many undercurrents in town about changing social mores, class, and status. Multiple people are culpable in Katie's abduction: as the author states: "where does responsibility start and end?" Not only are present situations to blames, but past sins linger too. Despite the difficult-to-read subject matter, the story is beautifully, almost poetically written with reflection and honesty and the reader feels privileged to be in the know.… (meer)

It is 1952 and Jean De Belle has broken off her engagement to Charlie, due to his erratic temper and excessive drinking. She is excited though, she has been hired by a high school in a small town in Illinois. But it is not to be as Charlie catches up to her, and shoots her when she will not take back his ring. This is based on a true case, and though a crime is committed the focus is on how violence and rumors change those in the path of this violence.

The atmosphere feels right, the judgemental people who gossip and those who play up their part in this tragic event. Ten minutes of fame. Life does go on and some people discover strengths they didn't know they had. Some gossip and this gossip costs one woman her livlhood. It's about change and the long reach of violence. About small town mores and teenagers who are involved in a complicated mess. Everyone must find a new path, forced to reevaluate their lives after this event.

Well written, with an important message, but also slowly paced. Worth reading and many have rated this higher.… (meer)