the intriguing plot and the characters, One of the things that made Andersons story so exciting is all the twists and turns of the plot.
Gripping plot switching between flashback story with history and trial court
scenes to the character's real time years later.
Secrets, plot twists, tense revelations and twisted relationships, all push you through to the culmination, which is more than a reveal of the killer.
If you're cognizant of the Trayvon Martin events, this mystery set in earlys Arizona will ring so true.
Highly recommended.
And I'm not just saying all that because I'm NUSL '! I received my copy of Stephen Downing is Dead in a Good Reads giveaway.
Stephen Downing is Dead is an engrossing historical fiction set in Arizona territory beginning in the rough and tumble days of the early's.
This is the story of a young man moving west to find his place in life and discovering much more than he had hoped for in some very tense but interesting places.
You are taken back and forth as the story unfolds peeling away the layers of secret lives and burdens carried by friends and lovers alike.
I found this an engaging read with a wonderful historical perspective, I look forward to reading more of Dan Goss Andersons work, See full review sitelinkThe Indigo Quill
A special thank you to NetGalley and Peer Publishing for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
With a title like Stephen Downing is Dead, expectations are automatically set high for Dan Goss Anderson's new novel.
Based in Tuscon at the turn of theth century, Owen Bartlett is an inexperienced defense attorney who has taken on a case that is too big for him to chew.
To make matters worse, the prosecutor has some time under his belt, It is possible they have the wrong man, Tie a threestrand cord of lives together, and you've got Stephen Downing is Dead,
If his readers weren't already hooked by the mysterious title, Anderson grabs a second hold of their attention with the opening line, "Life changes in a moment.
"He then proceeds to leave the reader in the dark while describing a situation that we definitely would like some answers to! This is a historical mystery novel that will keep you turning pages and asking questions until the very end.
Anderson has a sophisticated way of writing that is enjoyable and intriguing, This is one of those books that could easily be made into a movie, That's what it felt like reading it, like watching the story unfold on a filmstrip in front of me.
The characters are interesting enough to where even the minor characters seem to play a major role, and the author is very detailed.
Not in an overlyfluffed, overcompensating kind of way, but tastefully and effectively, May it be noted that the author communicates to the reader that he had every intention of being as historically accurate as possible, but also intended to provide the reader with maximum comprehension.
This is something I can definitely appreciate from the author, Having a sense of purism without compromising efficacy is an admirable quality for an author to possess,
If you're looking for a mystery that is easy to read but still carries rounded content, then this is the book for you.
I generally stay away from legal thrillers because of the sheer implausibility of the plots, but this story was something different.
The story centers around the murder trial of defendant Miguel Cordero in, I got a good feeling for what a trial might have actually been like in Tucson during that time, which was refreshing.
I loved the historical fiction feel of the book, But aside from the main story, the author explores several themes such as the wild west and opportunity, Mexican/American tension, religion and guilt, the role of women and, of course, love.
This book was a much deeper character study than most in the legal genre, It had a nice pace, Most telling is that I am still left with sadness for some of the characters and a desire to be back in their lives.
I received Stephen Downing is Dead through a goodreads giveaway, I was impressed that the author sent me a personal note and signed the book, but this thoughtful gesture had no influence on my critique of his novel.
The story was told in an effortless style that had me entranced, despite the fact that it dealt with murder.
The characters were developed with finesse, including sufficient detail to evoke empathy toward their personal circumstances, The way in which Dan Goss Anderson set up the telling of his tale, alternating between past and present, building curiosity as the trial unfolds and intertwines with the final deathbed confession, held my interest until the final page.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel's quiet sincerity, This was a great book and one I'll recommend to my friends and book club, The story is told by a new defense attorney who encounters challenges in fighting his first case a murder trial.
Dan Anderson's descriptions help one imagine exactly what it would have been like in a courtroomyears ago.
I enjoyed the story and appreciated the way the characters were developed while several mysteries unfolded.
Told in alternating time periods now and back then not only helped add intrigue but gave an interesting look at the beginning of theth century in Arizona.
With the rest of the story always waiting on the very next page, I felt like I couldn't put it down.
Murder, prejudice, ambition, and true love kept this story alive right to the last page of the book.
I appreciate the opportunity to review a free copy of this first read book,
I thought this was a very good book, The characters are very interesting, I was thought I had figured out who did it and I was close, I usually do a pretty good job of getting the perpetrator right but I didn't quite have this one.
Owen is drawn exceptionally well, The situations he finds himself in are well written, I think anyone who enjoys mysteries will enjoy this book, It is well worth the time and money to get it, A great mystery book that keeps the reader interested in the story and the characters, I recommend giving this book a read.
I received this as part of the Goodreads First Reads giveway,
Very enjoyable read with an enticing plot and easy to follow story, I love a good mystery novel and this does not disappoint, While I saw most of the ending toward the middle of the book, it still left me wanting more.
I like how the author wove together the past and the present to tell the story of Owen and Stephen Downing.
Extremely wellwritten, the author gives a detailed account ofth century Arizona and American life, Informative, yet interesting.
Twothumbs up! Fledgling defense attorney Owen Bartlett understands that this murder trial, against a seasoned prosecutor, is way over his head.
Having come west to leave his past behind, he planned to build a new life in this wild, open land.
But with only a law degree from the Boston YMCA and no courtroom experience, he has been roped into defending a man accused of murder.
Now he faces a jury of ranchers, storekeepers, minersmen with little love for Mexicans like Owen's client, Miguel Cordero.
If he fails, Miguel will hang,
Behind Owen is Miguel's wife, Gabby, her future too in Owen's hands, In the rear of the courtroom, the widow Eva Downing listens, her heart in her throat with the secret knowledge that the wrong person has been accused of murdering her husband.
She does not yet know, or care, that this young defense attorney from Boston has already fallen for her.
STEPHEN DOWNING IS DEAD follows the trajectory of three intertwined lives, each shaped by the killing of Stephen Downing and by the trial of his accused murderer.
It's the story of the search for a redemption that seems always just out of reach, a tale of cowardice, ambition, and real love at the dawn of the modern American west.
I'd actually give this/stars! Excellent plot and character development, Secrets that are part of the intrigue, Unique setting, turn of the last century Arizona loved the historical aspects and the portrayal of the Mexican culture! Highly recommend sitelink post a comment.