No one can change the sound of an echo.

I have never read a John Grisham book. (“Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”)  More than once my sister Sharee has told me they’re entertaining reads.  This I believe.  Give me some popped corn in front of a remotely big screen and Grisham proves entertaining.  Because my time is scarce like awesome political candidates, I want to read the exceptional stuff. I want to read books with staying power.  

That was the idealist in me talking.  Lately, I’m so tired and spent that I quieted my inner book snob, and looked for a simple escape.  Yes, I said escape.  As in, “to get away from a place where you’re being held or kept; to get away from something that is difficult or unpleasant.”  When I discovered The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens, I said to myself, “oh why not?” Besides it was touted as “compulsively suspenseful”—even noted it on the cover.  

The Life We Bury did its job. I escaped to Minnesota of all places.  It shouldn’t be a surprise that I was drawn in by a student, Joe Talbert, who took a college writing assignment to heart.  His assignment morphs into an investigation of a not-so-cold case.  Eskens, a lawyer by day, writer by night, created a nice piece of storytelling with depth.  He penned some nice lines too.  And I found myself reading one more skinny chapter despite heavy lids.  Something tells me Grisham fans will love this book (that includes you Sharee).  At the end of the read, I can say it was just what I needed—but I am so looking forward to picking up Girl at War!

Posted by Tracy