Terry Shames THE TROUBLING DEATH OF MADDIE BENSON

 4* Modern-day, small town USA at its worse, makes for an excellent tale.


This is my first book by this author, which is told from the POV of the local police chief, Samuel. It's an excellent story with excellent detective work that brings the explanations alive and makes you believe that this very well could happen in small-town USA with the way US laws on abortion have changed. Tbh, some characters, including the family of a so-called (Baptist) minister, show the country at its worst, believably so, and at the same time, certain parishioners who're true Christians, show it at its best. I think I take so much for granted with the life and employment freedoms in the UK that it's always a shocker to read how little freedom and protections there are in the supposed land of the free. And I liked that the author spoke up about SCOTUS and how, sadly, it's gotten to where it is today, the awful effects of MAGA infiltrating the uneducated masses, and the hypocrisy of the so-called religious arm. 


Anyway, that aside, whilst the lead character lacks charisma and modern-day tech skills, his old-school training helps him solve the case, which is actually a sad one. I didn't need to like him or see him in my mind's eye to appreciate and get into the tale. 


There were some family dynamics that created the crime scenario but some were just filler that didn't get a proper explanation. Still, the latter didn't spoil the tale and make me want to read more of this guy's cases. And to see the US under a new female president. 


ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Severn House, for my reading pleasure. 

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