True Crime

by Andrew Klavan

In the heat of the city, a man is out of speeding in a beat-up Ford Tempo, blasting easy-listening music. Reporter Steve Everett drinks too much, makes love to his boss's wife, and has just stumbled upon a shocking a convicted killer is about to be executed for a crime he didn't commit.

In the cold confines of Death Row, Frank Beachum is also out of time. Ready to say good-bye to the wife and child he loves and hello to the God he still believes in, Beachum knows he did not kill a convenience store clerk six years ago.  But in a few hours—if Steve Everett can't find the evidence to stop it—a needle is going to pierce Frank Beachum's skin.

The killing machine is primed. The executioner is waiting. And so is the priest. Now the clock is ticking down and the race is on—between the reporter and his demons, between the system and its lethal flaws, between the last innocent man and society's ultimate crime. . . .

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Crime, True Crime, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Reference for now:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_K...

Reviews

[Diane Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addictive read! thriller,captivating,enjoyable and an outstandingly written story with some well-developed cast and also good dialogue (paperback!)

[Olga Kowalska (WielkiBuk) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to be totally honest with you - this is one of the most amazing thrillers I have ever read. I will put it in my TOP 5 alongside with "Gone Girl", "Mystic River, "Misery" & "Silence of the Lambs". I am mesmerized, hypnotized, so shocked and amazed that I couldn't speak for a while after I've finished it. I also cried like crazy - this is a MUST READ for every thriller lover out there!

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

WARNING! Once you start this book abandon anything else you plan for your life until you get to the end. One of the best mystery novels I have ever read.

[Mª Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novela negra al estilo de los noventa que fue la década en la que se publicó.

Steve Everett es un periodista de investigación en horas bajas. El periódico en el que trabaja le encarga una entrevista a un condenado a muerte el mismo día en que va a ejecutarse la sentencia. Cuando recaba información para la misma cree detectar incongruencias. Hasta aquí lo que sería la sinopsis.

Mis impresiones

Podríamos diferenciar dos partes en esta novela. Una, la investigación paralela de Everett, la otra el relato de las últimas veinticuatro horas de vida del reo.

Sobre la primera, tengo muchos reparos. Everett, en el transcurso de unas pocas horas va atando cabos, que llama la atención no los viera la policía. Tiene su porqué, pero es un porqué que a mí no me ha convencido del todo y la razón por la que le quito una estrella.

Sobre la narración de cómo transcurren las últimas horas de un condenado a muerte, eso sí me ha tocado la fibra. Independientemente de la postura que se tenga sobre la pena de muerte, es angustioso de principio a fin. La labor de documentación a este respecto ha sido amplia e imagino que para nada agradable.

Los personajes son los típicos de una novela negra de los noventa.
Everett es el clásico periodista autodestructivo. Alcohólico y mujeriego, con buen olfato cuando está sobrio, que acaba buscándose problemas esté donde esté. Añadir un redactor jefe, que no le traga y un director de periódico que le da cierta cancha. Clichés sí, pero bien dibujados y funcionan.
Menos clichés son tanto el alcaide de la prisión, muy humano, como el propio reo y su familia. Lo que sienten, lo que expresan y sus reacciones durante esas horas previas a la ejecución son lo mejor de la novela.

El final bueno y coherente.

[Frederick Heimbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

What fun it was to read this genuine page-turner after months and months of dull have-to reading. My New Year's resolution was to make more time for pleasure reading and this definitely fit the bill. A midnight execution makes for a perfect ticking clock scenario, which is exactly what a thriller needs. This book thrilled. The psychology of the various actors--condemned man, jailers, pastors, journalists--were almost always deep and convincing. I highly recommend this book.

[Marina Fontaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another stellar work from one of my favorite writers. This is probably the only book I've ever read where I knew how it comes out in the end, yet could not put it down. Klavan's understanding of human nature is scary. My favorite moment is when our cynical, grade-A S.O.B. protagonist ponders all the reasons why he should not get involved, then says something like, "Of course I KNEW I had to. I just couldn't think of a reason why, that's all, but I knew." Even before Klavan started writing openly pro-Christian fiction, when he was still firmly in the noir "life-sucks-and-then-you-die" mode, he was already producing gems like this. It's one of those books where you rush to get to the end, then want to read more because you know the author has more to say, and you want to listen.

As an aside, I used to be a huge fan of Clint Eastwood, but after reading this book and finding out that he insisted on changing the condemned man's race to "make it more relevant," I am hard pressed to keep my respect for him as an artist. The whole plot of the story revolves around the accused being white. If you pay attention to how the story comes together, its twists and turns, they just would not happen, beginning to end, without the defendant being white. Boo to Mr. Eastwood. Not to mention he was wrong for the role... Just read the book, enjoy the story as it was meant to be, and forget the movie.

[Manugw · Rating 5 out of 5]

UNFORGETTABLE, A TIME BOMB

The story is about a comdemned man who is in death row and going to be executed for a crime he apparently did not commit. A journalist from a local newspaper wants to help him out and prove that he is innocent, will he find the evidence before this man is executed ?
The plot is terrific, the nail biting tension type mixed with quick action packed suspense. Once I started the book, I could not put it down. The story is so masterly written that I could not forget it so I decided to include it in my listmania.

[ChopinFC · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Wow I genuinely enjoyed this book! It hit all the right spots with a compelling story, significant moments of suspense and a thrilling conclusion! Full RTC.

[Lex Ophiuchus · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the nonstop action of this story. The narrator is comically cynical and perfectly succinct.

My only issue is its staggering sexism.

First: with the protagonist's toxic attitude toward all women. It makes the narrator so unlikeable despite how much I agree with him on many other topics. The way he describes/treats "broads" is utterly cringe-worthy and never redeemed.

Second: with the author's traditional handling of any female character. As it is with many male writers, a woman (no matter her role in the story) is always valued by her connection to a male character. So she's either a sex object (her looks are always the first and most important description), the nagging wife (the actual voice of reason but portrayed as just a bitter nag), an undesirable (which means she's described as either ugly or old right off the bat), or a relative. Although I'm used to these tropes by now, they wildly stood out to me throughout this novel.

Overall, I really did love the plot, dialogue, and pacing of this story. I just wish it didn't feel so "boys' club" to me. It truly did feel like this book catered to the male perspective only.

[Carl Cudmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book with no real expectation at all but turned out to be a great read.
I loved the way the author captured all the emotions and feelings surrounding someone on death row. Innocent or guilty, this book really makes you think about what that process would be like for the inmate, family and even workers as the hours and minutes approach the final stage of this unthinkable process.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was riveting, gut-wrenching and, has deeply impacted me in a way that, when I finished the book, I was speechless and changed.
Frank Beacham was sent to Death Row for a murder he did not commit. The book begins with Frank awakening on what is his scheduled date of execution by lethal injection. Through an act of fate or Providence, a reporter discovers something about the crime that sets off a series of events to get the truth into the hands of someone who will listen...the clock is ticking...only 18 hours left.
This is the first book I've read by Andrew Klavan and I can't wait to read more by this amazing writer!

That said, this book was adapted for a film with Clint Eastwood. As usual, I'm so glad I read the book first. I haven't watched the film yet. I don't think I've ever been so appalled by a change made in a film adaptation as this one. Don't think Hollywood would get away with it in today's culture.

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man this is somehow so good. The main character is such a huge piece of shit but Klavan writes flawed characters so well that for some reason you’re rooting for him? There’s tons of suspense and constant tension. The whole death sentence situation is handled so well. I love Frank. I feel bad for everyone that Everett screws over. Pretty hard to put this one down.

The potato chips!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reporter Steve Everett is not usually the type to turn into an heroic do-gooder overnight - he drinks too much, makes love to his boss' wife, and has just stumbled upon a shocking truth that has him literally fighting the clock. He has just discovered that a convicted killer is about to be executed for a crime he didn't commit. Now an imperfect defender must find a way to stall the ultimate end-game.


In the cold confines of Death Row, Frank Beachum is preparing himself for the end. He's ready to say goodbye to the wife and child he loves and greet the God he still believes in. He knows that he will go into Eternity with a clear conscience, heart and soul; filled with the knowledge that he did not commit the murder of a convenience store clerk six years ago.

But in the interest of justice - unless Steve Everett can find the evidence to halt his execution - Frank Beachum will die by lethal injection. The killing machine is primed; the executioner is waiting and now the battle is on - between the reporter with all his inner demons, and a system with lethal flaws. The prize at the end of this fight will be the life of an innocent man.

I really enjoyed this book so much. I have never seen the movie adaptation of the book, I don't usually like Clint Eastwood, but I would definitely be curious to see how the book is interpreted. True Crime is Grade A+! material to my mind and I can't wait to find more of Andrew Klavan's work to read.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the problems with this book is that you can't say too much about it without giving too much away. Simple plot: a reporter is assigned to cover the execution of a condemned man scheduled to die that night. Klavan really gets inside the characters' heads. Great thriller, fast-paced read, the kind of book you can't put down - skip the movie, read the book instead.

[Cleo Pappas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tension in this book is mind blowing. I was having a hard time breathing through the last pages. Klavan does a good job of documenting the heartbreaking emotions of a man on death row and the grief bordering on insanity of those who love them or deal with them. The book is dark but brilliantly written and worth the reader’s time.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. The last 100 pages were so fast paced I couldn't put it down.

[Rade · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really did not like this book much. I can see that many people did but this did not work for me at all.

It seems like nobody in this book is an actual good person. They cheat, they lie, they are racists, misogynistic, and just overall horrible people. Our main character, the person who we follow throughout the story, cheats on his wife and he is not a good father to his kid (divorce was always hanging above him, which he didn't care about). I don't care that he tries to redeem himself, I still hate him.

Another example, our convict's wife is also racist and seems to just keep hanging on to the fact that this preacher (Flowers I think he's called) is black. He also does not seem to be a good preacher. who am I rooting for? The guy on death row? He also had checkered past. Perhaps I am looking into it too much but I have always stuck to the principal in books where if I hate the character, I will automatically hate the story itself. I can't and refuse to be invested in stories where characters are annoying and one dimensional.

Before I go, there was also a small character called The Pu**y Man who is homeless and his whole shtick was to yell at passersby and ask them "spread some ____ on toast". This could be money, charity, ahm...pu**y, and everything in between. Pretty much whatever he sees another person has on them. This might sound funny to you but to me it came of as annoying and completely dumb in a story about a man on a death row.

[Bob Box · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in 1995. Edge of your seat thriller that graphically portrays the final moments of a death row killer who needs new evidence to clear his name. Suspenseful and intense. One of my favorites that year.

[Myriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐

Una buena historia con sus luces y sus sombras, la parte humana está muy bien contada, la angustia y los miedos del condenado calan.
Sobre la investigación del periodista, ahí tengo un pequeño problema, demasiado fácil, dejando por tierra las pesquisas policiales.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: Frank Beachum is on death row and denies involvement in the death of a pregnant woman. Reporter Steven Everett is his only hope.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 to 4 stars, so 3.5.

It’s difficult to review a book from 1995 when read in 2023… but, overall it kept my attention, and I wanted to see how events would unfold.

[Tom Stamper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Klavan’s reporter, Steve Everett, is a throwback to the kind of cynical newspaper reporter from the Hecht/MacArthur play, Front Page. Although he’s in his mid-30s, he might as well be 70 years old what with all the new blood that wants to use media to change the world. They know he is a good reporter and he can even teach them something, but his lack of enthusiasm for their causes makes him suspect. Everett is also a heel in his personal life, cheating on his wife with the wife of a co-worker. It’s bold of Klavan to make his protagonist this flawed knowing he has to write a story where Everett proves that he is good enough at his job to overcome the audience’s dislike.

The essence here is that a young reporter gets into a terrible accident and winds up in a coma. Everett is asked to cover the interview she was scheduled to do with a man being executed later that night. Everett hadn’t followed the case over the past 6 years so he has one day to get up to speed. During that day he finds some things he doesn’t like about the evidence.

But it’s not just Everett that has flaws. Klavan shows us a lot of warts. Maybe the least flawed character is the death row inmate. He seems more well adjusted than the rest.

You might have seen the Clint Eastwood movie made from this book. I don’t remember it being one of his best, but I’ll probably try to watch it again now that I’ve read the source material. I also be reading more Andrew Klavan.

[Justin Groth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrilling. Recommend to read. It’s good.

[Carmen VdM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wauw, wat een zenuwslopend boek! Wat een moeite had ik met het begin met dit boek maar het einde.. man man man. Blij dat ik doorgepakt heb!

[Griffinstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. A toss up between a 4 and a 5. I read the last 200 pages (2nd half) of the book in a day as it had sucked me in so much.

A very emotional book for me, for whatever reason. The chapter at the Zoo with the 2 year old son Davy was very hard for me to get through in particular. Many scenes had me tearing up.

Klavan does an excellent job of making you feel like you're on death row, watching the clock as your death approaches, and there's nothing you can do. Going along with the motions towards your own death feels like something from The Gulag Archipelago, a real sense of dread and hopelessness.

I shall watch the movie with Clint Eastwood, but I already know it'll be a massive miscast, him casting himself. Dominic West from The Wire I think would be bang on, he is essentially Jimmy McNulty, but as a journalist, not a cop.

[Mike Flinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe the best book I’ve read this year. When I thought I knew how it was going to end, Klavan had me questioning everything. And then I questioned it again, and again. Little details that I had forgotten about early in the book came back in the end to play a huge role. And then I questioned things some more.

This book is written unlike any other I have ever read. The main character is the “author” of the book. If that makes zero sense, I know. I’ll put it this way—this book is a memoir of a journalist who attempted to save an innocent man from death row.

If that makes sense and sounds interesting, read the book. If that doesn’t make sense, read the book. Just read the book.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

At once an indictment of both aspects of the legal system and journalistic sensationalism, True Crime is a hefty dramatic thriller about a journalist, whose life is in shambles, and his attempt to beat the clock and save an innocent man on the day of his execution. This is my first Andrew Klavan novel, but I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more of his work.

Steve Everett, the closest thing we have to a hero, is one of the most despicable and selfish protagonists I've ever come across. He is entirely self-indulgent, and almost refuses to truly face the consequences of his reckless and selfish actions in the book's well-constructed beginning. He indeed embodies the human condition. He continues to sin and indulge his most decadent bodily pleasures, in this case, alcohol, cigarettes, and cheating on his wife. He knows these things are bad, and knows what will happen if he does do them. Yet, he does them anyway. Is this not true of most of us? His quest for personal redemption, disguised as a crusade to free a wrongly imprisoned convict, is moral, but he acts immorally most of the way. It is fitting that he never seems to truly find the redemption and absolution that he so feverishly seeks, but the thought of this completely unlikable guy throwing himself into probably the most moral and selfless act of his life is quite intriguing.

To balance Everett's selfishness, we have Frank Beachum, a very likable and relatable character. He’s as developed and textured as Everett, but his motivations and actions are different. He’s as interesting a character, but for different reasons. The presence and focus of two such different characters, and the equal spotlight for both, makes this book that much more accessible, for we have two protagonists to appeal to the reader. Everett represents the reader’s appetite for a more thrilling, frenetic story, while Beachum’s moments provide insights into love, loss, death, and emotional struggles. Both men’s journeys are deep, and the reader gets two very different characters to choose from.

The story itself is masterfully told, with the constant mounting tension slowly reaching a spectacular, if drawn-out, finale. The scene changes during the climax seemed contrived, and mildly ignored me while I read it, but once I finished I appreciated them more. Klavan challenges the reader to put the book down with each new twist and turn, until the book’s final moments in which he performs the writing equivalent of grabbing the reader’s head and holding their eyes over the pages.

I can easily recommend Truce Crime to drama and thriller fans. It’s enthralling, and will engage even the most casual reader. It also has the best-written car chase since Moonraker.

[Jeff Clausen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slightly over-the-top journalist who does everything to the max is the protagonist that may or may not save the day. The author has done lots of research about the other part of the plot at a death row, much of it really harrowing to contemplate. Add the writer to the condemned and move it along quickly, and you have a very good tale.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really a great read. The pacing is just the slightest bit slow, noted by the fact that it is 300 pages and takes place over the course of a couple of hours. But the author does a great job moving the plot along.

The book flourishes on the juxtaposition of having a despicable hero vindicating the sympathetic but hopeless convict. The typical roles are reversed and it works really well. I've heard Andrew Klavan comment about how villains are usually better characters because they are painted in such a way to be relatable, or deep characters. He gets a great protagonist in this story because he figured out how to get his villain into the role of the hero. It really is brilliant.

His characters are great, the story is intriguing, and the flipping of different perspectives keeps it fresh. There were parts involving the convict and his family that are heartrending and stirred up a great deal of emotion due to my current situation. Often left me in tears.

The language is rough, and it does great service to a Christian author to see a story that has deeply flawed clergy and people of faith at the center, full of fear and self-loathing, and arrogance. I love that. More of this in Christian art would be world changing.

[Stephen McQuiggan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frank Beachum has been convicted of murder and has only a few hours left before his execution. He is scheduled to be interviewed and the job falls to Ev - a man of little morals, a man screwing his boss's wife (again), a man who comes to believe Beachum is innocent. Through the drink and domestic nightmare, can Ev rally himself long enough to save the day? Magnificently paced throughout and crammed full of great cynical dialogue. In the scenes where the characters admit to their own failings, the book's true strengths shine through; The Rev. Flowers testimony of his own, and Christ's, impotence in the death cell is devastatingly real. I'm reluctantly knocking a point off because of the ending - after all that went before it felt like a bit of a cop out.