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The Green Line
Abby Donovan’s decade-long dream of partnership at her prestigious Chicago law firm is just months from fruition. But it’s all about to change because of one misstep.
One step onto a late-night train headed in the wrong direction. Headed into Chicago’s west side, where gangs and violence and drugs fill the streets.
In this engaging debut, E.C. Diskin, a former Chicago attorney, takes us on a fast-paced thrill ride with a believable and flawed heroine. Readers will relate to her, fear for her, and get a glimpse inside Chicago’s best and worst. From the roughest streets of the west side to the estates of the North Shore, Abby Donovan and the unexpected villains of The Green Line will keep you turning pages late into the night as they shine light on a little-known, often-used, and widely-abused legal maneuver.
One step onto a late-night train headed in the wrong direction. Headed into Chicago’s west side, where gangs and violence and drugs fill the streets.
In this engaging debut, E.C. Diskin, a former Chicago attorney, takes us on a fast-paced thrill ride with a believable and flawed heroine. Readers will relate to her, fear for her, and get a glimpse inside Chicago’s best and worst. From the roughest streets of the west side to the estates of the North Shore, Abby Donovan and the unexpected villains of The Green Line will keep you turning pages late into the night as they shine light on a little-known, often-used, and widely-abused legal maneuver.
332 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2013
About the author
E.C. Diskin
5 books317 followersE.C. Diskin studied Radio/TV/Film and English in Texas (TCU), moved to New York to dance with a tap dance company in Soho, and finally became "an adult" when she moved to Chicago for law school. But after several years behind a desk, a drawer full of story ideas, and two little ones at home, she took a break from the law and began writing fiction. Fortunately, the fantasy of living a creative life became reality with the success of her debut legal thriller, The Green Line. Her second, Broken Grace, ventured into psych thrillers. Her third, Depth of Lies, dove into the veneers and secrets behind the closed doors of suburbia, and her latest, Desperate Paths, centers on one small town’s unraveling as secrets, lies, sex, guns, and extremists collide.
When she's not writing, designing spaces, or building furniture, she practices a little law on the side.
For more information, check out www.ecdiskin.com
Connect with Diskin at www.facebook.com/ECDiskin
When she's not writing, designing spaces, or building furniture, she practices a little law on the side.
For more information, check out www.ecdiskin.com
Connect with Diskin at www.facebook.com/ECDiskin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
August 6, 2019
If you can't trust the police, who can you trust?
A thrilling debut that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
She wasn’t from Chicago. Everyone she knew lived north of the Loop, along the lake, where the city was vibrant, full of restaurants, boutiques, and chain stores, and where she’d always felt relatively safe. All Abby had ever been told of the area west of the Loop was, “You don’t want to go there.” Last week’s front-page story in the Tribune had highlighted this fact. The article, which described how Chicago had regained its dubious distinction as the nation’s murder capital, having reached six hundred murders in 2003, illustrated where these deaths occurred, using red dots and a grid of the city. At the time, Abby had felt great relief. Her neighborhood had just two red dots. She had never been to any of the heavy red-dot areas, and she saw no reason why she ever would.
This train was headed into the heaviest red-dot zone. Her mother’s warnings about the dangers of a big city began filling her head. She thought of the pepper spray her mother sent her years ago, which she’d laughed at, thrown in the kitchen junk drawer, and never touched again.
********
*Audiobook review*
The Green Line is the third novel that I've listened to on audiobook by E.C. Diskin and it didn't dissapoint!
The storyline is gripping and compelling, with danger lurking around every corner there is little time to let your guard down before the next twist throws everything we thought was happening into a new direction entirely.
As the story unfolds, we learn more and more about Abby whose life is not as straight forward as it seems. There are many multifaceted characters that pulled me in and kept me engaged and wanting to find out what happens in the end.
I was surprised when I discovered that this is the author's debut novel as I enjoyed it much better than another of her books, Depth of Lies, which I listened to on audiobook in December, 2017. I went on to listen to Broken Grace in January, 2018 and while it remains my favorite of the three this one is the clear and strong second. I should mention that all three audiobooks had different narrators.
Narrator, Jeff Cummings, kept the pace up without unnecessary pauses or breaks in the flow of the story but was a bit put off by the voices her used for many of the characters so I would recommend reading the book over this audiobook edition.
Having said that, the narration wasn't bad enough to keep me from listening to the entire audiobook, for if it had been, I'd be writing a review of the printed edition and not the audiobook.
Overall, I'm rating the book 4★'s as I really enjoyed E.C. Diskin's book.
Jeff Cummings's narration performance earns him 4★'s.
A thrilling debut that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
She wasn’t from Chicago. Everyone she knew lived north of the Loop, along the lake, where the city was vibrant, full of restaurants, boutiques, and chain stores, and where she’d always felt relatively safe. All Abby had ever been told of the area west of the Loop was, “You don’t want to go there.” Last week’s front-page story in the Tribune had highlighted this fact. The article, which described how Chicago had regained its dubious distinction as the nation’s murder capital, having reached six hundred murders in 2003, illustrated where these deaths occurred, using red dots and a grid of the city. At the time, Abby had felt great relief. Her neighborhood had just two red dots. She had never been to any of the heavy red-dot areas, and she saw no reason why she ever would.
This train was headed into the heaviest red-dot zone. Her mother’s warnings about the dangers of a big city began filling her head. She thought of the pepper spray her mother sent her years ago, which she’d laughed at, thrown in the kitchen junk drawer, and never touched again.
********
*Audiobook review*
The Green Line is the third novel that I've listened to on audiobook by E.C. Diskin and it didn't dissapoint!
The storyline is gripping and compelling, with danger lurking around every corner there is little time to let your guard down before the next twist throws everything we thought was happening into a new direction entirely.
As the story unfolds, we learn more and more about Abby whose life is not as straight forward as it seems. There are many multifaceted characters that pulled me in and kept me engaged and wanting to find out what happens in the end.
I was surprised when I discovered that this is the author's debut novel as I enjoyed it much better than another of her books, Depth of Lies, which I listened to on audiobook in December, 2017. I went on to listen to Broken Grace in January, 2018 and while it remains my favorite of the three this one is the clear and strong second. I should mention that all three audiobooks had different narrators.
Narrator, Jeff Cummings, kept the pace up without unnecessary pauses or breaks in the flow of the story but was a bit put off by the voices her used for many of the characters so I would recommend reading the book over this audiobook edition.
Having said that, the narration wasn't bad enough to keep me from listening to the entire audiobook, for if it had been, I'd be writing a review of the printed edition and not the audiobook.
Overall, I'm rating the book 4★'s as I really enjoyed E.C. Diskin's book.
Jeff Cummings's narration performance earns him 4★'s.
April 24, 2019
an outstanding read ... many characters and story lines are woven into a tense page-turner ... especially good for a first novel
the story focuses on bad cops in Chicago and it is revolting to think how much may be based on truth
not perfect ... but the problems are small and inconsequential to the overall enjoyment
the story focuses on bad cops in Chicago and it is revolting to think how much may be based on truth
not perfect ... but the problems are small and inconsequential to the overall enjoyment
March 11, 2014
I'm Smarter after Reading "The Green Line"
There's a popular saying among those who teach writing—"Write what you know." E. C. Diskin has taken her skills as a lawyer and nicely crafted them into the telling of Abby Donovan's story. She teaches us about a law that may motivate corruption within the social services we depend on. She walks us through the routines of being a lawyer—something we rarely experience. She uses this to dig our protagonist deeper and deeper into conflict until we truly can't see how she will succeed.
The story starts off with a nail biting incident that sets the story in motion, pulling Abby away from her pressure packed but successful carrier. Abby struggles to find logic in all that is happening around her, and she fears her career is about to pay. But she doesn't allow herself to forget what she has witnessed and what she has learned about it. The lawyer in her searches for answers, many of which she is unprepared for.
The Green Line gets 5 stars not only for the story itself, but also for its success in this highly competitive industry of literature. This debut novel has risen from an unknown, self-published piece of work into a title that currently sits on Amazon's Best Seller lists. With a strong tale, and the determination to work it through the many roadblocks that cause most new writers to fail; E. C. Diskin provides us all with an inspiring success story.
There's a popular saying among those who teach writing—"Write what you know." E. C. Diskin has taken her skills as a lawyer and nicely crafted them into the telling of Abby Donovan's story. She teaches us about a law that may motivate corruption within the social services we depend on. She walks us through the routines of being a lawyer—something we rarely experience. She uses this to dig our protagonist deeper and deeper into conflict until we truly can't see how she will succeed.
The story starts off with a nail biting incident that sets the story in motion, pulling Abby away from her pressure packed but successful carrier. Abby struggles to find logic in all that is happening around her, and she fears her career is about to pay. But she doesn't allow herself to forget what she has witnessed and what she has learned about it. The lawyer in her searches for answers, many of which she is unprepared for.
The Green Line gets 5 stars not only for the story itself, but also for its success in this highly competitive industry of literature. This debut novel has risen from an unknown, self-published piece of work into a title that currently sits on Amazon's Best Seller lists. With a strong tale, and the determination to work it through the many roadblocks that cause most new writers to fail; E. C. Diskin provides us all with an inspiring success story.
May 11, 2015
The eponymous Green Line (what was formerly known as the Lake Street L) passes through a checkerboard of depressed neighborhoods collectively called the “westside.” These are the kinds of neighborhoods where an attractive, dressed-for-success, twenty something female will attract the wrong kind of attention when wandering the streets at midnight. Yet, that's where Abby Donovan, finds herself after she boards the wrong train and promptly dozes off. She awakens to the taunts of some leering gangbangers and flees the train only to wander into Reggie's Bar and Grill, a dilapidated drinking den of crumbling plaster and makeshift plywood where a stranger is quickly assessed as either predator or prey. Ominously, everyone has cleared out. Abby then stumbles into more trouble. She finds a murdered prostitute's body in the rest room. That's only the beginning of her problems.
Abbie is on the partner track at a high-powered downtown law office, the kind that expects its associates' encounters with the police to be on behalf of well-heeled clients; the kind that expects its young associates to return home only for a shower and a quick nap. Needless to say, this incident isn't part of Abby's career plan. That glitch pales, however, compared to the impending threat to her life.
Author E.C. Diskin in this debut novel has written a gripping thriller drawing on conspiracy, corruption, drugs, forfeiture law, and murder. What I loved about this book was her evocation of Chicago. The wind whipping off Lake Michigan; the elegant Drake Hotel at the gateway to the “Magnificent Mile”; distinctive neighborhoods like Rogers Park and Wrigleyville; Cellular Field (formerly Comiskey Park), Clark Street and the Outer Drive are all here.
This is a plot driven novel. There are unlikely coincidences, one-dimensional characters and melodramatic situations. Nevertheless, the book is fresh, fast-paced and entertaining. It's perfect for the beach or airport, and just what I needed after a stretch of some heavy-duty reading. Highly recommended for anyone familiar with Chicago.
NOTES:
The material about forfeiture law was particularly interesting. A NEW YORKER article discussed it in the context of traffic stops, http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/201.... Diskin's book delves into abuse of the law on a much larger scale.
Abbie is on the partner track at a high-powered downtown law office, the kind that expects its associates' encounters with the police to be on behalf of well-heeled clients; the kind that expects its young associates to return home only for a shower and a quick nap. Needless to say, this incident isn't part of Abby's career plan. That glitch pales, however, compared to the impending threat to her life.
Author E.C. Diskin in this debut novel has written a gripping thriller drawing on conspiracy, corruption, drugs, forfeiture law, and murder. What I loved about this book was her evocation of Chicago. The wind whipping off Lake Michigan; the elegant Drake Hotel at the gateway to the “Magnificent Mile”; distinctive neighborhoods like Rogers Park and Wrigleyville; Cellular Field (formerly Comiskey Park), Clark Street and the Outer Drive are all here.
This is a plot driven novel. There are unlikely coincidences, one-dimensional characters and melodramatic situations. Nevertheless, the book is fresh, fast-paced and entertaining. It's perfect for the beach or airport, and just what I needed after a stretch of some heavy-duty reading. Highly recommended for anyone familiar with Chicago.
NOTES:
The material about forfeiture law was particularly interesting. A NEW YORKER article discussed it in the context of traffic stops, http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/201.... Diskin's book delves into abuse of the law on a much larger scale.
February 5, 2017
A debut legal thriller that delivers. Abby Donovan is an associate at a prestigious law firm in Chicago working 80+ hour weeks on her quest to become partner, when she accidentally takes the Green Line train on her way home. Stranded in gritty west Chicago, she stumbles on a horrific crime that changes her life. Unable to forget the gangs, drugs, or violence, she reconnects with the good samaritan immigrant who rescued her that night and helps him defend himself against unjust charges brought by the local police force. When the good samaritan ends up dead a few days later, the apparent shooter in a murder-suicide, Abby doesn’t believe the official story. She turns her back on her career and teams up with an undercover cop to expose a crime ring involving police brutality, bribery, theft, and murder.
What I loved most about The Green Line was the legal expertise E.C. Diskin brought to the page. A lawyer by trade, Diskin skillfully wove in a fascinating backstory of questionable government property seizure and showed how fine the line is—a line most of us take for granted in our safe, middle-class lives—between being on the right and wrong side of the law, a line that can be crossed as easily as taking a different train into a world not our own. I found this book especially illuminating in the dawn of 2017, when the structures of our legal system are being ordered to divide and “protect” us in ways that feel less like protection and more like protectionist garbage. It seems like the time to learn more about our justice system, and E.C. Diskin turns the job into a thrilling ride where, yes (spoiler alert), the crooked guys get it in the end.
What I loved most about The Green Line was the legal expertise E.C. Diskin brought to the page. A lawyer by trade, Diskin skillfully wove in a fascinating backstory of questionable government property seizure and showed how fine the line is—a line most of us take for granted in our safe, middle-class lives—between being on the right and wrong side of the law, a line that can be crossed as easily as taking a different train into a world not our own. I found this book especially illuminating in the dawn of 2017, when the structures of our legal system are being ordered to divide and “protect” us in ways that feel less like protection and more like protectionist garbage. It seems like the time to learn more about our justice system, and E.C. Diskin turns the job into a thrilling ride where, yes (spoiler alert), the crooked guys get it in the end.
August 15, 2013
I've waited a couple of days before I wrote this review but I haven't changed my mind: this was just ok. At first, I didn't think Abby was engaging but thought she became a stronger character towards the end; same with Marcus. Although, after I read each of their "stories", I liked each of the characters much better. I did think all the "timing" was a bit fortuitous; especially the hotel scene and the final scene with Trip. I'm not sure if this is the beginning of a series or not but I'm not sure I would continue with it. Unfortunately, for me, it wasn't one of those books I just couldn't put down.
October 27, 2013
A great first effort. Plotting is first-rate. Some characters are bit shallow and predictable; the bad guy a bit too through-and-through bad, but I expect that Diskin's 2nd novel will show substantial improvement. Still a fun and fast read and perfect to knock out in a single weekend - like the ExPats, if you've read it.
October 26, 2017
4 Stars
I've been on a roll! The last several books I've read have been very good. Maybe, it's because the last three have been E. C. Diskin. Reading each of her three thrillers has been a unique experience, they are not just variations of the same book.
SYNOPSIS
Abby is an attorney on the partner track with a large Chicago firm. She is over worked, overwhelmed and over tired when she accidentally gets on the wrong train heading home from a late night at the office. About fifteen minutes into her ride, she looks up and realizes that instead of heading to her comfortable Wrigleyville townhouse, she is quickly headed to the wrong part of Chicago. After a group of men, who look like gang members, notice and start to harass her, she decides to exit the train. This turns out to be a life changingly bad idea. The story follows the fallout from that horrible night and how it effects Abby's life.
WHAT I LOVED
There was a lot to love in this book. I have to say my favorite part was the plot itself. I liked the premise; a sheltered young woman experiencing a life changing night when she accidentally takes the wrong train and ends up alone in a rough neighborhood.
I loved the setting; Chicago in the winter. Diskin did such a great job describing it, I could almost feel that cold 'lake effect' wind blowing in my face! I loved her vibrant descriptions of life in the city.
The plot plot brings up several thought provoking questions:
* What happens when one steps outside their comfort zone and experiences a side of life they would never would otherwise be exposed to?
* Would you have the courage to act when you see another person being treated unfairly? Even if it put you in danger?
* What matters more, professional success or personal happiness?
Diskin introduced a wide range of characters, both good and bad from various backgrounds, professions and income levels. Some of the characters looked good on the outside but were not good people at all and some looked rough at first glance but ended up being very respectable, gracious people.
The plot moved at a quick pace so I never became bored. It included just the right amount of description and detail within being too wordy.
WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE
There were times when Abby, who generally came across as a very intelligent woman, made uncharacteristically stupid moves or missed cues that seemed pretty obvious. Maybe it could be chalked up to naivety, but it was inconsistent with her character and bothered me.
OVERALL
This is a very well-written, engrossing thriller. I highly recommend it for fans of this genre.
I've been on a roll! The last several books I've read have been very good. Maybe, it's because the last three have been E. C. Diskin. Reading each of her three thrillers has been a unique experience, they are not just variations of the same book.
SYNOPSIS
Abby is an attorney on the partner track with a large Chicago firm. She is over worked, overwhelmed and over tired when she accidentally gets on the wrong train heading home from a late night at the office. About fifteen minutes into her ride, she looks up and realizes that instead of heading to her comfortable Wrigleyville townhouse, she is quickly headed to the wrong part of Chicago. After a group of men, who look like gang members, notice and start to harass her, she decides to exit the train. This turns out to be a life changingly bad idea. The story follows the fallout from that horrible night and how it effects Abby's life.
WHAT I LOVED
There was a lot to love in this book. I have to say my favorite part was the plot itself. I liked the premise; a sheltered young woman experiencing a life changing night when she accidentally takes the wrong train and ends up alone in a rough neighborhood.
I loved the setting; Chicago in the winter. Diskin did such a great job describing it, I could almost feel that cold 'lake effect' wind blowing in my face! I loved her vibrant descriptions of life in the city.
The plot plot brings up several thought provoking questions:
* What happens when one steps outside their comfort zone and experiences a side of life they would never would otherwise be exposed to?
* Would you have the courage to act when you see another person being treated unfairly? Even if it put you in danger?
* What matters more, professional success or personal happiness?
Diskin introduced a wide range of characters, both good and bad from various backgrounds, professions and income levels. Some of the characters looked good on the outside but were not good people at all and some looked rough at first glance but ended up being very respectable, gracious people.
The plot moved at a quick pace so I never became bored. It included just the right amount of description and detail within being too wordy.
WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE
There were times when Abby, who generally came across as a very intelligent woman, made uncharacteristically stupid moves or missed cues that seemed pretty obvious. Maybe it could be chalked up to naivety, but it was inconsistent with her character and bothered me.
OVERALL
This is a very well-written, engrossing thriller. I highly recommend it for fans of this genre.
June 9, 2013
This book is why people with experience in criminal law should be the ones to write books about criminal law. We've go plenty of books and TV shows written by people who are interested in law, but don't truly understand it. Analysts have said Casey Anthony may have gotten away with murder because the jurors claimed that, while they were thoroughly convinced she did it, they didn't think that "beyond a shadow of doubt" had been met. Folks, correctly it's a reasonable doubt.
Read Diskin's book and you will walk away with correct information on this procedure and a fascinating story, which just goes to show that accurate law is actually more enthralling than the made-up laws and procedures used to sell tale by people with less interesting stories to tell.
Read Diskin's book and you will walk away with correct information on this procedure and a fascinating story, which just goes to show that accurate law is actually more enthralling than the made-up laws and procedures used to sell tale by people with less interesting stories to tell.
February 11, 2016
I really liked another book by this author called Broken Grace so I thought I would give this one a try. The book started off really well, I got into it right away and continued so through half the book approximately. It started to slow down quite a bit and not only that I became annoyed with how careless and nonchalant Abby became but yet she was so scared. Example: when she went to Einstein Bagel to pick up some lunch while they were pretty much breaking and entering to gather information on someone. Yeah let's just leisurely get some lunch. Ummm ok. It didn't exactly fit. What I did like is how it took place in Chicago and the location names they used, I recognized. Overall, a decent book.
May 24, 2013
What a great find! I've been searching for a legal thriller and discovered a gem. Diskin keeps you perched on the edge of your seat with a fast-paced, compelling novel centered on a fascinating legal issue that begs for exposure. The characters are memorable, the story line fascinating, and the suspense non-stop. I loved the brilliant ending and could not put it down. A definite must read for any summer reading list!
August 24, 2017
Love this author..never disappoints me. Again, we find ourselves intrigued in the lives of people who get themselves involved. Abby is a lawyer, gets on the wrong train to go home late at night and finds herself in the worst of neighborhoods.
Not only does she witness a murder but she becomes involved with corruption, drugs, gangs which lead to her own fear of her safety. Her work suffers and she doesnt know who to trust. Along comes an undercover cop who together decide to uncover this mass scam going on nearly getting killed themselves
Page turner for sure.....
Not only does she witness a murder but she becomes involved with corruption, drugs, gangs which lead to her own fear of her safety. Her work suffers and she doesnt know who to trust. Along comes an undercover cop who together decide to uncover this mass scam going on nearly getting killed themselves
Page turner for sure.....
April 30, 2018
I have become such a fan of E.C. Diskin!! What a coincidence that the first book I read by this author took place where I grew up in Southwest lower Michigan. And this book takes place where I live now, Chicago!! Have to give five stars for tackling race, police brutality and suspense in a very thoughtful yet heart pounding way. I wish this was book one to a series actually as I was quite attached to the characters. I also appreciate and applaud the author for adding relatable and diverse characters. We need more of that in this genre in my opinion.
September 8, 2013
Bravo E.C. Diskin! I won this book in a Goodreads give away...and it has a little bit of everything...Lawyers, good cops & bad cops..drugs, murder...love...and a part of the law that you don't hear much about. The characters are well developed...and the author did a remarkable job of making you hate the antagonist, while the main character is so likeable. A good look at how one misstep can change your life forever! Definitely a must read!
May 5, 2014
The Green Line is an okay mystery, I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. The plot moves along and writing is decent. The main character is supposed to be a smart attorney but she does some astonishingly stupid things that just serve to move the plot along. My ability to suspend disbelief was certainly stretched. This would have been a decent beach read I guess - it's not challenging and won't force the reader to think too hard but is paced well and wraps up with a tidy bow on top.
April 27, 2021
Great read!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and thought it had great characters, a great plot, believable dialogue and was a well told story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and thought it had great characters, a great plot, believable dialogue and was a well told story.
October 6, 2016
Having read Broken Grace first, I was expecting another psychological suspense novel. The Green Line is actually in a completely different genre (legal/criminal), but is inspiring in that Diskin not only knows her stuff (she has a history practicing law), but is clearly impassioned about the issue of illegal police seizures of property.
What I absolutely LOVED about the book was that the main character, Abby, made ethics her priority knowing that her employment might very well suffer. As a counselor, I respect this so much... Working in organizations such as schools, I'm often "directed" to "overlook" student issues so as not to bring negative attention to the school. I once opened a formal complaint against a school for violating a student's civil rights; I of course brought the issue to admin many times before taking this step, and was told that it was too bad I couldn't return to graduate school for more training. I responded that I didn't need extra training to figure out that administration telling a 10-year-old child who identified as homosexual that the reason he was being beat up daily was his own fault because he was "too flamboyant" was discrimination. Needless to say, I had to go through union to be rehired the next year, as every time I brought in a copy of my contract, it got "lost."
Anyway, both of Diskin's books have movie potential (although I personally prefer reading because you become intimately connected to the characters, and I don't like to share my friends)! I have to admit that every now and then during The Green Line I did think I heard the Law and Order "ding-ding" sound...and then I realized it was my text notification download (but every time I hear it I have to take off my glasses, look at my imaginary notes, stand, and ask, "Permission to approach the bench?") Even my students have the routine down, and almost none of us wear glasses (I wear them on days I'll be seeing kids who are shy about wearing their glasses).
Sorry--my train of thought always gets lost somewhere around Hogwarts. I was once talking to a 38-year-old in an 8-year-old body (i.e., really smart kid), and she was telling me that she was just really fed up at home and "needed a break." Not knowing when to keep my mouth shut, I said, "I understand. When I was your age I wanted to go to boarding school because I thought things would be easier." "What's boarding school?" She asked. "Well, it's where kids go away to school--kind of like Hogwarts." Unfortunately, she was then called to the office to leave for a dentist appointment, so I didn't get a chance to finish explaining how even Hogwarts has its issues, and you STILL have to go back home (I DO have a plan during sessions!). The next morning I got a call from a confused mother asking why her daughter was suddenly requesting a luggage set for her birthday, as well as a long-term hamster-sitter. Oops.
Back on the rail now--promise. So, in Diskin's book Abby finds herself by accident: she meets Ali, a man who helps her when she fears for her life, and in turn she helps him--and learns there is a city full of innocent people like Ali, who are being targeted by rogue police. And when Abby comes face to face with the huge "thug" who chased her from a murder scene into Ali's store, her whole life flips upside down.
This book, set shortly after 9/11, deals beautifully with our prejudices, our ingrained (and usually unfounded) fears, and the grey area that exists between "good" and "bad." The sentiments echoed in this book are still relevant today, and we'd be wise to read with an open mind...
What I absolutely LOVED about the book was that the main character, Abby, made ethics her priority knowing that her employment might very well suffer. As a counselor, I respect this so much... Working in organizations such as schools, I'm often "directed" to "overlook" student issues so as not to bring negative attention to the school. I once opened a formal complaint against a school for violating a student's civil rights; I of course brought the issue to admin many times before taking this step, and was told that it was too bad I couldn't return to graduate school for more training. I responded that I didn't need extra training to figure out that administration telling a 10-year-old child who identified as homosexual that the reason he was being beat up daily was his own fault because he was "too flamboyant" was discrimination. Needless to say, I had to go through union to be rehired the next year, as every time I brought in a copy of my contract, it got "lost."
Anyway, both of Diskin's books have movie potential (although I personally prefer reading because you become intimately connected to the characters, and I don't like to share my friends)! I have to admit that every now and then during The Green Line I did think I heard the Law and Order "ding-ding" sound...and then I realized it was my text notification download (but every time I hear it I have to take off my glasses, look at my imaginary notes, stand, and ask, "Permission to approach the bench?") Even my students have the routine down, and almost none of us wear glasses (I wear them on days I'll be seeing kids who are shy about wearing their glasses).
Sorry--my train of thought always gets lost somewhere around Hogwarts. I was once talking to a 38-year-old in an 8-year-old body (i.e., really smart kid), and she was telling me that she was just really fed up at home and "needed a break." Not knowing when to keep my mouth shut, I said, "I understand. When I was your age I wanted to go to boarding school because I thought things would be easier." "What's boarding school?" She asked. "Well, it's where kids go away to school--kind of like Hogwarts." Unfortunately, she was then called to the office to leave for a dentist appointment, so I didn't get a chance to finish explaining how even Hogwarts has its issues, and you STILL have to go back home (I DO have a plan during sessions!). The next morning I got a call from a confused mother asking why her daughter was suddenly requesting a luggage set for her birthday, as well as a long-term hamster-sitter. Oops.
Back on the rail now--promise. So, in Diskin's book Abby finds herself by accident: she meets Ali, a man who helps her when she fears for her life, and in turn she helps him--and learns there is a city full of innocent people like Ali, who are being targeted by rogue police. And when Abby comes face to face with the huge "thug" who chased her from a murder scene into Ali's store, her whole life flips upside down.
This book, set shortly after 9/11, deals beautifully with our prejudices, our ingrained (and usually unfounded) fears, and the grey area that exists between "good" and "bad." The sentiments echoed in this book are still relevant today, and we'd be wise to read with an open mind...
June 16, 2017
Reviewing the whispersync audio version...
I'm going to rate the novel 4.5 stars but the audio version I can't give higher than a 3 because I just don't think this narrator was a good fit. The voices of several of the main characters didn't ring true. Granted the bad guy was a psychopath, everything you said was a little too nursery rhyme, sing-songy. And I really couldn't reconcile the voice of Marcus with the character Marcus. It came across as high pitch and like the cadence was off everything he said sounded more formal than cool? I don't know if this is really making any sense, it's kind of hard to explain but I feel like if the narrator were different The characters would've come across as more authentic and the more authentic the characters the more engrossing and enjoyable the story would be.
I listen to several audiobooks per week and I'm coming to find that most of the best voice actors are the ones that I don't even notice because I'm so drawn into the story.
I hope this review doesn't turn anyone off from reading this novel, because I feel like I'm being picky. This story gave me lots of feelings...there were times that I was really angry and even a time or two where I may or may not have cried real tears ;-)
So far this author has been two for two with me. I can't wait until her next book is published!
I'm going to rate the novel 4.5 stars but the audio version I can't give higher than a 3 because I just don't think this narrator was a good fit. The voices of several of the main characters didn't ring true. Granted the bad guy was a psychopath, everything you said was a little too nursery rhyme, sing-songy. And I really couldn't reconcile the voice of Marcus with the character Marcus. It came across as high pitch and like the cadence was off everything he said sounded more formal than cool? I don't know if this is really making any sense, it's kind of hard to explain but I feel like if the narrator were different The characters would've come across as more authentic and the more authentic the characters the more engrossing and enjoyable the story would be.
I listen to several audiobooks per week and I'm coming to find that most of the best voice actors are the ones that I don't even notice because I'm so drawn into the story.
I hope this review doesn't turn anyone off from reading this novel, because I feel like I'm being picky. This story gave me lots of feelings...there were times that I was really angry and even a time or two where I may or may not have cried real tears ;-)
So far this author has been two for two with me. I can't wait until her next book is published!
August 10, 2014
I didn't think I would like this book. I was leery of how the West Side of Chicago, a notoriously under-served area with a largely African American population, would be portrayed by E. C. Diskin. I was pleasantly surprised by her skill as a writer. Though she comes far from this community she did an admirable job of making you feel as though you were actually there walking around in that neighborhood.
I've ridden the Green Line and can only imagine the fear that would sweep over someone not from the West Side, if they were forced to get out at a stop far from where they wanted to depart from the train. This feeling of uncertainly was captured well in this novel.
Apart from those types of believable specifics she rendered so palpably, the character development was very good. As a fellow author, I was truly inspired by her pacing.
This is one of the best books in this genre I've read in a long time. I love psychological thrillers and "The Green Line" fits comfortably there, as well as in other genres for which it is better known. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down. That is a testament to a really good read, particularly coming from a writer.
I've ridden the Green Line and can only imagine the fear that would sweep over someone not from the West Side, if they were forced to get out at a stop far from where they wanted to depart from the train. This feeling of uncertainly was captured well in this novel.
Apart from those types of believable specifics she rendered so palpably, the character development was very good. As a fellow author, I was truly inspired by her pacing.
This is one of the best books in this genre I've read in a long time. I love psychological thrillers and "The Green Line" fits comfortably there, as well as in other genres for which it is better known. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down. That is a testament to a really good read, particularly coming from a writer.
February 9, 2018
Good read
Abby is an attorney in Chicago. One night after working late she gets on the wrong train to go home. She's exhausted and falls asleep for a few minutes only to realize her mistake when she wakes. A couple thugs begin to harass her and she gets off at the next stop. Her cell phone is dead, it's raining and she looks for a place open to use the phone. She comes to a shady, hole in the wall bar and enters. Things then go from bad to worse.
This was a story I found very interesting all the way through. The main character, Abby, was a bit of a scatterbrain and made a lot of bad choices. She was also a bit of a doormat, allowing a male co-worker to constantly refer to her as "babe". I wanted her to speak up but that never happened. Surprisingly, I did find her likable most of the time.
I would have liked it better had some of the supporting characters been developed more as they seemed really interesting and likable.
I would recommend this book. 3 1\2 stars, I rounded it up to 4.
Abby is an attorney in Chicago. One night after working late she gets on the wrong train to go home. She's exhausted and falls asleep for a few minutes only to realize her mistake when she wakes. A couple thugs begin to harass her and she gets off at the next stop. Her cell phone is dead, it's raining and she looks for a place open to use the phone. She comes to a shady, hole in the wall bar and enters. Things then go from bad to worse.
This was a story I found very interesting all the way through. The main character, Abby, was a bit of a scatterbrain and made a lot of bad choices. She was also a bit of a doormat, allowing a male co-worker to constantly refer to her as "babe". I wanted her to speak up but that never happened. Surprisingly, I did find her likable most of the time.
I would have liked it better had some of the supporting characters been developed more as they seemed really interesting and likable.
I would recommend this book. 3 1\2 stars, I rounded it up to 4.
May 31, 2014
I really enjoyed The Green Line. It is a book that makes you begin to think about life around you. Are you safe? Can you trust your neighbor, the policeman that patrols your neighborhood? And just what will some people do for money and stature in the community and with family? It becomes difficult to separate the good from the bad. Your expectations of receiving help when needed may now be blurred. Abby, the main character in the book, is an attorney working hard to become a partner in her firm and giving up all semblance of a personal life. When taking the wrong train throws her in the midst of drug dealers, murder, and a corrupt police force she struggles to find the good people she thought were there for her. She soon finds the few she can trust and together they work to weed out the corrupt and take on the plight of the poor. You watch her life change as her personal values become more important than just a job and money. An enjoyable few hours of reading!
November 9, 2013
Not the kind of book I usually pick up, but I'm glad I did. The author is a friend of someone I work with and I was asked to check it out. A summation of the beginning plot line might sound unconvincing, but that's not the way it reads. It felt possible and realistic and truly harrowing. The story concerns police corruption, and the author, a former lawyer, is passionate about laws that allow the exploitation of unconnected people without much money. As a Chicagoan I felt that Diskin got most of the details right. My one criticism has to do with the way that personal lives were wrapped up to neatly in the end. It felt like a concession to the tropes of romance novels.
February 20, 2018
This book was suspenseful from the first page. I could just imagine falling asleep on the subway and winding up clear out in the dangerous part of town at 11:00 p.m. Yikes!!! The tension stays steady, although I found many areas of the book to be just too unbelievable (An undercover drug cop can change his 'outfit' on the sidewalk by merely taking off his gold chain necklace? And then walk around contentedly? Please.....) There were other areas in the book like that too, but I kept with it and it did have a good plotline (dirty cops) and the action was fast paced.
If you can ignore the few unreal sections and keep reading, I recommend this book.
If you can ignore the few unreal sections and keep reading, I recommend this book.
December 9, 2015
I almost stopped at the first chapter because it seemed like this was some sort of racist horror story. But I decided to keep reading because the person who suggested this would never read a horror story.
Glad I did.
I was quite interested in the Chicago setting, the mention of Oak Park, and the expose of how police departments used the War on Drugs to exploit the most vulnerable of our population.
Glad I did.
I was quite interested in the Chicago setting, the mention of Oak Park, and the expose of how police departments used the War on Drugs to exploit the most vulnerable of our population.
January 18, 2017
Very good
I lived in Chicago for 25 years off the Green line in Oak Park so it was so fun reading about places I knew. Loved the storyline. It was exciting from start to finish. I could totally see how the events could unfold. Great writing and very entertaining. I can recommend. Gbash
I lived in Chicago for 25 years off the Green line in Oak Park so it was so fun reading about places I knew. Loved the storyline. It was exciting from start to finish. I could totally see how the events could unfold. Great writing and very entertaining. I can recommend. Gbash
April 5, 2014
Potential not realized
This book had a lot of potential, but the writing was very poor, meandering between romance novel and thriller wannabe. The characters were poorly developed and unlikable, and the story. was a little too contrived. Not recommended.
This book had a lot of potential, but the writing was very poor, meandering between romance novel and thriller wannabe. The characters were poorly developed and unlikable, and the story. was a little too contrived. Not recommended.
August 18, 2017
Wow.
What a great read! Fantastic story with engaging characters. I literally had a hard time putting this down it was that good.
What a great read! Fantastic story with engaging characters. I literally had a hard time putting this down it was that good.
March 21, 2018
“Abby Donovan’s decade-long dream of partnership at her prestigious Chicago law firm is just months from fruition. But it’s all about to change because of one misstep.”
Life was going along precisely as Abby Donovan had planned. She had a great job in a prestigious law firm where she was well respected and soon to make partner, a nice home in Chicago, and good friends. She could almost pretend it was perfect if it weren’t for the fact that the love of her life was engaged to another woman now.
One night one small change in her routine changed everything; instead of taking a cab home from work she decided to take the train. One tiny mistake...the one moment she wasn’t paying attention to her carefully planned out life she hopped on the wrong train and the Green Line changed the trajectory of her life forever.
The Green Line is a well thought out story that exposes the injustice of property laws that pertain to locations where crimes have been committed and how those laws can be exploited. I found this story concept quite intriguing as a reader and honestly at times as I learned more about these laws I found them quite frustrating too, as I’m sure the author intended.
But it is due to these laws that Abby gets drawn back toward the location of her horrific night in the underbelly of the city. A kind shop owner, the only man who helped her has found himself in a legal bind and because she is the only lawyer he knows he has come to her for help...and there begins their friendship.
Abby starts off being what I would consider a somewhat snooty woman. She is nice but she judges people without knowing them based on where they live; she even runs from an undercover cop who is only trying to help her that night because she assumes he’s a thug. So she may be going through a less desirable part of town at night saying to herself “not everyone is a criminal”, but as a reader listening to her say this I didn’t get the feeling she really believed that herself. Think about it, if you suddenly found yourself in a run-down part of a big city known for crime, hookers, and drug dealing...how would you be looking at people? If someone started chasing you when you ran from them are you going to stop and say “can I help you?” Ummmm....no.
I would really like to be able to say that “oh, no...I wouldn’t judge them”, but is that really true? I’ll confess, I’d judge. In fact, I know I would because I have done that very thing....I’m not proud of it looking back but it’s my reality. You see one night, I found myself in a situation very similar to Abby’s in New York City. I didn’t witness a crime or find a dead body (thankfully)...I don’t mean that. No, my situation was just a bit different; I at least had someone with me and we both are intelligent and rational people. But, we weren’t familiar with the city and ended up on the wrong train, at night, headed the WRONG direction.
Naturally, we decided to get off the train and get back on going the correct way (sensible eh?) but the stop we hopped off at was definitely NOT in a good part of town. Now that wasn’t really what got to us, I’ve been in bad parts of cities before; I don’t get scared easily. It was the fact that the station was closed, completely abandoned at that time of night. It was filthy, stunk of urine, and we could hear men in the stairwell talking and let’s just say based on their conversation they didn’t sound like individuals we wanted to meet. Put two women in that situation and we just wanted the hell out of there. “Beam me up Scotty!!!”
Rationally I know not everyone is a criminal (but those guys didn’t sound like choir boys believe me), I believe most people are good people....but in a strange city, in the dark, standing on a platform of a closed subway station and hearing what sounds like thugs above you...let’s just say your imagination can run away with you....and that’s what happened with Abby as well.
Fortunately for my friend and I our night didn’t go the same way as Abby’s did but I certainly was easily able to understand the predicament she found herself in....and then things got worse for her.
If you like a well-crafted story, I can easily recommend this one. It’s got just enough action that you stay engaged and the characters I found easily relatable as well; I really liked Marcus. What I think I liked most about Marcus was that his character was able to show Abby that things are not always what they seem and someone who initially appeared to be one thing turns into one of her best friends.
I also liked and hated Tripp; he’s another character who isn’t what he appears to be at first with Abby. But what I didn’t like about him I’m certain the author meant for me not to like about him, so that’s not a bad thing. He’s a pretty-boy slime ball, no other way to put it. He’s the character you love to hate and that’s always fun to have in a story too. There are a few other baddies thrown in for good measure too, but he’s the king of them all.
I think the only problem I had with this story is that Abby’s behavior at times was inconsistent. She’s a smart woman, rational, can think her way out of scary situations but sometimes she comes across as terribly naïve and that just didn’t jibe with some of her actions. But really that’s my only complaint with this story. So, if that’s all I have to say then I can safely say I can recommend it to anyone who likes a good story and I wholeheartedly do so now....check this one out, I think you’ll like it too.
I give this one 4 stars. Read it and tell me what you think too.
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February 24, 2018Kept my interest. Interesting since it was set in Chicago. Easy to read.
February 22, 2014
This was really well written, and it's obvious that the author knows what she's talking about. Not only that, but the character development was well done, not cheesy like in so many other crime novels, and the ending wasn't obvious.
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