The Dividing Line

Joshua Rabb Mystery #1

by Richard Parrish

World War II vet Joshua Rabb takes a job as an attorney for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, where he becomes caught in the crossfire between Papago Indians and greedy local politicos. 25,000 first printing. National ad/promo.

Genres: Mystery

368 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1993

Reviews

[Peggy van Wunnik]

I wanted to like Joshua, the main character. It was a decent premise - a battle-scarred veteran, recently widowed, who needs to move west to benefit his health and in so doing uproots his young children. Formerly an attorney, he starts a new job with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and begins learning about the local Papago tribe and the fact that the resident state Senator pretty much owns the townspeople due to his largesse. On his first visit to the Senator's home, Joshua gets drunk, has sex with a hooker and has to fend off a resulting blackmail attempt. He pretty much wants to have sex with any attractive woman, and I guess we're supposed to feel sympathetic because he's lost his wife. And even though people keep being murdered in his small town, he keeps leaving his children pretty much unattended, especially while he's off having sex. Such a cast of characters: noble Indians, venal politician, hick small-town lawman, corrupt FBI agent, mischievous little boys. There were too many competing plot lines and it just became a big mess. This is not an author I'll seek out twice.

[Barb Heart]

Very interesting story - the struggle of the native american tribes in AZ. along with the struggles of a one armed veteran from New York - no wife and raising a young boy & girl. I am glad I didn't read the summary - I like to be surprised. There were brutal murders - terrible high power people kept you wondering who was it??? through the whole book.

[Dan Holley]

Great story and great writing style. Another great book series (Joshua Rabb) for learning some history, about suffering, about discrimination, all while enjoying great stories!

[Susie Silveira]

I read it because I forgot my current book at home while on vacation. This was in our cabin, so I read it. Not very good writing, to say the least. That's all.

[Taveri]

A little bit "To Kill a Mocking Bird," a little bit IHigh Noon," the murders, action and court matters keep the story going.  A one armed lawyer wounded from WWII settles near Tuscon to represent the Papagao Indians and comes up against the Senator illegally taking minerals from their land.  It is set in 1948 so we get a sense of what Tuscon was like then including what played on the raiio.  We also learn some of the Papagao raguage and their Aztecan ancestry.  Tuscon (the black foothils) and Arizona (the Peace of the Little Spings) derive from their words.




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[Steve Gross]

Strange but good - a Jewish lawyer in Tucson in the 1940's

[Rae]

A BIA lawyer defends a Papago chief's son in a murder trial. I loved the setting of this novel, but it's not the greatest read.

[Christie]

The story itself was really good, but it does drag quite a bit.

[Michelle Stevens]

it was a very depressing book, i kept reading thinking it has to get better but it doesn't,well written but depressing, i have no intension of reading the sequel

[Jackie Simons]

Read 7/94

[Rosemary Palmer]

As always, Joshua Rabb has my sympathy....