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Inroads: The Killing of Callie Shane
THREE TEXAS FAMILIES— STRANGERS — UNTIL THEIR LIVES INTERSECT IN TRAGEDY.
Rebecca Grant is no stranger to loss and grief. For twenty years, she has practiced as a funeral director in the small Texas town of Sparrows Cove. Two years ago, tragedy and loss became intensely personal. Rebecca’s teenage daughter Callie was killed in a convenience store robbery. The shooter died at the scene. His accomplice faces execution on death row. Rebecca is learning to live around the excruciating loss of her daughter, but she will never forgive her stepdaughter Nichole whose reckless decisions cost innocent Callie her life.
Mac McKeon is a successful Austin businessman, a real estate broker specializing in ranch sales. His wife Catherine, a woman of influence, is considering a run for governor. Among Mac’s recent clients is a couple who is more than eager to sell their ranch. Emma and Lester Donovan are desperate — for cash and for justice. Their son Jude is on death row, wrongly convicted in the murder of Callie Shane.
But Emma and Lester Donovan are not the only desperate parents. Callie’s father is a tortured man, consumed by grief. Substance abuse fuels Russell Shane’s desperation and stokes his rage at anyone attempting to delay the execution of Jude Donovan or anyone with the power to stay it.m
Rebecca Grant is no stranger to loss and grief. For twenty years, she has practiced as a funeral director in the small Texas town of Sparrows Cove. Two years ago, tragedy and loss became intensely personal. Rebecca’s teenage daughter Callie was killed in a convenience store robbery. The shooter died at the scene. His accomplice faces execution on death row. Rebecca is learning to live around the excruciating loss of her daughter, but she will never forgive her stepdaughter Nichole whose reckless decisions cost innocent Callie her life.
Mac McKeon is a successful Austin businessman, a real estate broker specializing in ranch sales. His wife Catherine, a woman of influence, is considering a run for governor. Among Mac’s recent clients is a couple who is more than eager to sell their ranch. Emma and Lester Donovan are desperate — for cash and for justice. Their son Jude is on death row, wrongly convicted in the murder of Callie Shane.
But Emma and Lester Donovan are not the only desperate parents. Callie’s father is a tortured man, consumed by grief. Substance abuse fuels Russell Shane’s desperation and stokes his rage at anyone attempting to delay the execution of Jude Donovan or anyone with the power to stay it.m
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2018
13 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Linda Amey
21 books4 followersLinda Amey is a native Texan and lives in Austin with her Boston terrier Regent. She proudly claims to have mastered spelling her last name, Brizendine, before finishing first grade.
Linda is a graduate of the University of Texas and practiced as a funeral director for nearly twenty years. She and her late husband John served thousands of families at their funeral homes in Austin.
A rookie mahjongg player, Linda enjoys time with family and friends. Her passions are travel, reading, serving as a Docent at the Texas Governor's Mansion, and, of course, writing.
Linda is a graduate of the University of Texas and practiced as a funeral director for nearly twenty years. She and her late husband John served thousands of families at their funeral homes in Austin.
A rookie mahjongg player, Linda enjoys time with family and friends. Her passions are travel, reading, serving as a Docent at the Texas Governor's Mansion, and, of course, writing.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 27, 2018
Linda Amey delivers this heart rendering novel at everyone’s level. She makes each character real enough to be the neighbor next door, or the young man you meet while gassing up your car. You get to see both sides of a person on death row; the person’s family and the family of the victim. To see how Callie’s dad falls apart with grief is sad, while her mom continues to comfort others during their deepest struggles.
The young man accused of being an accomplice to the murder, is only guilty of driving away when shots are heard. Jude’s parents are doing everything they can to reveal the truth of that night and get their son acquitted. This sparks events that Callie’s grief-stricken father cannot accept. Russell needs to find someone to pay for the anguish he is experiencing, and this alone fuels his bitterness and revenge towards anyone involved with Jude.
I find INROADS: The Killing of Callie Shane fast pace and emotional. Truth can be painful, especially when it doesn’t bring about comfort and peace. Linda Amey touches family issues with a delicate touch to ugly topics.
The young man accused of being an accomplice to the murder, is only guilty of driving away when shots are heard. Jude’s parents are doing everything they can to reveal the truth of that night and get their son acquitted. This sparks events that Callie’s grief-stricken father cannot accept. Russell needs to find someone to pay for the anguish he is experiencing, and this alone fuels his bitterness and revenge towards anyone involved with Jude.
I find INROADS: The Killing of Callie Shane fast pace and emotional. Truth can be painful, especially when it doesn’t bring about comfort and peace. Linda Amey touches family issues with a delicate touch to ugly topics.
May 30, 2018
“It’s Callie, Mom. Our Callie. She’s dead.”
Texas author Linda Amey, a graduate of the University of Texas, is a native Texan, Linda practiced as a funeral director for nearly twenty years. She and her late husband John served thousands of Central Texas families at their Austin funeral homes. In addition to writing mysteries (AT DEAD OF NIGHT, BURY HER SWEETLY, SNARE OF THE TRAPPER, and INNROADS) Linda serves as a Docent at the Texas Governor's Mansion. She lives in Austin.
Linda approaches the thematic material of her latest novel with a depth of background few authors own – a keen sense of place (Texas), politics, and the mortuary business – and she uses this background to sharpen her imagery and dialogue well.
The case of murder that is the central focus that affects three individual Teas families in quit different ways is presented in the opening Prologue – ‘…Fed up, Callie shouldered open the rear door of the SUV. A gust of thick, humid wind shoved it back against her. Stiff arming the door, she climbed out and let the wind slam it shut. Nichole and Jessica would think she had slammed the door on purpose, but Callie didn’t care. She was exhausted, hungry, and mad. And maybe a little hurt. Jessica and Nichole had invited her to the beach house with them, but they had left her behind most of the weekend with Jessica’s parents and a family next door. “Never again,” Callie muttered, rounding the rear of the Mazda. Battling another gust of wind, she trotted away from the gas pumps toward the store, her long, hair swirling. A black car was parked near the end of the building, to the left of the door. A dark haired young man sat in the driver seat. He and Callie exchanged glances. Her inner-warning system sounded. Would he follow her into the store? Should she go inside alone? No, her mom would say. Always stay with a group. Uncertain, Callie looked over her shoulder at Nichole standing between the SUV and the gas pumps. She was talking to the driver of the Mercedes she had parked behind. If Callie returned to the car, Nichole would laugh and say, “Really, Callie? Are you seven or seventeen?”… Callie froze, her feet fastened to the floor, her left arm locked around the water bottles. Every nerve in her body shuddered. She heard a loud crash, and then more shouting. But now there were two voices. Men. Yelling, cursing, and smashing into things. Callie’s heart hammered in her chest. She had to get out of there. A deafening blast bounced off the walls. Then another. A wave of terror surged through her. Gunfire. Callie’s entire body stiffened, the bottles pressed hard against her ribs. Frantic questions streaked through her mind. What should she do? Should she hide? Should she run? Yes! She had to get out of there.’ Terrific scene setup so we move on to the story.
The plot - ‘Three Texas families, strangers, until their lives intersect in tragedy. Rebecca Grant is no stranger to loss and grief. For twenty years, she has practiced as a funeral director in the small Texas town of Sparrows Cove. Two years ago, tragedy and loss became intensely personal. Rebecca’s teenage daughter Callie was killed in a convenience store robbery in Houston. Mac McKeon is a successful Austin businessman, a real estate broker specializing in ranch sales. His wife Catherine, a woman of influence, is considering a run for governor. Among Mac’s clients is a couple who is more than eager to sell their ranch. The Donovans are desperate — for cash and for justice. Their son is on death row, convicted in the murder of Callie Shane. But Emma and Lester Donovan are not the only desperate parents. Callie’s father is a tortured man, consumed by grief. Substance abuse fuels Russell Shane’s desperation and stokes his rage at anyone attempting to delay the execution of Jude Donovan or anyone with the power to stay it.’
Many aspects of one tragedy that ignites many others – all developed in a sophisticated style that reveals a writer of polish. Linda Amey knows her craft and uses it well. Recommended.
Texas author Linda Amey, a graduate of the University of Texas, is a native Texan, Linda practiced as a funeral director for nearly twenty years. She and her late husband John served thousands of Central Texas families at their Austin funeral homes. In addition to writing mysteries (AT DEAD OF NIGHT, BURY HER SWEETLY, SNARE OF THE TRAPPER, and INNROADS) Linda serves as a Docent at the Texas Governor's Mansion. She lives in Austin.
Linda approaches the thematic material of her latest novel with a depth of background few authors own – a keen sense of place (Texas), politics, and the mortuary business – and she uses this background to sharpen her imagery and dialogue well.
The case of murder that is the central focus that affects three individual Teas families in quit different ways is presented in the opening Prologue – ‘…Fed up, Callie shouldered open the rear door of the SUV. A gust of thick, humid wind shoved it back against her. Stiff arming the door, she climbed out and let the wind slam it shut. Nichole and Jessica would think she had slammed the door on purpose, but Callie didn’t care. She was exhausted, hungry, and mad. And maybe a little hurt. Jessica and Nichole had invited her to the beach house with them, but they had left her behind most of the weekend with Jessica’s parents and a family next door. “Never again,” Callie muttered, rounding the rear of the Mazda. Battling another gust of wind, she trotted away from the gas pumps toward the store, her long, hair swirling. A black car was parked near the end of the building, to the left of the door. A dark haired young man sat in the driver seat. He and Callie exchanged glances. Her inner-warning system sounded. Would he follow her into the store? Should she go inside alone? No, her mom would say. Always stay with a group. Uncertain, Callie looked over her shoulder at Nichole standing between the SUV and the gas pumps. She was talking to the driver of the Mercedes she had parked behind. If Callie returned to the car, Nichole would laugh and say, “Really, Callie? Are you seven or seventeen?”… Callie froze, her feet fastened to the floor, her left arm locked around the water bottles. Every nerve in her body shuddered. She heard a loud crash, and then more shouting. But now there were two voices. Men. Yelling, cursing, and smashing into things. Callie’s heart hammered in her chest. She had to get out of there. A deafening blast bounced off the walls. Then another. A wave of terror surged through her. Gunfire. Callie’s entire body stiffened, the bottles pressed hard against her ribs. Frantic questions streaked through her mind. What should she do? Should she hide? Should she run? Yes! She had to get out of there.’ Terrific scene setup so we move on to the story.
The plot - ‘Three Texas families, strangers, until their lives intersect in tragedy. Rebecca Grant is no stranger to loss and grief. For twenty years, she has practiced as a funeral director in the small Texas town of Sparrows Cove. Two years ago, tragedy and loss became intensely personal. Rebecca’s teenage daughter Callie was killed in a convenience store robbery in Houston. Mac McKeon is a successful Austin businessman, a real estate broker specializing in ranch sales. His wife Catherine, a woman of influence, is considering a run for governor. Among Mac’s clients is a couple who is more than eager to sell their ranch. The Donovans are desperate — for cash and for justice. Their son is on death row, convicted in the murder of Callie Shane. But Emma and Lester Donovan are not the only desperate parents. Callie’s father is a tortured man, consumed by grief. Substance abuse fuels Russell Shane’s desperation and stokes his rage at anyone attempting to delay the execution of Jude Donovan or anyone with the power to stay it.’
Many aspects of one tragedy that ignites many others – all developed in a sophisticated style that reveals a writer of polish. Linda Amey knows her craft and uses it well. Recommended.
June 14, 2018
First and foremost, this is a very human tale, that could be likened in its telling to that of the famous Danish book-to-TV-series “Forbrydelsen” (or “The Killing”, as it was inexactly translated for Anglophonic audiences).
How? Well, very much is focussed on the families involved (directly or tangentially), making a change from the common focus on the police investigation above all else. The result is a much greater connection to the goings-on; a much greater sense of the reality of life and loss.
Amey does a fine job of bringing us vivid descriptive prose without overdoing it, placing us very much in the scene and giving an immersive experience; dialogue likewise is written superbly, which is an area where many authors fail to keep me in-world as it quickly becomes distracting to me if lines aren’t credibly written. Instead, here, plain sailing.
All in all, I’d recommend this book to any fan of the genre.
How? Well, very much is focussed on the families involved (directly or tangentially), making a change from the common focus on the police investigation above all else. The result is a much greater connection to the goings-on; a much greater sense of the reality of life and loss.
Amey does a fine job of bringing us vivid descriptive prose without overdoing it, placing us very much in the scene and giving an immersive experience; dialogue likewise is written superbly, which is an area where many authors fail to keep me in-world as it quickly becomes distracting to me if lines aren’t credibly written. Instead, here, plain sailing.
All in all, I’d recommend this book to any fan of the genre.
June 2, 2018
The tragedy of loss and grief can be so beautifully sad and cruel, it can potentially unite people or can separate them forever and there is no pain greater than the loss of someone you loved and not granted the peace that person or you truly deserve.
This author creates a living world with living characters; they feel as real as the family you love so much. The characters are what set this story apart from others, this is not about a crime scene, this is about the two sides of loss, and it can be a painful road for anyone. But what can you do to help a father who lost his daughter recently to find peace and not revenge?
This book shows the real struggle of loss, and also shows that there is no repair in the world that can fill the space left behind by that person, a truly masterful and sad story that should reach everyone who has suffers the same.
This author creates a living world with living characters; they feel as real as the family you love so much. The characters are what set this story apart from others, this is not about a crime scene, this is about the two sides of loss, and it can be a painful road for anyone. But what can you do to help a father who lost his daughter recently to find peace and not revenge?
This book shows the real struggle of loss, and also shows that there is no repair in the world that can fill the space left behind by that person, a truly masterful and sad story that should reach everyone who has suffers the same.
April 22, 2018
This is a well written story about grief that pulls the reader in right from the start. The author does a wonderful job bringing this tale to life with both fantastic details and imagery. Linda Amey really brings this tale to life and it doesn’t take long to find a side. I found that I was drawn into the life of the different characters and that I really wanted to find out what would happen next and what the truth really was. You had your characters that you loved and the ones that you hated. The story was compelling and easy to follow along. I found that it didn’t take me long to loose myself into the story telling and to reach the end of the story. It was worth reading and finding out what really happened the night of the robbery and how the puzzle pieces really belonged.
June 4, 2018
Murder Mystery: Emotional!
A well written murder mystery that brings back to life many instances and realistic character descriptions. This is the murder mystery of Calline Shane, 20 year old girl – that impacted the Texas families. The author shows the view of victim’s family as well on the other side of family too- the blamed individual too. The emotions, anger, pain, truth, comfort, peace, grief all are parts of the story.
A well written murder mystery that brings back to life many instances and realistic character descriptions. This is the murder mystery of Calline Shane, 20 year old girl – that impacted the Texas families. The author shows the view of victim’s family as well on the other side of family too- the blamed individual too. The emotions, anger, pain, truth, comfort, peace, grief all are parts of the story.
September 24, 2025
What a surprise? I’ll never forget this book finding me! As I visited Austin, Texas and the amazing Book People store I had the pleasure of meeting Linda Amey and she shared this story with me. I made my purchase and couldn’t put it down. A heartbreaking yet inspiring story of strangers connected by tragedy with the twists and turns of a mystery. The unfolding of the connections were jaw dropping. A definite must read!
October 15, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. As a Texan that no longer lives in Texas, I liked hearing some of the towns that I have been too. I met the lovely author in a local bookstore in Austin and she gave me a brief overview of the book. I bought this one and the sequel. I look forward to reading the next.
April 23, 2018
INROADS: The Killing of Callie Shane by Linda Amey is a well written thriller/mystery that recounts the murder of a young teenager, Callie, 20 years earlier in a convenience store shooting. Callie was the daughter of Rebecca, a funeral director, and a well regarded member of her community. Even after so much time has elapsed, Rebecca can't quite get over it, and begins to think that her stepdaughter Nichole lied about the night that Callie was killed. This is a riveting story, with characters that feel so real. You can feel the grief of Callie's parents even though they are divorced. You can feel the anguish as Rebecca's ex husband becomes an alcoholic. He is tortured at the loss of his daughter. This story is subtly written, and fully illustrates the lifestyle in Texas, making the reader feel they are in that place with all of the characters. Amey has done a superb job of putting together this story, and with her background gives credibility and sensitivity to the subject of death. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews