J.D. Robb discussion
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Beneath Devil's Bridge
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Beneath Devil's Bridge by Loreth Anne White - Jan. 2023 BOM - Spoiler Zone
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I'm in! If I see lots of reminders. Sandra and I have similar tastes, but you both write amazing reviews.
I'm in! I'm looking forward to this one.
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Thank you, Maureen.
This is a good one! I'm in for the discussion.
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Waiting for this one from our state library system. Hope it comes soon.
I'm in. I bought this book a couple months ago.
I read the book and I really liked it
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Looking forward to it … I enjoyed this as well.
This is next one in my TBR.
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1-Trinity Scott is chasing success through sensationalizing true crimes via podcasts. In the beginning, what were your thoughts on Trinity and her methods of investigation? Did you feelings about her change over the course of the book?
2-Did you like the way Trinity Scott's true crime podcast was used to move this story forward and uncover secrets? Did it add to the tension as she dug in and more was discovered and revealed? Are you a fan of the use of social media in books?
3-Did you believe Clayton was guilty or not? Did you wonder why he chose to reveal his story now and why he insisted on it being Trinity that he talked to?
4-What are your thoughts on retired detective Rachel Walczak?
5-This story is based on a true crime. Do you enjoy true crime stories?
There was the true crime broadcast that succeeded in freeing a HS kid who went to prison for strangling his girlfriend in the Baltimore area. I think that is what made True Crime Podcasts so popular. I found it interesting that the broadcaster said he certainly deserved a new trial becasue of the legal errors that were made but she wasn't too sure that he was innocent.I have liked some of the books were social media has been used. I think Sharon Bolton wa very effective in one of her books, and of course Beneath Devil's Bridge was very well done. A new form of epistolary books?
I started the book and had an eerie sense that I'd already read this story, although I have no record of it. I guess I'll continue it and see where it leads me. Even the nationality of the names of the girl's family seem familiar. Hmmm....
2-Did you like the way Trinity Scott's true crime podcast was used to move this story forward and uncover secrets? Did it add to the tension as she dug in and more was discovered and revealed? Are you a fan of the use of social media in books?I enjoyed the way this story was presented. Learning facts through the podcast and through Rachel's memories kept the story moving at a good pace. I've read a couple mysteries where part of the story was told through a podcast. I think it is an interesting way to give us the facts.
3-Did you believe Clayton was guilty or not? Did you wonder why he chose to reveal his story now and why he insisted on it being Trinity that he talked to?I didn't know what to believe about Pelley. I did find it hard to believe that someone would just falsely confess to a murder out of the blue. It wasn't like the police had been questioning him for hours and hours under a hot lightbulb. He just blurted it out. And I didn't buy that 24 years later, he is worried that the real killer may be out there. I thought he wanted the interview because he was bored and wanted the celebrity.
This story is based on a true crime. Do you enjoy true crime stories?Do I enjoy true crime? It depends how it is presented. I liked this story which felt like a well-written mystery with many flawed characters. Other true crime books that I've read or listened to felt like I was reading something out of a history book. Those ones kind of creeped me out. I try to stay away from them.
I haven't read much about true crime. I've never listened to a podcast, either.
Your very senior citizen "partner in crime."
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Do I enjoy true crime? It depends how it is presented. I liked this story which felt like a well-written mystery with many fla..."
I agree, Robin. It's all in the presentation. I think White does a great job with true crime and she's able to build suspense in unique ways.
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I didn't know what to believe about Pell..."
Yes, this puzzled me a bit. Why wait so long to do this? 24 years of your life gone if you're innocent? That part seemed a bit unrealistic to me. Pelley was actually a bit of a puzzle for me most of the book.
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I've also read a couple of stories that utilize the podcast to move the story and build suspense. I think White does an exceptional job in this one utilizing the podcast - setting pace and building tension as readers learn more about Trinity. Between the podcast and Rachel's memories, this story flowed well and held my attention through the end.
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I always wonder if legal errors are going to set a killer free...I'm sure it's happened before. I'm also a fan of Sharon Bolton's work and need to read more by her. Obviously, I'm a LAW super fan.
Sandra wrote: "Maureen wrote: "There was the true crime broadcast that succeeded in freeing a HS kid who went to prison for strangling his girlfriend in the Baltimore area. I think that is what made True Crime Po..."The Angie Pallorino series was my first intro to LAW, and I was floored! I could not wait for each subsequent book. I missed Angie when LAW finished the trilogy, but the standalones have been so outstanding. My bookclub has read a few.
As to Bolton, she she came out with a new Lacey Flint this year, I hope you read and review it as you are the best reviewer I read. (Now about that money I want to borrow....)
Speaking of the dark, I agree 100% with your about your comment in your review of LAW's about how it would be the great beginning of a series.
Legal errors used to be our greatest fear, so much so that many agencies now have attorneys on staff to write the affidavits for wiretaps, and at the very least to review the affidavits for search and arrest warrants. In some cases the AUSAs or local prosecutors will review them. As my husband would say, cases are won or loss in pre-trial appearances. Now I was small time-just on the state level, but I always talked to any defense attorney who called me. 9 times out of 10 he would then plead his client out. Which was too bad, I LOVED going to court.
Sorry, tend to get carried away. Old age.
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I also loved the Angie Pallarino series and would love more books but probably not happening. lol I haven't read the Lacey Flint series but it's on my list. I read Daisy In Chains and was blown away by the writing, the twists, etc. I really need to move all Bolton's books up my list.
Thx for sharing a bit about the legal world - interesting for sure!
Synopsis:
A true crime podcast yields new revelations about a shocking murder.
True crime podcaster Trinity Scott is chasing breakout success, and her brand-new serial may get her there. Her subject is Clayton Jay Pelley. More than two decades ago, the respected family man and guidance counselor confessed to the brutal murder of teenage student Leena Rai. But why he killed her has always been a mystery.
In a series of exclusive interviews from prison, Clayton discloses to Trinity the truth about what happened that night beneath Devil’s Bridge. It’s not what anyone in the Pacific Northwest town of Twin Falls expects. Clayton says he didn’t do it. Was he lying then? Or now?
As her listeners increase and ratings skyrocket, Trinity is missing a key player in the story: Rachel Walczak, the retired detective who exposed Pelley’s twisted urges and put him behind bars. She’s not interested in playing Clayton’s game - until Trinity digs deeper and the podcast’s reverb widens. Then Rachel begins to question everything she thinks she knows about the past.
With each of Clayton’s teasing reveals, one thing is clear: he’s not the only one in Twin Falls with a secret.