Readers who watch NCIS and its siblings will enjoy R.J. Shaw’s engrossing DIRT ROAD RECKONING, a procedural that goes beyond that genre to offer a tapestry of story, characters, and depth. A compelling plot, unexpected twists, steady (and increasingly scary) developments, and a generous peppering of humor ensure a page-racing, satisfying read.
Shaw, who had a long career in the FBI, offers an insider’s lens on the details and the problems in American justice systems. Among the issues Shaw explores are the drawbacks of how suspects are handled (e.g., witness line-ups, interrogations, profilers, and “tunnel vision”), internal turf battles in justice agencies at all levels, and underfunded administrative systems.
These issues bleed into social observations as well. As the protagonist notes:
The similarities between the Navajo Reservation and Clairfield, Tennessee, struck Wallace. Both were populated by people who resented and mistrusted the government, especially law enforcement. The residents lived in poverty and had limited opportunities to break the cycle. Alcohol and drug addiction were rampant in their communities, robbing the youth of opportunities to rise above their lot in life.
Insights like these add heft to an already interesting novel that will leave readers pondering the questions it poses.
The plot, loosely based on a real case, involves retired FBI agent Gus Wallace. He has recently become sheriff of his hometown in Appalachian Tennessee—to the irritation of one of his detectives, who had wanted the job. But bigger challenges quickly crop up with a murder that eerily resembles those of a serial killer from decades earlier. When the soon-to-be Director of the FBI becomes oddly interested in this small-town case, complications build up fast and furious, eventually pulling in the Dixie Mafia, FBI ladder-climbers, local and regional police forces, and developments within the case itself.
Complications are cleverly set up and executed; they’re fun to anticipate and experience—particularly one involving a hurled can of cocktail fruit. There’s also a hilarious scene in a “gentlemen’s” club. A sweet scene features hillbilly brothers at odds with stereotypes aimed at them.
The novel’s structure and pacing are tight throughout, with steadily increasing stakes, players, and risks. Revelations around the killer are particularly elegant, and the book’s final reckoning is shocking and thoroughly satisfying.
A few minor grammatical errors and consistently backwards quotation marks hamper a novel that deserved higher editing standards. Also, a few political comments are bound to annoy readers of persuasions both left and right. But these are quibbles—the latter probably more of an asset than a drawback. Overall, DIRT ROAD RECKONING is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
R.J. Shaw’s DIRT ROAD RECKONING promises a fast and compelling read with a twisty, textured plot, smoothly built developments, complex characters, and a heavy dose of humor.
~Anne Welsbacher for IndieReader