Book Review: High Lonesome Road

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

High Lonesome Road     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Betsy Thornton
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Cozy
Series: Chloe Newcombe # 2
St. Martin's, Feb 2001, $22.95, 240 pp.

Two years ago, Chloe Newcomb left New York to relocate to Dudley, Arizona. Chloe inherited a home in the Old Dudley section of town from her deceased sibling's gay lover, who was like a big brother to her too. Chloe works a part-time schedule as a victim's counselor for the local police department. She not only helps individuals cope with crime, but also teaches classes.

Attending one of her classes is Erica Hill, a former neighbor of her brother in Venice, California. They agree to talk about old times, but Chloe never called. Chloe comes across old letters from her sibling that includes a comment wondering what happened to Erica. The next day, Chloe arrives at the murder scene of the bookmobile driver to provide comfort to retired schoolteacher Dot Stone, who discovered the corpse. To Chloe's shock, the body is Erica. Unable to mind her business, especially after rereading her brother's old letter, Chloe needs to know what happened to Erica, why it happened and what will happen to her teenage son?

As with her debut novel THE COWBOY RIDES AGAIN, Betsy Thornton provides readers with a deep feel for the smaller Southwest communities. Entities like bookmobiles make it seem like the 1950s to this aging urban boomer. The story line is entertaining and the characters appear genuine due to the secondary cast's interactions with Chloe. Ms. Thornton escorts her audience down the HIGH LONESOME ROAD with a strong regional cozy

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner