When nothing is as it seems, can the truth survive?Attorney Cal Claxton, now well-established in his Oregon law practice after breaking off his career as a high-powered LA prosecutor, just wants to go fishing with his daughter, Claire, and he knows the best place—the coastal area south of Coos Bay. But their vacation takes a dark turn with the discovery of a body in the river.As an investigation … river.
As an investigation is launched into the suspicious death, Cal and Claire find themselves drawn into the life of the local bookshop owner and vocal environmental activist, whose grandson was convicted for murder at age sixteen. She believes he was wrongly accused and convinces Cal to reexamine the case. Together, Cal and Claire dig deep into the secrets and crumbling alliances that form the foundation of this small coastal community, and what they find could spell doom for them both…
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“No Way to Die” by Warren Easley is book seven in the Cal Claxton series. New readers quickly learn any needed backstory, and regular readers find out what Cal, his daughter, and his Australian shepherd are up to on their vacation on the Oregon coast. It is set in a small resort town where everyone knows everyone else; everyone has secrets, and unexpected things keep popping up. So, when a dead man is found in the water; the immediate thought is that probably someone he knew did it.
Warren structures Claxton’s narrative to give readers a global look at the events in a casual conversational style, as if talking to close friends. He speaks directly to readers, “if memory serves;” reflects on actions, “Didn’t see that coming; and hints at things to come “I had questions. Lots of questions.”
Vivid descriptions and bring the setting to life for readers “As the sun descended that evening the wind died, and the ocean glassed off to a pane of deepest blue. The fog bank that loitered offshore for the past couple of nights had finally burned off, and we were treated to a sunset whose colors morphed from shimmering gold, to rose, to violet, before dying in a shroud of deep purple.”
The plot is well structured and moves at an appropriate pace with ample action, suspense, a gun fight or two, and unsolved deaths. In the end, when all the pieces fall into place, the conclusion surprises everyone, even Cal; “I misread her completely…Why the hell didn’t I see that?”
I was given a review copy of “No Way to Die” by Warren Easley and Poisoned Pen Press. It is easy to read, and has not only suspense but also friendship and family devotion. The plot is innovative with new complications rather than a rehash of previous books. Regular readers will love this fresh look at Claxton, and new readers will be intrigued by the original plot and picturesque setting. Moreover, it features an indie bookstore, always a plus in any plot.
This is the seventh book in Warren Easley’s Cal Claxton Oregon mysteries and my first read in the series. It works well as a stand-alone book, with a story that is complete within the book. There are a couple of active secondary characters; ‘Nando, an investigator and Claire, Cal’s daughter, who have probably appeared in earlier books. Easley does a good job of establishing Cal’s relationship with them and Easley does a good job of bringing them into this story without any indication the reader is missing any information in their place in Cal’s life.
In this book, Cal and Claire are on a two-week vacation near Coos Bay, Oregon, having been offered a cabin by one of Cal’s grateful clients. As they were on the river fishing, Claire discovers the body of a man who has been tied and thrown into the water. As Cal and Claire quickly learn, the dead man provided false testimony that helped convict 16 year old Kenny of a murder he didn’t commit. Rori, Kenny’s grandmother, owner of a local book and coffee shop and local activist convinces Cal to meet Kenny and judge for himself if Kenny is telling the truth when he tells his story of innocence.
Cal and Claire meet Kenny and, upon meeting him Cal is convinced of his innocence. Cal agrees to take on the case to try and overturn the conviction and Claire insists on helping. As Cal and Claire are on the road back to their cabin they are forced off the road into the river by someone driving the cab of an old 18-wheeler. Archie, Cal’s Australian shepard is also forced into the water, almost a worse tragedy than for Cal and Claire since he hates water and Cal isn’t sure if he knows how to swim.
The relationship between Cal and Archie is fully developed and provides some entertaining depth to the personalities in the book. Also, Claire and Cal’s dedication to each other helps round out their personalities and is central to establishing them as thoughtful caring stewards of both the earth and their fellow man. In addition, the attempt on Cal and Claire allows Easley to introduce ‘Nando, an investigator and family friend, into the story.
As Cal, Claire and ‘Nando begin to investigate there are some lovely descriptions of the Oregon Coast they travel in tracking down witnesses. There are several potential suspects including Kenny’s slippery step-father, the owner of a trucking company where the drivers haul logs as well as participating in the transport of illegal drugs, the widow of the man Kenny is accused of murdering and a couple of not-quite-bright thugs who are determined to be the ones who forced Cal, Claire, and Archie off the road.
There are plenty of clues to help the reader try to determine the murderer as Cal investigates. There is some action as ‘Nando, Claire, and Cal try to identify the thugs who tried to kill them, and there are lots of descriptions of Oregon and the surrounding area. The book is not particularly fast and intense as originally expected as Cal and company search for a killer, which makes it more of an investigative story than an action adventure.
This book will probably be enjoyed by anyone who loves the Oregon coast and enjoys seeing the innocent vindicated through continued effort by individuals who value the truth. The relationship between Cal and his dog Archie provides some lightness to the story and helps establish Cal’s personality. It does not have heart-pounding suspense and, as such, will probably not appeal to readers who are looking for a tension-filled read. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Digital Read copy in exchange for an honest review.
lawyers, law-enforcement, private-investigators, family-dynamics, vacation, murder-investigation, small-town *****
Loved it! A nice thing is that even though it is part of a series, that has no effect on enjoyment of the story. Basically, a widowed Portland, Oregon lawyer with an odd practice and his daughter who is in a postdoctoral program back at Harvard are in a semi rural are of Oregon for a fly fishing vacation. While enjoying themselves they happen upon the body of a brutally murdered man. This is their entry into a very complicated situation, an environmental impact protest, a wrongfully imprisoned young man, an attempt on their lives, and a shootout at their rental resulting in damage to a good friend who came to help. And that’s just skimming the highlights! A good mystery writer demonstrates his craft for our enjoyment.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
Attorney Cal Claxton and his daughter Claire head to Coos Bay for a two-week fishing vacation. The calm is shattered by a protest against a proposed liquid natural gas terminal and pipeline in the area. Although not illegal, several members of the community have helped ensure that the land is available for the pipeline thereby making a profit. As Cal is discussing the protest with one of the women, she tells Cal about her grandson who is in prison for a murder that he did not commit. Cal is urged, by his daughter, to get involved and see if there is anything that he can do to help her grandson. While fishing, Cal’s daughter discovers the body of a man in the river. Their lives are now in danger as Cal and Claire investigate the murder that took place five years ago. This is an intricate mystery and as clues surface, Mr. Easley keeps everything explained as the story reaches it surprise conclusion. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)