Book Review: Where the Dead Lay by David Levien
After the sudden disappearance of two high-priced detectives, former Indianapolis cop Frank Behr—the brooding private investigator introduced in David Levien’s nationally acclaimed novel City of the Sun—is pulled into a case that is harrowing, relentless, and, ultimately, personal.
This was the third book I read in 2016. I had purchased it at my local library’s annual book sale. I didn’t realize that it was a second book in a series but I don’t think it hurt my reading experience. It was an okay read but I’m not jumping to continue the series. At times the novel read as though it was nothing more than a fleshed out outline, with just enough details to get you to turn the page. It redeemed itself a little by the last 50 pages but it wasn’t enough to add this book to my favorites list.
The protagonist of the story, Frank Behr is pretty dry. This is the only time I wish I had read the first book in the series because I think it would have helped to understand Behr’s mindset. I can see what Levien was trying to do with Behr; to make him a gritty, dark, and troubled anti-hero. Unfortunately it fell flat in my opinion.
I really enjoyed how you saw the story unfold from the perspectives of all the players involved. It helped to round out the story and helped move it along. Not a lot of authors can pull this off but Levien did and each character’s voice felt unique and served a purpose.
Overall, I would say it’s worth a shot to read the book but keep your expectations low and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
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