The Fields
Riley Fisher Book 1
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4.0 • 1 Rating
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- $15.99
Publisher Description
'Murder, politics, family secrets, an iconic main character, and a fiendish plot. What's not to love?' Laura Shepherd-Robinson, author of Blood & Sugar
IT STARTS WITH A BODY-a young woman found dead in an Iowa cornfield, on one of the few family farms still managing to compete with the giants of Big Agriculture.
For Sergeant Riley Fisher, newly promoted to head of investigations at the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office, an already horrific crime takes on a personal edge when she discovers the victim is an old friend, from a dark past she thought she'd left behind.
Rumour travels fast in small towns, while sweltering heat and state-wide elections only add to the pressure-cooker atmosphere. When another body is found, Riley is in danger of being engulfed by the fear and the frenzy. Something deeply disturbing is out there - and it reaches far beyond Black Hawk County.
Beautifully written and masterfully crafted, The Fields is a stunning crime debut.
'Eerie & engaging. One of the best procedurals I've read in a good long while'
Ace Atkins, bestselling author of The Revelators
'The sharp prose and explosive plot immediately drew me in, but the richly textured exploration of life in rural America stayed with me long after I finished. This is a classic crime series in the making'
Cristina Alger, bestselling author of Girls Like Us
'Loved the vivid sense of place. Hints of True Detective & The Silence of the Lambs. EXCELLENT'
Will Dean, bestselling author of The Last Thing to Burn
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In debut author Young's promising if overstuffed series launch, the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office receives a call regarding a days-old bite-covered corpse in a Cedar Falls, Iowa, cornfield. Sgt. Riley Fisher recognizes the victim as former childhood friend Chloe Clark, with whom she hasn't spoken in years. Chloe's husband claims he didn't report her missing because he thought she had left him for another man, but Riley has doubts. Shortly thereafter, a security guard discovers Nicole King's decomposing body at an abandoned meatpacking plant, a human tooth lodged in her thigh. Homeless vet George Anderson's belongings are scattered nearby, but he's nowhere to be found. The investigation's focus shifts to Anderson as a possible serial killer, but Riley fears her team is overlooking something. Departmental infighting, family troubles, state politics, and friction between "Big Ag" and local farmers add to the tale's turmoil. Despite a labored setup and a convoluted denouement, Young delivers a disturbing, twist-riddled thriller stocked with well-drawn characters. Fans of Midwestern crime fiction will be pleased.
Customer Reviews
Cereal killer
3.5 stars
Author
British historical novelist (8 titles as Robyn Young).Debut crime novel (sequel due 2024)
Setting
Rural Iowa, contemporary, summer (i.e. it’s hot and stormy)
Narrative
Third person, mostly from POV of protagonist, Sgt Riley Fisher of Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Dept
Precis
Teenage gal goes missing, fly-blown body of 30-something WF found in cornfield, mutilated body of WF hooker found in old slaughterhouse. Bodies stink up a treat in the heat. 1st vic’s hubby is genetically modified corn researcher. Homeless vets get rashes and go troppo. Cereal killer (sorry) suspected, but cops find no stalks, I mean leads. Our gal has mucho personal and family baggage (what fictional detective doesn’t?). Governor up for re-election, in cahoots with Big Ag (makes a nice change from Big Pharma), doing deals with Beijing. Cue environmental warriors, nasty dudes in black SUVs, yada, yada, more bodies, explosions etc
Characters
Pellagra was well fleshed out (sorry). The human ones were stereotypical, cliched, or both.
Comments
It’s not every day you read a book where a nutritional deficiency disease is one of the lead characters. Patrick O’Brian’s oeuvre comes to mind. (Different vitamin, of course.)
To paraphrase Chekhov, if you introduce a deadly rattlesnake, someone’s gonna get bit.