The Sacrifice of Lester Yates
A Novel
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4.7 • 12 Ratings
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- $22.99
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- $22.99
Publisher Description
** Finalist for the 2022 Dashiell Hammett Award for Literary Excellence in Crime Writing **
Lester Yates is the notorious Egypt Valley Strangler, one of the country’s most prolific serial killers. Or, is he? Yates is two months from his date with the executioner when Ohio Attorney General Hutch Van Buren is presented with evidence that could exonerate him. But Yates is a political pawn, and forces exist that don’t want him exonerated, regardless of the evidence. To do so could derail presidential aspirations and change the national political landscape. Yates’ execution will clear a wide political path for many influential people, including Van Buren, who must battle both the clock and a political machine of which he is a part.
Robin Yocum has been compared with E. Annie Proulx for his authenticity of place, and Elmore Leonard for his well-laid plots and perfect pacing. Arcade is thrilled to publish The Sacrifice of Lester Yates, which is Yocum at his best: suspenseful, political, and smart.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Yocum's so-so sequel to 2011's Favorite Sons finds Hutchinson Van Buren, Ohio's attorney general, on the verge of a monumental career move. With Ohio governor Big Jim Wilinski about to announce his candidacy for president—and with his promise to make Van Buren the U.S. attorney general if he's elected—the principled Van Buren is faced with a moral dilemma. With a convicted murderer, Lester Yates, presumed to be the infamous serial killer nicknamed the Egypt Valley Strangler, just weeks away from being executed, Van Buren has reason to believe that Yates is innocent and someone close to the governor may be involved with one or more of the Egypt Valley Strangler murders. Does he let an innocent man die, or jeopardize his career aspirations by potentially derailing Wilinski's campaign? While the writing is strong—especially the stark Rust Belt atmospherics—Van Buren is flat and lacks emotional depth. Coupled with a story line that at points strains the boundaries of believability, this political thriller is as forgettable as the main character. Yocum has done better.
Customer Reviews
A feel good detective story
This is a great read. Although somewhat predictable, suspense around whether or not Lester Yates was guilty, and if not, who was/were the real killers, was not paramount to the enjoyment of the story. It was intriguing to see how the story would unfold, and how the case would be solved. The characters were varied, and interesting. It was an easy read, and I was always happy to find some time to get back to reading it.