The Life We Bury

The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens. NY: Seventh Street Books, 2014. 317 pages. ***

College student Joe Talbert has waited until the last minute to choose a subject for his writing assignment in his English class. He heads to Hillview Manor with the hope of interviewing someone there to write a biography. Carl Iverson, a convicted murderer, is a resident at Hillview Manor and is dying of cancer. Joe asks to interview a resident, possibly a war hero, and the last thing he expects is  to question the conviction of a rapist and murderer. Joe's college life is complicated with an alcoholic mother, autistic brother, and the need to earn his tuition money. He doesn't have the time to get involved in a murder committed years ago even if Carl promises to be truthful with Joe.

The Life We Bury is a quick read and enjoyable mystery. Joe's mother is a self-indulgent alcoholic who puts her needs ahead of her sons. The main characters are likable and the interaction between Carl and Joe is well thought out and kept the story moving. Somewhat predictable, it held my attention even if I did guess a possible perpetrator and motive early in the book. (there was a little twist to the resolution). I will look for other books by this author.

I recieved this book as the December read for the Book Hive Book Club.

Allen Eskens grew up in Jefferson City, Missouri, before migrating to attend the University of Minnesota. After graduating with a degree in journalism, he went to law school and eventually settled in Minkato, Minnesota, where he started a law practice and raised his family. He hones his creative-writing skills in the MFA program at Minnesota State University and the Loft Literary Center and the Iowa Summer Writer's Festival. He continues to live quietly in the country near mankato, husband to Joely, father to Mikayla, and pet owner to many.

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