3.5 stars. This was a medium paced, engaging read. I would have liked more world building or descriptions of characters, scenes, anything else going on. But it kept my attention, and even around the 70% mark I still wasn’t sure who was responsible for what was going on which made for a strong finish as everything came together.

There's something to be said about the load their job brings to the mental state of cops the world over, if all the cliches about divorced and lonesome cops are true. Sure, within the realm of fiction, it's a common trope, whether you're looking at books or series or movies. But all those tropes and cliches tend to ring true at their core - after all, they exist for a reason.

Ethan Brand, who is probably setting out to be a new series hero, fulfills this role, including the »former war veteran who has seen too much shit« trope as well. Butt it's not overdone, and it makes for a great character. (Which is good, if the author wants to take him further in the next books.) In fact, character development feels absolutely great, to a point where I wondered if this is really a debut novel. Guess what?

It's not. Nolan Chase is the pen name Sam Wiebe took for this new series, probably because his name is tied to his gritty Vancouver novels, and maybe he thinks as a Canadian, he will have a tough time selling books to an American audience, what with the setting leaving Canada and arriving on American soil. (Although just shy of the Canadian border.)

But never mind that, because Sam is an experienced author of gritty crime novels, and with this start of a new series, he proves that he can bring his wit from the city of Vancouver to a more rural setting, along the Washington sea side.

Ethan is an instantly likeable character, although he tends to overshadow the rest of the cast a bit. And the characters are what really shines about this book.

Yes, there is a plot here, and it's quite good as mystery plots go. Nice whodunit, although most of the time we are pretty sure who has done it, but the evidence needs to be found. And the motive is a little unclear, with an interesting twist right at the end that promises more to come in future installments.

I'm reminded a little of Elmore Leonard. As with his books, this story is more about the dialogues and the characters than the plot. And it works! I, for one, will follow the story of Ethan Brand. I recommend you do so, too, if you like this kind of story.

Disclaimer: I’ve received a free Advanced Reader’s Copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

EXCELLENT DEBUT—A MYSTERY WHERE EMOTIONS AND MURDER MIX

It’s Ethan Brandt’s first day on the job … well, first day as Chief of Police, anyway. He had been a detective until Chief Frank Keogh decided to retire and appoint Brandt as his replacement. While Brandt is fine with the promotion, someone in town is not. It’s why he awakens to finding an animal’s heart and a death threat on his front porch. But in no longer time than it takes to say, “Take these to forensics and see what they can find,” there’s an even bigger catastrophe. A young woman is found dead near the railroad tracks that accommodate the scummy art of drug and human trafficking. Murdered by someone mistaking the victim’s neck for a piece of pie, the knife seems to have cut through several arteries before leaving her to bleed her way to a very premature death. Suddenly, the easy-peasy town of Blaine, Washington isn’t so temperate, especially when the mayor openly questions if perhaps Brandt is the wrong man for the job. It’s a signal for Brandt to step up his game and hit several game-winning home runs all while healing from the pain caused by a total eclipse of the heart.

The above is the premise of Chase Nolan’s A LONESOME PLACE FOR DYING. The mystery is the author’s debut novel, and I’d say he’s done an excellent job in introducing readers to Ethan Brandt, a very introspective, soul-searching type of lead character. He's the type of man that wears his heart on his sleeve while slogging through clues and personalities that more times than not clash with his own. But being “authoritative” is a process and one that must be earned. And so this first stage in the development of his new persona begins here, with a severe reflection on his loves and losses, and whether they are the items he carries with him to the next step up the ladder or the baggage he tosses away. There’s also the very real decision to be made on how he talks, addresses, and behaves. Does he treat others how the “old” version of himself has historically done? Or does he fashion an improved model that can effectively deal with his new responsibilities and put him on an equal footing with others he used to consider superiors? And throughout this search for what is relevant, there is the science of murder.

The intertwining of the two cases is nicely handled. In terms of the murder investigation, his team of detectives does credible work in discovering solid leads as to who the victim is, and why someone might have a motive to kill her, but “might” kill isn’t “did” kill. It’s why the investigation needs to go deeper … into interpersonal relationships that are slowly unwrapped. Meanwhile, Brandt keeps his own finger on the pulse of what is going on in the search for the person who wants him dead. The twists and turns of both cases add to the complexity of the plot and keep us mentally hopping. It's all very psychologically engaging to find out what paths he chooses and opts out of in keeping his head above water while in the midst of diving into his tragically intimate memories. This type of character study is right up my alley. Loved the fleshing out of grudges that may have triggered the death threat and the murder, and thoroughly enjoyed the looking under rocks and in basements to discover who did what to whom and why. The pace is a stalking one that adds tension and gives us time to think.

So if you’re looking for a new mystery to sink your teeth into and a new author to embrace, I recommend A LONESOME PLACE FOR DYING. It’s retro in feel and has enough grit to stay with you for long after the last word is read. Nolan Chase has the chops to stick around awhile, and I look forward to reading more. Five stars from me. Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for giving me an ARC copy.

A Lonesome Place to Die:
The first day Ethan Brand took over as the local sheriff of the seaside town of Blaine, a dead woman is discovered beside the railroad tracks.
With just enough red herrings to keep you guessing until the incredibly clever conclusion, this is the ideal whodunit.
My only complaint is the reader is drawn into this gripping tale, then the pace is abruptly interrupted by flashbacks to past relationships, relatives, etc.
An independent review thanks to NetGalley / Crooked Lane Books

I don’t know if there’s a better feeling for a reader than to discover a new author, unless it’s the first reading of an author who already has a body of work. Nolan Chase’s A Lonesome Place for Dying is his debut under that name, but the writing style demonstrates that the author has polished skills. It didn’t take long to learn Chase is Canadian author Sam Wiebe. I hope this is the first book in a successful series. Fans of Craig Johnson’s Longmire series will want to meet Ethan Brand.

After serving two tours in Afghanistan, Brand returned home to Blaine, Washington. But, he came home with an amputated foot, a prosthesis, and quickly became addicted to opioids. Then, Frank Keogh, the local police chief, recruited him. He worked for the police department for fifteen years before Keogh retired and Brand was appointed the new police chief.

There’s resentment. One of his team ran against him. One has been on a two-month suspension, and Brand has to decide to terminate him or not. The mayor is not a fan. The richest man in town supported his opponent. And, on his first day on the new job, he finds a threatening note on his door. There’s even a body discovered by the railroad tracks. There had only been two murders in Blaine in the fifteen years Brand had been on the force. Now, there’s a third, and the mayor is confrontational, saying Brand isn’t up to the job.

Brand’s determined to find a killer. But, he has to contend with animosity on his team, his own uncertainty as to who he can trust, and put all of that aside to further the investigation.

Ethan Brand is a romantic, a man who reflects on his own weaknesses. He’s a lonely man who looked for a blue-eyed coyote as his only friend. But, he has more support in town than he knows, and people will show up to support a police chief who keeps trying.

I loved A Lonesome Place for Dying. I seldom say that, but when I say I’m recommending this book to my brother-in-law, you know it’s one that stands out. Ethan Brand is another lawman in the northern United States, having to deal with economic and border issues. Fans of Longmire will recognize the type.

Ethan Brand is the new chief of police in Blaine,Washington.His first day on the job begins with a blue eyed coyote with a heart in its mouth and a note with a death threat greeting him as he leaves his front porch..Before he can dig into that Ethan has to figure out who is the murderer of the body found on the train tracks outside of town.Ethan’s life is in danger and there are a lot of interconnected lies and secrets in this small quiet town.You will enjoy the characters and action in this novel.I hope we see Ethan Brand in more situations!This book is an action packed mystery with well developed characters.Thank you Nolan Chase and NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for allowing me to read this ARC!

A lonesome Place For Dying is a fabulous first novel for Nolan Chase.
When this book came up on my NetGalley selection I jumped at the chance to read it as the book takes place in Blaine, WA, 20 minutes south of where I live; a town I’m familiar with.
Ethan Brand is the newly appointed police chief of Blaine, WA a quiet town close to the USA-Canadian Border. Previously, he was an officer under the command of Frank Keogh. Ethan’s first day opens with him finding a heart on his front doorstep. Bad omen? And not too long into the morning, a woman is found dead on the railway tracks that run the Vancouver to Seattle route.
As Chief Brand struggles to prove himself the case becomes more complicated with another death. Personally, Brand appears to be the target of an unknown gunman, with shots being fired at him. Throw in a few women, a suspended cop and a travel agent for good measure and it makes for a very interesting read.
Lots of twists and suspense as the story unfolds towards catching the guilty party or parties.
I really enjoyed this novel and I hope Nolan Chase has a follow up one in the works with his Ethan Brand character.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The writer's easy going style and character development more than made up for the quite predictable plot line. I think we'll be hearing more about Sheriff Ethan Brand as a few loose ends where left at the end of this book pointing to more adventures to come.

A small-town murder mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Brand new Sheriff Ethan Brand begins his first day on the job in the small town of Blaine, Washington. To welcome him on his first day, in a town full of crooked town leaders and dangerous drug dealers, a girl’s body is found by the train tracks. Sheriff Brand and his band of deputies, who do not agree with his promotion, begin the murder investigation, that puts each of them in danger. Sheriff Brand also begins receiving gifts on his porch that reveals that someone wants him dead.

Although Ethan was a very flawed main character, I found myself rooting for him. I really wanted this character to grow and change and become a better person. I have a feeling this could be the first book in a series where I really hope that Ethan makes better choices. I enjoyed this book even though I wasn’t a fan of any of the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the Advanced Readers Copy. #NetGalley #ALonesomePlaceForDying

Thoroughly enjoyed this! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Set in a really small Pacific NW town a police detective becomes the chief - a job that came with a big bunch of problems, mostly political and with personality clashes. In his first week there is a murder, a missing person or two, and death threats to the chief. If you like these kinds of novels you'll prob really like this one. The last chapter was a kicker! A great, entertaining read.

I am very glad I picked this book up as it was more than worth the time reading. A new sheriff is in town, and it seems everyone has an angle with him, and many would not like him to succeed. Ethan Brand juggles all of the town's needs and wants that are very diverse all while trying to solve a murder that occurred down at the train tracks that seemingly has left little evidence. It is a very engaging book that makes you want to keep the pages turning. I finished this in a few days as I really wanted to see where the story went. Ethan Brand is a well-developed protagonist with his faults, but his conscience leads the way. I look forward to reading much more from this author.

Engaging! A Lonesome Place for Dying is a classic small town murder mystery, with a unique Pacific Northwest setting. Add in a slightly reluctant, but very capable, newly appointed Sherriff (Ethan Brand), and an eclectic community, and you have a thoroughly enjoyable novel. The dialogue has so much flavor and authenticity I often found myself chuckling, sometimes at the most inopportune times. While dealing with his own personal baggage at home and on the job, Ethan must also contend with the diverse citizens of Blaine, who themselves have their own baggage, and often their own agenda. On his first day on the job, a woman's body is discovered in a lonely section of town. Ethan is determined to find and arrest the murderer or murderers and give the victim's family justice. As if trying to solve the mystery while dealing with regular happenings in town isn't enough to have on his plate, someone is actively trying to kill him. An awesome debut novel by Nolan Chase, with great series potential. A true page-turner and who done it. Bravo! I enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it. Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC.