A CSI guy (CSIG) review: (4 out of 5 thumbs up)
The Blondelle Arms Murder by: Kathryn Thomas
November 22, 1963 was a bad day for America. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy grabbed the free world by the throat and squeezed. In August 2005, college freshman Nora Adele Platt attended the first class of an experimental forensics course. She did not know a tape-sealed box in the classroom held evidence of a dark secret from her own family history. Nor did she comprehend the web of treachery and betrayal, which bound her inextricably to the day in 1963. It was a bad day for Nora Platt.
The Blondelle Arms Murder is a who-dun-nit novel by author Kathryn Thomas. I would call it a romantic crime-fiction, coming-of-age mystery, with a local history/travel guide included. It also contains a good sampling of sports, humor, and Christian inspiration. Kathryn has polished the many facets of this tale to a fine sheen and crafted a smooth flowing and enjoyable narrative. The mix of genres it turns out is representative of real life.
The CSI aspects included are reasonably accurate. A few deviate from reality (such as the number of whacks to the head necessary to produce blood spatter). But none diverge to such a degree they overpowered my enjoyment of the story. And to be fair, the number of whacks necessary is relative to the force applied in said whacks.
During my career as a Crime Scene Investigator I have mentored many college interns hoping to break into the field of CSI. I have also trained many novice investigators already there. Kathryn accurately reflects the attitudes, worries, foibles, and quirks in her characters that I have seen in those I have taught.
The realism of the characters response to plot devices is believable. Kathryn describes their reactions (internal and exterior) very well. I could relate to Nora’s feelings about dried blood on the victim’s clothing. I found it particularly intriguing.
The interaction between characters is one of this novel’s strong points. I found it especially notable in the relationship portrayed between Nora, her grandfather, and her great-grandfather, and with saveur-locale the Dallas Cowboys.
I cannot easily relate to the emotions of a young woman (since I have never been one). However, I was drawn quickly into the story and found myself empathizing with Nora; rooting for her to overcome the situations she found herself in.
In reading The Blondelle Arms Murder it sometimes seemed I was on a smooth, leisurely bus tour taking in the sights and sounds of Dallas’ present and past. At other times I was in a bone-jarring, body-slamming Hummer on a suicide run through a young woman’s life. This book has a little bit of everything and is well worth reading. I give this novel 4 out of 5 CSIG thumbs up. The slight deviation from CSI reality weakened my rating but the crafting of the tale certainly makes it an enjoyable read.
Filed under: Book Review, CSI Tagged: Assassination of John F. Kennedy, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Dallas Cowboys, Forensic science, Hummer, Kathryn Thomas, Nora, United States
