Le Bénéfice du Doute

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Transitioning from short stories to a novel requires not just endurance but also courage and new skills. Alice Blanchard, acclaimed for her collection The Stuntman's Daughter, showcases her talent in this gripping debut thriller. The story follows Nalen Storrow, a big-city cop who becomes the police chief in the small town of Flowering Dogwood, Maine, seeking a better life for his family. However, the town's high crime rate, highlighted by the murder of a teenage girl with Down's syndrome in 1980, complicates his aspirations. As Nalen's teenage son, Billy, becomes involved with the wrong crowd, local gossip links him to the murder, straining Nalen's marriage. Meanwhile, their daughter Rachel, a bright 9-year-old who idolizes her father, appears to thrive in this new environment. Blanchard excels at character descriptions, capturing the essence of individuals with vivid phrases. As the narrative unfolds, we witness Nalen's world unravel, leading to Rachel's return 18 years later as a police officer. She investigates both the unsolved murder from her childhood and a new case, enriched by poetic references from Poe and Yeats. The blend of tension and lyrical elements leaves readers wanting more.