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by Ed Lynskey A Clear Path to Cross is a selection of short stories that author Ed Lynsky has put together featuring Private Eye Sharon Knowles. Most of these stories have previously been published in papers or online mystery zines. Some of the stories showcase Sharon's career as a PI and in others her story is told from the perspective of her time as a homicide detective. Sharon is a strong woman who’s had a hard life. Her softer side shows in her love for her cats. She is a jogger who lives in VA, near Washington DC. From the first story, "Nine Green Fingers," you learn that although she is not a police official anymore, the police still rely on her help with their tougher cases. "Nine Green Fingers" has an ending that may shock and surprise you, and it illustrates Sharon’s need to be strong. The main character remains consistent right through the tale, "Collection Agency," in which she shows what a tough cookie she really is as she deals with tough economic times and clients who aren’t paying their bills—including a bank in financial trouble. In "Carrot Crazy" Sharon takes her cat to the veterinarian because the cat seems to want to eat carrots! The vet wonders if the cat is a feline vegetarian. Little did Sharon know that for her next case, carrots would provide an essential answer to solving a murder! The beauty of this type of format is that you can read the stories in order and enjoy them, or just pick up the book and choose any story and find that it reads well as a stand alone mystery. Each tale is a mini-mystery unto itself, revealing more about PI Sharon Knowles’ life and personality as you learn why she reacts so strongly to violent crime. A Clear Path to Cross is very much a noir type of book. You know right away that Sharon is a tough-edged, hard-nosed former police officer, and is now a gumshoe in her own right. There are other recurring characters, including her godfather, Captain MacSorley, now in charge of the police department, and her friend, Ray Butcher, who free-leases her office space as a trade for security. Dialogue is sparse, but the description is strong and the stories move right along. There is plenty of action to be found along the way. Recommended for noir buffs in particular and to those who love to pick up a mystery and read one short story at a time and find satisfaction in a quick resolution, while getting to know one character who is the feature of each story. |
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A Clear Path to Cross