Review: The Stain of Guilt

The Stain of Guilt Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Linda Amey
Class/Genre: Mystery Woman Main Character Amateur Sleuth Thriller
Series: Blair Emerson # 3

This is Linda Amey's third book featuring Blair Emerson, the owner and operator of two funeral homes. These books should be read in order, as there are recurring characters (besides, of course, Blair herself) and the development of their relationships is best followed in sequence.

Blair is still living in her childhood home town, Live Oak, and although she has been freed from some of her duties by hiring a replacement manager for her local funeral home, she is quite busy at work. She is also much troubled by family problems. The consequences of a big-city crime are unfolding in parallel with the developments in Blair's life, eventually leading to more trouble in the little town of Live Oak.

As the title indicates, the author focuses on how the different characters experience and deal with guilt as they work their way through the havoc that follows the publication of a book on Brandi's disappearance.

The book also focuses on the interrelationships among the ideas of public and private; shame and acceptance. I think the author is less successful working out these ideas than she is in making her characters and their responses to their own mistakes and wrong-doing come to life.

The fictional author of the book on Brandi shares a surname with a real true crime writer (perhaps coincidentally; perhaps to emphasize the author's point). This fictional true crime writer is treated as an abuser profiting from the suffering of a child. Yet later, Brandi argues that publicizing a crime victim - 'Elizabeth Smart's family didn't hide ... They held a press conference.' - is in some way avoiding a pretense of normality; it is a way of proving that the victim has nothing to be ashamed of. This is not a point of view I agree with; moreover, I do not think the author was convincing when she depicted Blair as moving from claiming that profiting by writing about a crime was evil in the case of the true crime writer - but (eventually) good in the case of the reporter.

Nevertheless, the book has well-developed, interesting characters, and was an entertaining read. Linda Amey is at her best when she is describing the mental and emotional fallout of tragedy. She also incorporates Blair's religious faith into the story in a very natural and realistic way.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM

Book Review: The Stain of Guilt