Woah! I sure hope there is more! Because A Lonesome Place for Dying by Nolan Chase was truly a wonderful book!
The suspense, mystery and action made this a solid police procedural.
Chase and his compelling writing was great from start to finish.
It was well written and very descriptive. An enjoyably tense page turner, this had me up way too late.
I can’t wait to read from this author in the future.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Blaine, Washington is a small coastal town that's seen only two murders in the last fifteen years, so it's an unpleasant surprise when the body of a young woman is found along the railroad tracks. Did she fall from a passing train, or was she pushed? Was she a stranger from far away, or a local girl with ties to the community? These questions must be answered by the town's new police chief, Ethan Brand. In addition to solving this ever deepening mystery, Brand must contend with complex personal problems, hostility from his own police force, some of whom were hoping to get his job, and death threats in the form of phone calls, and a heart left on his porch.

This was an intriguing piece of crime fiction that reminded me a bit of Chris Offutt's Mick Hardin books. I certainly hope this becomes a series. I'm definitely interested in reading more about some of the characters introduced in this story.

A Lonesome Place for Dying by Nolan Chase

Perfect introduction to a new series…if indeed this IS a new series… This story is filled with small town people doing their best, and their worst, every single day of their lives. Ethan Brand, new on the job as police chief, is faced with a murder to solve. Will those he worked with and now is in charge of treat him with respect? Will he be able to live up to the job? How many will be against him and who will stand with him?

What I liked:
* Ethan Brand: ex-Marine, wounded in battle, fifteen years a policeman, just became police chief, separated from his wife and two sons who live on the East Coast, cool, calm, lethal, romantic, thoughtful, a good man with a few flaws – intriguing – would like to learn more about him
* The small-town community with all the typical issues to be faced by the police in such a town
* The police procedural aspects of the murder mystery and the way clues were unearthed
* That the characters felt believable and there were some I began to care about and would like to know more about
* Ethan’s ability to understand, do what is right, and help those he can – he has a big heart
* The hired assassin’s part in the story and wondering if he might show up in the future
* Wondering how Ethan will settle into being Police Chief and if he will find people to spend time with socially if this is a series
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* That the case was wrapped up – no cliffhanger
* Finding out that this author also writes under the name Sam Wiebe

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how evil some of the characters were and how willing they were to commit the crimes they did

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

A Lonesome Place for Dying: A Novel by Nolan Chase takes the reader to Blaine, Washington, in this very good police procedural. Veteran Ethan Brand has been through some things. He came home, got off the drugs, got on the local police force, and is now 42 years old. He is also now the new chief of police for the town of just over six thousand. The Canadian Border is just north of town with Bellingham, and 90 miles away, Seattle, to the south.

It is April and so the tourists have yet to descend in mass. Things should be somewhat easy on his first day in the new job as he has been on the force for a number of years now and pretty much knows everybody. It also helps he grew up there.

There have been some strange things happening at his house. There is also the stress of being the new boss. Especially when Officer Brenda Lee Paige was skipped over by the former chief, Frank Keogh, when he recommended to the council they appoint, Ethan Brand. Frank’s son, Mal Keogh, also still works in the department and is clearly not ready to recognize Brand as his boss. Frank has also left him the pollical problem as to what to do Officer Cliff Mooney.

He is trying to smooth things over with Brenda Lee, at least a little bit, when Officer Ruiz calls in over the radio and requests assistance out at MO’s Scrapyard on the southeast side of the town. There is a body about a mile and a quarter from the scrapyard. Officer Ruiz was out at the yard on the vandalism call. The owner had thought it was kids and that they were still around on the nearby train tracks. They went looking to see if they could find the kids, or evidence tied into them, and found the body instead.

The deceased woman appears to be in her late twenties. It appears she was stabbed twice in her right side. It was raining until just after midnight and her clothing is dry. There is also no sign of anything around the body. Brand is left to wonder if she, somehow, came off of the train as it rolled by on the tracks a few feet away, or some other way.

What follows is a complicated police procedural that features a lot of world building. Rich and full small town characters including Brand, and a complicated mystery, are all at work here in A Lonesome Place for Dying. It takes familiar tropes, such as the veteran wounded and back home trying to stay sober, and turns them in new ways that reveal depth and nuance of characters. Those side excursions into backstory don’t slow the forward motion of the tale. Instead, they enhance the read.

Everything combines incredibly well together to create a mighty good read. One that hopefully is the start of a series. A Lonesome Place for Dying: A Novel by Nolan Chase is absolutely strongly recommended.


My reading copy was a digital ARC from the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley and was provided with no expectation of a review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2024

In the small town of Blaine, Washington near the border of Canada, not much happens. Until police Chief Ethan Brand’ s first day on the job. He wakes up to find an animal heart and a threatening note on his doorstep, then a young woman is found murdered by the train tracks. Not exactly an easy start to the job! Ethan must find out who is threatening him and who murdered the woman before the town council fires him. Add a crime family, an affair, and a hidden injury, and anything is fair game. To the killers and to the person threatening the new chief.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A nice start to what I suspect will be a police procedural series. Ethan Brand is the new Chief of Police in Blaine, Washington, which is not a sleepy little town. Nope, it's a town filled with all sorts of secrets and personal drama, including Brand's own romantic history. It starts with a heat on Brand's front steps, brought, as it turns out by a coyote that keeps visiting, This, though, is about the murder. A murder that has all sorts of tentacles into the town. Brand's more than a little trope-y but he's a good character. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. It's a slow burn and well done, enough so that I'd like to see another.

Ethan Brand is on his first day as sheriff for Blaine, Washington, and his first case is a murder. Ethan is an Afghan war vet who came home with a partial prosthetic foot which he has managed to keep quiet. He's separated from his wife who took their two boys back to Boston to live. He has recently had an affair with the wife of the local big land developer. But she's gone back to her husband to give their marriage another try.

Ethan was the first choice for sheriff in his mentor's - the previous sheriff's - eyes but a female lead deputy with similar experience also wanted the job and was courting members of the city council to get it. Ethan also has to deal with the mayor's nephew who was one of his deputies until he deliberately lost evidence when a local committed suicide. The previous sheriff left firing him to Ethan knowing that firing him with put him on the outs with the mayor.

Besides the turmoil in the small sheriff's department, a murder will really stretch their resources. It is only the third murder in Ethan's years as a deputy on the force. The body of the young woman was found near the train tracks. She was stabbed to death. With the possibility that she jumped or fell from the train, the investigation needs to widen to include the train and its passengers.

But, once identified, there are local suspects to investigate too. The local crime family, well known for smuggling into and out of Canada, is somewhat diminished with the eldest son in prison and the daughter going straight as a travel agent, but the youngest son is determined to carry on the family legacy of crime.

And while investigating Ethan has to deal with threats that indicate that someone wants him gone - or dead. A threatening note, an elk's heart left at his front door, and potshots taken at his truck keep Ethan on his toes and a little distracted from the investigation into the young woman's death.

This was an engaging and entertaining debut mystery. I liked Ethan and liked that he was coming to terms with his new life as a single man and sheriff. The setting was interesting too.

Nolan Chase, alter ego of acclaimed crime novelist Sam Wiebe, makes a strong debut with this procedural. Ethan Brand, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan who never intended to become a police officer, finds himself the new chief of police in Blaine, Washington when his mentor retires. The town hard against the Canadian border is a hotbed for smuggling and other criminal activity, but Ethan’s facing plenty of problems of his own: a mayor jockeying for favors, a fellow officer who believes (possibly rightly) that she’d make a better chief, a clandestine affair with the wife of one of Blaine’s power brokers. And on day one, there’s a murder when a body is found alongside the railroad tracks leading to British Columbia. Chase weaves the threads together with skill, swiftly establishing Ethan’s many challenges, and he infuses the novel with a terrific sense of place. It builds to a deeply satisfying conclusion. Here’s hoping Ethan returns, and soon.

This is a very good police procedural, and normally I don't like it when there's a lot of the main character's personal life. In this book, it makes a very good story, both because of how things are linked together and as a description of the (excellent) main character.

Nolan Chase brings suspense, mystery, some action, and a solid police procedural to his novel, A Lonesome Place for Dying . Ethan Brand has worked for the Blaine, Washington police force for fifteen years. The book starts with his first day as Chief of Police. However, his day isn’t starting well. He finds a threat on his porch. Another officer, Brenda Lee Page, wanted the job and he needs to talk with her. Before he can get to the station, a body is found near the railroad tracks.

Ethan received a medical discharge from the Marines when he lost part of a foot. The previous chief of police, Frank Keogh, had convinced him to apply for a job as a police officer. While Ethan is considered by some to lack enthusiasm and determination, he is generally good with people and uses force as a last resort. He’s also not great at the politics that’s required of his new job. Will he learn?

This is more of a police procedural than a crime thriller. Additionally, readers also get a good feeling for the relationships between Ethan and several members of the town. The plot is somewhat twisty and occasionally intense. However, there are some slow spots in the first part of the book. Despite this, it flowed reasonably well as readers gained insight into the thoughts, behaviors, and actions of Ethan and the other characters in the story. Themes include murder, love, family, work relationships, political pressure, domestic violence, living beyond your means, trust, power, and much more.

Overall, this is a complex police procedural that has good characterization and a plot that keeps readers turning the pages to see what will happen next. I hope this the first book in a series featuring Ethan. While the main crimes were solved, there were several items that could be threads for future books.

Crooked Lane Books and Nolan Chase provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 07, 2024.

Begins with a mystery out of the gate and moves along a steady pace. Dropped a twist at the end and a few surprises. I really like Ethan, new Chief in small town Blaine, a vet who lost part of his foot to an IED, laid back with plenty of moxy. A Lonesome Place for Dying was like a slow moving Soap Opera providing a few what moments, as well as cheating, murder and more. I get that cheating happens in real life and that in A Lonesome Place for Dying it plays a part, but it doesn't score points for me. The coyote we meet in the beginning and pops up around was a nice touch. I would definitely read another book by Nolan Chase and would hope Ethan could have his series and maybe get a little more integrity in his personal life like he has on the job. Thank you for the arc! I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions. #ALonesomePlaceforDying #NolanChase #CrookedLaneBooks #NetGalley

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I prefer book locations to be real locations instead of a fictional locations. Blaine, Washington is a real city and Ethan Brand is the new police chief at the Blaine Police Department. Day one was a roller coaster including finding a bloody animal heart on his porch after his first shift. Day two the roller coaster continues when a body shows up on the railroad tracks . This is a great first book by Nolan Chase, the artist formerly known as Sam Wiebe. I hope Nolan make this into a series with the second book having some action in it. P.S. - I hope the coyote makes it into the next book.

I enjoy crime thrillers and murder mysteries around small-town crimes and murders, especially if one of the MC’s is in law enforcement, which is what attracted me to this story. While the book summary indicates that Ethan is a new Sheriff for Blaine WA (a small border town on WA and Canada), what it doesn’t indicate is that he spent 15+yrs serving under the former Sheriff and he now has to work with another officer, Brenda Lee, who also vied for the job and thinks she would have made a better Sheriff than Ethan. He also had an affair with the wife, Steph Sinclair, of one of the city council members, Wray Sinclaire who knows about Ethan’s and Steph’s affair and subsequently supported Brenda Lee. He is also no friend or fan of the local crime family, the McCandless family who are #1 suspects for pretty much every crime in town. Lastly, Ethan finds a death threat posted to his front door one morning.

On another note, and I’m not sure I would call this a storyline, there is also a coyote that appears to like hanging around Ethan’s house. The coyote is the one who brought the bloody heart (that turns out to be an elk heart) and left it on Ethan’s porch. Kind of like dogs and cats do when they catch and/or kill something and bring it home to their special “hooman” as a gift (if you’re a cat/dog owner, you may know what I mean). The gesture along with the death threat note that someone tacked up to Ethan’s front door added a little macabre to the scene. Not sure why, but Ethan talks to the coyote like a pet and neither of them seem to be afraid of each other. Very odd!!!

Most of the story revolves around investigating the death of a woman, Laura Dill, who was a passenger on the local train from Vancouver to Bellingham, and who was found dead next to the train tracks. She was also connected to the McCandless family. There is also an escalation in the attempts on Ethan’s life and it’s not clear if it’s because of the investigation of Laura Dill or something else. It’s well into the second half that major revelations are dropped and other storylines begin to merge.

This wasn’t the exciting, intense, and scary crime thrillers and murder mysteries I typically read. This was a classic slow (really slow in some spots) build kind of story. Did I like the story? Yes, I did, hence, my 3star rating. Would I read a second installment if it becomes a series? Maybe. I want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks #ALonesomePlaceforDying

“A Lonesome Place for Dying” by Nolan Chase is a gripping mystery novel that follows Ethan Brand, a new detective in a small town, as he investigates a murder case. The book is a stunning debut novel that introduces a new hero in Ethan Brand, a PNW heartthrob who is determined to find and arrest the murderer or murderers.

The novel’s strength lies in its engaging storytelling and well-developed characters. Chase’s writing style is captivating, drawing readers into the world of the small town and its inhabitants. The author skillfully weaves together the various plot threads, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The book’s focus on the murder case and Ethan’s determination to solve it adds a unique and captivating dimension to the story, making it a must-read for fans of mystery novels. One of the book’s standout features is its emphasis on the murder case and Ethan’s determination to solve it. Chase’s vivid descriptions of the small town and its inhabitants transport readers to the heart of the story, making them feel as if they are part of the investigation.

The author’s attention to detail and her ability to create a vivid and immersive setting are a testament to her expertise in the mystery genre. Overall, “A Lonesome Place for Dying” is a captivating and engaging mystery novel that offers a fresh perspective on the genre. The book’s engaging storytelling, well-developed characters, and vivid descriptions of the small town make it a must-read for fans of mystery novels. Fans of Ethan Brand and those seeking a captivating and immersive mystery novel are likely to enjoy this book and look forward to the next instalment in the series.

*4.5 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

A very interesting read into the Blaine Police Force, the councillors and the wealthy. Ethan had his work cut out for him with the corruption and criminal activity going on in his town and some people against him, but he didn't give up. A shame his personal life didn't turn out differently. Recommend.

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.