Enough Rope
by P.L. Doss
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Pub Date Oct 28 2013 | Archive Date Aug 03 2014
Description
During an early morning jog, Atlanta attorney Tom Halloran discovers the body of his friend and colleague, Elliot Carter, hanging from a tree in Piedmont Park. Even worse, the private and dignified Carter is grotesquely dressed in women’s clothes.
Halloran is convinced that Elliot’s death is murder, not a tragic accident of autoerotic asphyxia-gone-wrong. But the medical examiner’s investigator, Hollis Joplin, is skeptical. He knows how difficult it would be to fake that kind of death, and he’s seen too much in his years on the Atlanta streets to be surprised by what people are capable of doing—to themselves or others.
Then two more people die, and the clues lead back to a twenty-year-old kidnapping. The under-staffed Atlanta PD can’t give the case attention unless Carter’s death is ruled a homicide, so Joplin, with an eidetic memory that allows him to recall in three dimensions everything he’s seen, sets out to investigate it himself. Piece by piece, he and the relentless Halloran unravel a tale of greed, revenge, and family secrets—and put themselves right in the crosshairs of a calculating and ruthless killer.
Advance Praise
In Doss’ debut thriller, a lawyer and a medical investigator both suspect that an accidental death is actually the work of a calculating, meticulous killer.
When attorney Elliot Carter’s body is found hanging from a tree, police want to write off the death as autoerotic asphyxiation. But fellow lawyer Tom Halloran believes that his friend was murdered, and though physical evidence doesn’t support his theory, Hollis Joplin of the medical examiner’s office also has his doubts—especially after learning that Elliot’s estranged ex-wife–to-be, Anne, had hired a PI who’s suddenly missing. As Halloran and Joplin each begin an investigation into the mysterious death, Doss’ twisty, curvy plot dishes out the goods: scandalous secrets, including blackmail and extramarital affairs; another death or two that appear to be suicides; and a possible connection to a 20-year-old kidnapping case. The lengthy list of suspects is impressive, and readers won’t find it easy pinpointing the killer’s identity, since no single piece of evidence condemns or clears anyone. The clues, such as Elliot’s visit to a urologist prior to his death, merely push distrust from one person to the next. What makes Halloran and Joplin a fascinating duo is that they aren’t really a duo; they investigate the death—and, before long, deaths—separately. Though the men occasionally swap information, the novel is more often two perspectives of the same case: former cop Joplin, the professional, and Halloran, the novice, though the fact that he’s the executor of Elliot’s will gives him good reason to ask questions. Doss avoids repetition—readers don’t have to watch Halloran and Joplin uncover the same evidence—while providing plenty of drama for the men, since each has a personal link to someone who falls under suspicion. A love triangle with Joplin, resident pathologist Carrie and lady’s man/pathologist Jack can be distracting when it sidetracks Joplin, who’s clearly distraught that Carrie is attracted to Jack, from his investigation, but disrupting the thought process of a man with eidetic memory does add spice to the main storyline.
A murder mystery that sneaks up, takes hold and refuses to let go.
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/p-l-doss/enough-rope-aeFYnxYp/
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Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780989093415 |
| PRICE | $3.99 (USD) |
Links
Average rating from 16 members
Featured Reviews
Lisa M, Reviewer
This book reminded me of the strictly mystery, figure it out books, I read as a teen. There are plenty of clues and lots of people to suspect. I will admit I was suprised at the ending though. The murder was not someone I suspected for quite a while.
The characters in this book were well developed and if you like a mystery this will be a good one to try to figure out. I really liked the character of Joplin. I found myself rooting for him in many situations and I appreciate his dedication to finding the truth of the situation.
Charlie A, Reviewer
I did it. I judged this book by its cover – P.L., get a snazzy cover! – and was I ever in for a surprise! From page one I got up in this mystery with Hollis Joplin and Tom Halloran. It seemed that with every page I turned the mystery of the murders became more complex and the plot thickened. I could not put this book down at all. Any spare moment I got, I was reading this book – even at stoplights to and from work. Sometimes I’d even avoid taking the highway and instead take the service road filled with lights just to get in a few more minutes of reading (thankfully it’s only a few exits to my house!).
When Hollis arrives at the scene of Elliot’s death he tells Halloran that no matter how well you think you know a person, you don’t know them all that well, which is the big idea that leads Halloran through most of the book.
The novel follows a few of the characters, primarily giving insight into the murders and furthering the development and formulation of solving the murders. The novel follows both Joplin and Halloran, and even for a brief moment the new pathologist intern Carrie, who works alongside Joplin’s best friend Jack, conducting autopsies. Halloran is out “playing detective” as Joplin calls it, and eventually shares all of his information with Joplin, but at one point he overplays his hand – and that’s when things start spiraling. Despite that, he and Joplin are in it together to solve the string of murders – and predicting who will be next.
Pictures from long ago resurface – pictures that Joplin’s Chief has seen before when working on a kidnapping twenty years ago, and pictures that Elliot Carter’s wife took to a private investigator. The pictures are an odd twist, but ultimately what helps both Joplin and Halloran put the pieces together.
Joplin and Halloran both set their sights on one particular suspect who is very close to Elliot’s wife. Then Halloran discovers a curve ball, and he and Joplin are left with two prime suspects, but they’ve got a hard judge who won’t grant a search warrant based on what they’ve got, so they riddle it out some more. This is when the two align exactly in concluding who the murderer is and determining the motive. Joplin figures it out first and decides to catch the murderer alone before he/she can strike again…except, he didn’t quite bargain for what he got.
There is a definite focus on prestige, money, appearance and reputation in this book. There is a lot said about Elliot’s wife, Anne, and the circumstances of their marriage, birth of their only child, and recent separation.
I thought I was figuring things out on my own, and knew who the killer was, but I was wrong. I never would have even suspected the killer, not in a million years.
This was a thrilling and wonderfully written murder mystery read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries.
Jen M, Reviewer
Blog review scheduled for May 17, 2014
Enough Rope by P.L. Doss
Tom Halloran, hot-shot lawyer, is taking his normal morning run through the park when he spots a body hanging from a tree. Worse, when he gets closer he recognizes Elliot Carter, his friend and mentor; worse still, Carter is wearing a wig, a bra, and a thong.
When the Medical Examiner's investigator Hollis Joplin arrives, he notes a few irregularities, but the death still looks like autoerotic asphxiation. Halloran, however, continues to insist that his friend would never have committed such a humiliating act and that it must have been murder.
Most of the story moves from Halloran's perspective to Joplin's. Halloran tries to get at the truth, but his efforts sometimes muddle and interfere with Joplin's investigation. Both characters are compelling as they wade through the back story that led to the death of Elliot Carter, not working together, but occasionally sharing information
A twisty puzzle with plenty of suspects and old secrets that have far-reaching effects.
NetGalley
Crime/Mystery. 2013. Print Length: 298 pages.
John M, Educator
The author holds you in her grip as the story unfolds. Can you put it down? No! The story holds you untill the end. What an amazing plot! The reader is held threw the twists and turns, then the unbelievable happens. This is one of those "I can't put down" novels, what will this author produce next? I hope that it is just as riveting. My friends will be told about this book as it is worth sharing with them.
beverly M, Reviewer
It is always exciting to find a new author, and P.L. Doss is quite a find. The characters are sympathetic and the story is exciting. Can't wait until the next in the series!
Jill T, Librarian
Whilst reading this book laundry was not done (although it did continue to multiply), children were not fed, dogs not walked and chickens not let out etc. I was simply unable to put it down, it was that good. The book was really well written, very descriptive and the characters were believable (for the most part). I enjoyed this book immensely and will keep an eye out for other titles by the author. Well done!
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