Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening. Feel free to grab the banner and play along.
This week I’ve chosen the opener from The Fact of a Body by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich
Blurb
Before Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich begins a summer job at a law firm in Louisiana, working on the retrial defence of death-row convicted murderer and child molester, Ricky Langley, she thinks her position is clear. The child of two lawyers, she is staunchly anti death penalty. But the moment Ricky’s face flashes on the screen as she reviews old tapes, the moment she hears him speak of his crimes, she is overcome with the feeling of wanting him to die.
Shocked by her reaction, she digs deeper and deeper into the case, realizing that despite their vastly different circumstances, something in his story is unsettlingly, uncannily familiar. Crime, even the darkest and most unspeakable acts, can happen to any one of us, and as Alexandria pores over the facts of the murder, she finds herself thrust into the complicated narrative of Ricky’s childhood. And by examining minute details of Ricky’s case, she is forced to face her own story, to unearth long-buried family secrets, to reckon with how her own past colours her view of his crime.
As enthralling as true-crime classics such as In Cold Blood and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and broadcast phenomena such as Making a Murderer and Serial, The Fact of a Body is a ground-breaking, heart-stopping investigation into how the law is personal, composed of individual stories and proof that arriving at the truth is more complicated, and powerful, than we could ever imagine. NetGalley
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
First Chapter ~ First Paragraph ~ Intro
Part One: Crime
One
Louisiana, 1992
The boy wears sweatpants the colour of a Louisiana lake. Later, the police will note them as blue, though in every description his mother gives thereafter she will always insist on calling them aqua or teal. On his feet are muddy hiking boots ever boy wears in this part of the state, perfect for playing in the woods. In one small fist, he grips a BB gun half as tall as he is. The BB gun is the Daisy brand, with a long, brown plastic barrel the boy keeps as shiny as if it were real metal. The child of a single mother, Jeremy Guillmory is used to moving often, sleeping in bedrooms that aren’t his.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I’m really curious to read this one, more so now I’ve read the prologue and the full first paragraph that I have shortened above.
What do you think? Would you keep reading?
Definitely!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
I’m currently reading it!
LikeLike
Ooh 😲
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds like it addresses some very important issues, Cleo. And the setting sounds intriguing, too. Lots of ‘food for thought,’ so I’ll be really interested in what you think of it when you’ve finished.
LikeLike
The whole set up intrigues me from the death row debate to the secrets families keep – I’ll let you know 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like my kind of book and I would read on.
sherry @ fundinmental
LikeLike
Excellent news – I thought the subject matter might be too grim for most….
LikeLike
Would totally keep reading.
LikeLike
Excellent news 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That blurb had me hooked and I requested it right away! I have it waiting to read:) I’m looking forward to your thoughts on it!
LikeLike
The whole premise is just so intriguing, I’m so glad I came across it and that you have a copy too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the detailing in that blurb you showcased. Would definitely keep me reading.
LikeLike
It is an unusual starting point to write a book, but oh so very intriguing.
LikeLike
This sounds like a gut-wrenching read. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the subtitle “Murder and a Memoir” on a book before.
LikeLike
I know what a starting point for a book – but yes I suspect it will be incredibly difficult to read in places.
LikeLike
I definitely would keep reading, it sounds gripping…
LikeLike
Doesn’t it? I have to admit a turned a few pages more pages as it is just so compelling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t heard of this one, but I do like the sound of it. I would keep reading. I hope you like it! Thank you for sharing, Cleo. I hope you enjoy the rest of your week!
LikeLike
Thank you Wendy, you too!
LikeLike
The blurb and excerpt definitely captured my interest…I love how visual the descriptions are in the opening paragraph. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.
LikeLike
It is an unusual premise but it sounds so very good!
LikeLike
This book is new to me, but I’m intrigued. I’m off to see if the library has a copy. I’m glad you shared this today.
LikeLike
I think it is out mid-May Margot and I hope your library gets a copy for you 🙂
LikeLike
Nope! And I bet you can guess why! 😉
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not so sure of the intro here but I really like the description so I’d definitely give it a go. Enjoy!
LikeLike
I was just so intrigued by the synopsis
LikeLike
Sounds like a good read. Going to check availability
LikeLike
It does sound very good indeed!
LikeLike
Sounds like a good one = my choice this week is also a murder and a memoir.
LikeLike