This week, I’m linking up again with Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea who hosts a post every Tuesday for people to share the first chapter / paragraph of the book they are reading, or thinking of reading soon. In really enjoy these tasters when I read them on other blogs so wanted to join in.
This week I’m reading Salt River by James Sallis, one of my favourite authors because – well – I haven’t read anything by him for a while and I was itching to. There are a few of his books sat on my Kindle and Salt River is the last of a trilogy featuring former detective Turner. Here’s what it’s about…
Two years have passed since Turner’s amour, Val Bjorn, was shot as they sat together on the porch of his cabin. Sometimes you just have to see how much music you can make with what you have left, Val had told him, a mantra for picking up the pieces around her death, not sure how much he or the town has left. Then the sheriff’s long-lost son comes plowing down Main Street into City Hall in what appears to be a stolen car. And waiting at Turner’s cabin is his good friend, Eldon Brown, Val’s banjo on the back of his motorcycle so that it looks as though he has two heads. “They think I killed someone,” he says. Turner asks: “Did you?” And Eldon responds: “I don’t know.” Haunted by his own ghosts, Turner nonetheless goes in search of a truth he’s not sure he can live with.
And here’s how it starts…
Sometimes you just have to see how much music you can make with what you have left. Val told me that, seconds before I heard the crash of her wineglass against the porch floor, looked up, and only then became aware of the shot that preceded it, two years ago now.
What do you think? Would you keep reading?
Emma
One Readers Thoughts 
Ohhhh, I love that first sentence: “Sometimes you just have to see how much music you can make with what you have left” Beautiful!
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Me too. I thought it was a great line.
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Emma, I liked your intro and I am now curious to learn more. Hoping you enjoy this one.
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I really am. I just love Sallis.
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Not read this author, but I am intrigued by this intro and the blurb. 🙂
Stormi
Tuesday Teaser
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He’s well worth trying if you like noir type fiction. I do love his books.
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Absolutely – that intro has certainly grabbed my attention!
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Doesn’t it? I just couldn’t wait to start.
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I’ve never read James Sallis, but this sounds really good. Enjoy!
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I can’t recommend him enough if you like noir fiction. He’s pared back and dark which I like.
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Oh, how sad! And I definitely want to know more. Thanks for sharing…and here’s mine: “THE MELODY LINGERS ON”
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It was…I hope he gets a happy ending here but I doubt it.
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That one certainly would reel me in. Hope you go on enjoying it and thank you for sharing.
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Thanks for visiting. I just can’t get enough of his books.
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It’s always a fabulous feeling when you settle into a book from a much-loved author, isn’t it?
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Absolutely. Like meeting an old friend.
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I would definitely want to read more. Sounds like a good one. Hope you enjoy it. Have a great week.
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I hope it’s a fitting ending to the trilogy, it’s been a good one. Thanks for visiting. 😄
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Great first paragraph. It pulled me in with the promise of a good story. Hope it lives up to my expectations.
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I hope so too…though he hasn’t let me down yet!
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What a sad and terrifying memory. I would keep reading. I like the sound of this one very much. Thanks for sharing!
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It was so sad. I remember being shocked when it happened in the second book.
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A new to me author but a powerful beginning.
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He is definitely worth picking up if you like noir fiction but maybe not for everyone.
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