The Dividing Line (Onyx) by Richard Parrish

Joshua Rabb Mystery #1

by Richard Parrish

Brooklyn-born attorney Joshua Rabb, a lawyer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Tucson, Arizona, is obsessed with learning who brutally raped and murdered three children and a nun--and why. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery

Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1993

Reviews

[Peggy van Wunnik · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like Joshua, the main character. It was a decent premise - a battle-scarred veteran, recently widowed, who needs to move west to benefit his health and in so doing uproots his young children. Formerly an attorney, he starts a new job with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and begins learning about the local Papago tribe and the fact that the resident state Senator pretty much owns the townspeople due to his largesse. On his first visit to the Senator's home, Joshua gets drunk, has sex with a hooker and has to fend off a resulting blackmail attempt. He pretty much wants to have sex with any attractive woman, and I guess we're supposed to feel sympathetic because he's lost his wife. And even though people keep being murdered in his small town, he keeps leaving his children pretty much unattended, especially while he's off having sex. Such a cast of characters: noble Indians, venal politician, hick small-town lawman, corrupt FBI agent, mischievous little boys. There were too many competing plot lines and it just became a big mess. This is not an author I'll seek out twice.

[Barb Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting story - the struggle of the native american tribes in AZ. along with the struggles of a one armed veteran from New York - no wife and raising a young boy & girl. I am glad I didn't read the summary - I like to be surprised. There were brutal murders - terrible high power people kept you wondering who was it??? through the whole book.

[Dan Holley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and great writing style. Another great book series (Joshua Rabb) for learning some history, about suffering, about discrimination, all while enjoying great stories!

[Susie Silveira · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read it because I forgot my current book at home while on vacation. This was in our cabin, so I read it. Not very good writing, to say the least. That's all.

[Taveri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit "To Kill a Mocking Bird," a little bit IHigh Noon," the murders, action and court matters keep the story going.  A one armed lawyer wounded from WWII settles near Tuscon to represent the Papagao Indians and comes up against the Senator illegally taking minerals from their land.  It is set in 1948 so we get a sense of what Tuscon was like then including what played on the raiio.  We also learn some of the Papagao raguage and their Aztecan ancestry.  Tuscon (the black foothils) and Arizona (the Peace of the Little Spings) derive from their words.




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[Steve Gross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange but good - a Jewish lawyer in Tucson in the 1940's

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

A BIA lawyer defends a Papago chief's son in a murder trial. I loved the setting of this novel, but it's not the greatest read.

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story itself was really good, but it does drag quite a bit.

[Michelle Stevens · Rating 1 out of 5]

it was a very depressing book, i kept reading thinking it has to get better but it doesn't,well written but depressing, i have no intension of reading the sequel

[Jackie Simons]

Read 7/94

[Rosemary Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Joshua Rabb has my sympathy....