What do you think?
Rate this book
Where The Broken Lie
Who killed Katie Cooper?
When Tucker Gaines returns to his hometown of Willow Grove to grieve the death of his infant son, memories of the murder of Katie, his childhood sweetheart, are ignited. In spite of her death being blamed on a disturbed drifter known as Slim Jim, Tucker has always wondered if the real killer is still out there. With new clues arriving through anonymous letters left at the graveyard, Tucker is certain that Katie's death is truly unsolved. While coming to terms with the loss of his son, Tucker also seeks truth. But the real killer may still be out there, willing to kill again to protect a dark secret.
Where The Broken Lie shines a spotlight on small-town secrets, faith, fear, love and loss in this enigmatic journey into the scarred hearts left behind.
When Tucker Gaines returns to his hometown of Willow Grove to grieve the death of his infant son, memories of the murder of Katie, his childhood sweetheart, are ignited. In spite of her death being blamed on a disturbed drifter known as Slim Jim, Tucker has always wondered if the real killer is still out there. With new clues arriving through anonymous letters left at the graveyard, Tucker is certain that Katie's death is truly unsolved. While coming to terms with the loss of his son, Tucker also seeks truth. But the real killer may still be out there, willing to kill again to protect a dark secret.
Where The Broken Lie shines a spotlight on small-town secrets, faith, fear, love and loss in this enigmatic journey into the scarred hearts left behind.
180 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
30 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
Derek Rempfer
4 books16 followersDerek Rempfer's debut novel - Where The Broken Lie - was previously self-published under the title Hearts Left Behind where it was quickly discovered and picked-up by Immortal Ink Publishing. Notable highlights for the self-published version of the novel include:
***Top 5 free download in Literary Fiction category on Amazon
***Named to The Short List for Finalists for a Faulkner-Wisdom award
***5 star review from Indie Reader (http://indiereader.com/2013/12/hearts...)
***Book of the Month award winner from the Association of Independent Authors
FROM READERS AND REVIEWERS:
"[WHERE THE BROKEN LIE] is heartbreaking and hypnotic. Author Derek Rempfer conveys the parent-child relationship with haunting power, highlighting with deep sensitivity and extraordinary insight, just how children create their parents and even become them ..." - Indie Reader
"This story will definitely live on in readers' hearts long after they finish reading." - The Portland Review
"I have rarely found a book as beautifully written as this one. The prose is closer to poetry than some that claim to be poetry. And the poetry is sheer music. I found myself highlighting sections so I could re-read them later. And then I did re-read them with the same joy as the first time. If that had been all, if the story hadn't been so well told, if I hadn't become friend with Tucker & his neighbors & his sleepy little town, it would have been enough. But it was. And I did. And I feel richer because of it." - Amazon Review
"This book is a must read for anyone who has lost a loved one. Especially a child. Tucker's journey to find peace is inspiring." - Amazon Review
"I just finished this book this morning in tears. It is heart-breakingly beautiful. This is the kind of story that just doesn't come from the imagination but from experience in one form or another. It just has to be... I loved how the author drew me into his world and walked me along with memories bring me to a place I could only sit and contemplate...If this is what we can come to expect from this author, i tip my hat and look forward to more from him." - Amazon Review
"A great book about Motherhood and loss and death. Great insight into grief of a Mother when her child dies. Very timely in my life as have been following a woman online whose daughter just died." - Amazon Review
"An excellent, at times heart-wrenching, read that will keep the pages flying by, only to be almost disturbingly surprised at the shocking resolution to a 20-year-old mystery." - Amazon Review
Where The Broken Lie will be available in November 2014!
Be notified when Where The Broken Lie becomes available: http://bit.ly/1qkRTYa
Website: http://derekrempfer.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DerekRempfer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derek.rempfe...
***Top 5 free download in Literary Fiction category on Amazon
***Named to The Short List for Finalists for a Faulkner-Wisdom award
***5 star review from Indie Reader (http://indiereader.com/2013/12/hearts...)
***Book of the Month award winner from the Association of Independent Authors
FROM READERS AND REVIEWERS:
"[WHERE THE BROKEN LIE] is heartbreaking and hypnotic. Author Derek Rempfer conveys the parent-child relationship with haunting power, highlighting with deep sensitivity and extraordinary insight, just how children create their parents and even become them ..." - Indie Reader
"This story will definitely live on in readers' hearts long after they finish reading." - The Portland Review
"I have rarely found a book as beautifully written as this one. The prose is closer to poetry than some that claim to be poetry. And the poetry is sheer music. I found myself highlighting sections so I could re-read them later. And then I did re-read them with the same joy as the first time. If that had been all, if the story hadn't been so well told, if I hadn't become friend with Tucker & his neighbors & his sleepy little town, it would have been enough. But it was. And I did. And I feel richer because of it." - Amazon Review
"This book is a must read for anyone who has lost a loved one. Especially a child. Tucker's journey to find peace is inspiring." - Amazon Review
"I just finished this book this morning in tears. It is heart-breakingly beautiful. This is the kind of story that just doesn't come from the imagination but from experience in one form or another. It just has to be... I loved how the author drew me into his world and walked me along with memories bring me to a place I could only sit and contemplate...If this is what we can come to expect from this author, i tip my hat and look forward to more from him." - Amazon Review
"A great book about Motherhood and loss and death. Great insight into grief of a Mother when her child dies. Very timely in my life as have been following a woman online whose daughter just died." - Amazon Review
"An excellent, at times heart-wrenching, read that will keep the pages flying by, only to be almost disturbingly surprised at the shocking resolution to a 20-year-old mystery." - Amazon Review
Where The Broken Lie will be available in November 2014!
Be notified when Where The Broken Lie becomes available: http://bit.ly/1qkRTYa
Website: http://derekrempfer.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DerekRempfer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derek.rempfe...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 26, 2014
This novel, a first for author Derek Rempfer, is categorized as a literary-mystery and it does not disappoint on either count. It is a compelling mystery--that is complex without getting unduly complicated--framed by beautiful writing, including poetry! The author created space for both the main characters' (Tucker) story of loss, that feels palpable, yet doesn't rely on empty profanity or saccharine sentiment, to come alive alongside the shocking mystery. As Tucker becomes detective, the author weaves the tragic and the puzzle together adeptly, always respectful of each piece. I realize either story thread could stand alone and be further embellished into two stand alone books. But, Rempfer gives us a skillfully realized literary-mystery that could thirdly serve as a touch-point of healing for anyone who has ever endured the loss of a child.
The mystery is solved. But, deep, heart questions linger at the end. And, even though I knew 'whodunnit' at its conclusion, I still returned to the beginning to take another taste of highlighted passages. Not every book warrants highlighting or turned down pages, but also, very few authors lay words down in a way that make me gasp, smile, wonder, cry and ponder like Derek Rempfer has in Where the Broken Lie.
The mystery is solved. But, deep, heart questions linger at the end. And, even though I knew 'whodunnit' at its conclusion, I still returned to the beginning to take another taste of highlighted passages. Not every book warrants highlighting or turned down pages, but also, very few authors lay words down in a way that make me gasp, smile, wonder, cry and ponder like Derek Rempfer has in Where the Broken Lie.
November 30, 2014
It isn't often that you can turn loss into art... Derek Rempfer does a great job of wrapping his heart into a story. The added mystery and poetry keeps you reading and turning the page... I thought it was multiple OTHER characters that "did it", and I'm not real sure why it was that one that did... Strange twist that worked out well, but still leaves you wondering!
December 20, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It is definitely not my usual fare (I'm usually more of a science fiction/fantasy/techno thriller kinda guy), but I was drawn into the story and the characters, and found it hard to put down. Well done! I'll be watching for this author's next work.
December 7, 2014
BOOK REVIEW: 'Where the Broken Lie': Secrets Are Buried, but Close to the Surface in a Small Illinois Town
Everybody knows about Southern Gothic, a popular literary form for fiction and motion pictures, but Prairie Gothic is also something to be reckoned with, as Derek Rempfer shows so eloquently in his novel "Where the Broken Lie" (Immortal Ink Publishing LLC, 180 pages, $10.95, also available in a $3.95 Kindle edition from Amazon.com).
Tucker Gaines, his wife Tammy, and their young daughter Tory, have traveled from their home in the far west Chicago suburb of Westfield to Tucker's hometown, Willow Grove. (Both towns are fictitious, but are based on real places in northeastern Illinois, as is the town of Glidden).
They're visiting the grave of Tucker and Tammy's stillborn infant boy, Ethan. At first I wondered why Ethan was buried so far from their home, but it quickly came to me: Willow Grove is where almost all the Gaineses -- living and dead -- reside. Westfield is an anonymous suburb, where almost everybody is from somewhere else.
While in the cemetery -- with Tammy and Tory back in Westfield -- Tucker visits the grave of Katie Cooper, his childhood sweetheart. Officially, Katie was abducted in 1981 at the age of 11, molested and murdered by a drifter known to everybody as Slim Jim. But soon, as he interacts with his friends and not-so-friends who still live in Willow Grove, Tucker begins to doubt the official story of Katie's death.
Some of the clues come from Tucker's conversations -- many of them at the bar where Tucker consumes too many vodka tonics -- with people who never left Willow Grove. Other clues come from anonymous letters left at graves, including that of Slim Jim, where one letter reads simply "INNOCENT." Why is Slim Jim buried in the same graveyard as Katie? That's one question that the author answers as the story of what really happened unfolds.
Growing up in a small town not far from the fictional Willow Grove, I heard of the secrets that lie buried just below the surface. Rempfer's narrative rings true as Tucker Gaines investigates Katie's death, while grieving for his son. As he comes close to the truth of what really happened back in 1981, Tucker wonders if he should proceed. The truth is too close to home and he wonders if it's worth digging up what really happened so many years ago.
Whether you're from Illinois or Idaho or wherever, I'm guessing you'll recall the whispered secrets of your hometown -- and see how Tucker handles the truth of who killed his first love. I think you'll become as engrossed with the story as I did.
Everybody knows about Southern Gothic, a popular literary form for fiction and motion pictures, but Prairie Gothic is also something to be reckoned with, as Derek Rempfer shows so eloquently in his novel "Where the Broken Lie" (Immortal Ink Publishing LLC, 180 pages, $10.95, also available in a $3.95 Kindle edition from Amazon.com).
Tucker Gaines, his wife Tammy, and their young daughter Tory, have traveled from their home in the far west Chicago suburb of Westfield to Tucker's hometown, Willow Grove. (Both towns are fictitious, but are based on real places in northeastern Illinois, as is the town of Glidden).
They're visiting the grave of Tucker and Tammy's stillborn infant boy, Ethan. At first I wondered why Ethan was buried so far from their home, but it quickly came to me: Willow Grove is where almost all the Gaineses -- living and dead -- reside. Westfield is an anonymous suburb, where almost everybody is from somewhere else.
While in the cemetery -- with Tammy and Tory back in Westfield -- Tucker visits the grave of Katie Cooper, his childhood sweetheart. Officially, Katie was abducted in 1981 at the age of 11, molested and murdered by a drifter known to everybody as Slim Jim. But soon, as he interacts with his friends and not-so-friends who still live in Willow Grove, Tucker begins to doubt the official story of Katie's death.
Some of the clues come from Tucker's conversations -- many of them at the bar where Tucker consumes too many vodka tonics -- with people who never left Willow Grove. Other clues come from anonymous letters left at graves, including that of Slim Jim, where one letter reads simply "INNOCENT." Why is Slim Jim buried in the same graveyard as Katie? That's one question that the author answers as the story of what really happened unfolds.
Growing up in a small town not far from the fictional Willow Grove, I heard of the secrets that lie buried just below the surface. Rempfer's narrative rings true as Tucker Gaines investigates Katie's death, while grieving for his son. As he comes close to the truth of what really happened back in 1981, Tucker wonders if he should proceed. The truth is too close to home and he wonders if it's worth digging up what really happened so many years ago.
Whether you're from Illinois or Idaho or wherever, I'm guessing you'll recall the whispered secrets of your hometown -- and see how Tucker handles the truth of who killed his first love. I think you'll become as engrossed with the story as I did.
January 12, 2017
Where the Broken Lie
Every family has secrets, some good but mostly bad because human nature tends to brag about the good and hope no one ever learns the bad. Tucker and Tammy have a daughter and anxiously awaiting the birth of their son. When he is stillborn Tucker begins drinking to drive away the pain. Then he takes a leave of absence from work and returns to his grandparents home where he grew up in hopes of getting over the loss of his son. Instead it brings back memories of his first adolescent sweetheart who was raped and murdered and a transient hobo was murdered in jail waiting to be tried for her death. Heavy drinking, violent nightmares and childhood memories awaken doubts about her death and Tucker tries to decipher what it all means. Love, family, happiness and sadness all combine to make a very interesting storyline.
Every family has secrets, some good but mostly bad because human nature tends to brag about the good and hope no one ever learns the bad. Tucker and Tammy have a daughter and anxiously awaiting the birth of their son. When he is stillborn Tucker begins drinking to drive away the pain. Then he takes a leave of absence from work and returns to his grandparents home where he grew up in hopes of getting over the loss of his son. Instead it brings back memories of his first adolescent sweetheart who was raped and murdered and a transient hobo was murdered in jail waiting to be tried for her death. Heavy drinking, violent nightmares and childhood memories awaken doubts about her death and Tucker tries to decipher what it all means. Love, family, happiness and sadness all combine to make a very interesting storyline.
November 12, 2016
The author did a great job with the story. The added mystery and poetry keeps you listening to the audiobook.. Full of suspense all through the book
January 3, 2016
Quite an intriguing storyline involving death and what we remember during those moments in time. I was not expecting this much mystery but I was pleasantly surprised as it was enticing and fast-paced. There were several mentions of the 'monsters inside us' and I felt that I understood what was meant by that near the end of the novel. Honestly, I have thoughts inside me that aren't as deep and mortifying but still scary to think about and what will finally release me of those monsters.
I found the theme of innocence to be prevalent - both of children and the wrongly accused. Looking back on my childhood, especially now that the holidays have just passed, I remember how some details didn't matter or register until much later in life when I could make sense of it. Very similar to Tucker and other children in the story.
The flashbacks gave great context on Tucker's experience as a child and an adult where death seemed to follow him - potentially how his monsters developed. It is fascinating how death affects us in different ways, and we see that with multiple characters in this novel.
Read Where the Broken Lie if you like the themes of:
Mystery
Childhood
Justice
I found the theme of innocence to be prevalent - both of children and the wrongly accused. Looking back on my childhood, especially now that the holidays have just passed, I remember how some details didn't matter or register until much later in life when I could make sense of it. Very similar to Tucker and other children in the story.
The flashbacks gave great context on Tucker's experience as a child and an adult where death seemed to follow him - potentially how his monsters developed. It is fascinating how death affects us in different ways, and we see that with multiple characters in this novel.
Read Where the Broken Lie if you like the themes of:
Mystery
Childhood
Justice
September 8, 2015
Thought provoking life story
Where the Broken Lie is a well written story of life's gravest, most tragic losses and how individuals cope or fail to cope with it. The story draws you into the characters and makes the reader a part of them. It shows the best of characters and the lowest as well. It shared moments of happiness and good times and well as those of guilt, death, and illness and the impacts those events have on us. He shows how people can hide behind a bright colored cloak many deeds and emotions.
The author has a great skill in defining feelings and thoughts of his characters.
This is a book well worth a reader's time. It will leave you shaking your head and still pondering the story long after you have fin nished
Where the Broken Lie is a well written story of life's gravest, most tragic losses and how individuals cope or fail to cope with it. The story draws you into the characters and makes the reader a part of them. It shows the best of characters and the lowest as well. It shared moments of happiness and good times and well as those of guilt, death, and illness and the impacts those events have on us. He shows how people can hide behind a bright colored cloak many deeds and emotions.
The author has a great skill in defining feelings and thoughts of his characters.
This is a book well worth a reader's time. It will leave you shaking your head and still pondering the story long after you have fin nished
September 12, 2015
I enjoyed the way this book was written . I liked the wordings and his poems in the book. A man returns to his home town after his son dies at birth. Home to search for who really killed his childhood sweetheart. At the cemetery he sees a note attached to a headstone and reads it. Prompting him to write and answer back. Starting a slue of cemetery letters to happen. The answer who really killed his young friend is shocking to say the least.
January 4, 2016
Normally I don't enjoy reading books written in the present tense but "Where The Broken Lie" is the exception.
I could fill this review with some of the beautiful poetry and quotes but I will only include my favourite,"To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die".
This is such a sad, heart-breaking story and you can feel Tucker's pain and suffering. However, in the end it is also an up-lifting tale.
I will certainly look out for more of Mr. Rempfer's books.
I could fill this review with some of the beautiful poetry and quotes but I will only include my favourite,"To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die".
This is such a sad, heart-breaking story and you can feel Tucker's pain and suffering. However, in the end it is also an up-lifting tale.
I will certainly look out for more of Mr. Rempfer's books.
January 24, 2016
An amazing Debut novel
I always enjoy trying out new authors and their debut novels. This was a great book. The words and storyline flowed effortlessly. The ending was a surprise. Didn't see that one coming. Look forward to more works from this author. Beautiful and thought provoking writing style. Great work Mr. Rempfer
I always enjoy trying out new authors and their debut novels. This was a great book. The words and storyline flowed effortlessly. The ending was a surprise. Didn't see that one coming. Look forward to more works from this author. Beautiful and thought provoking writing style. Great work Mr. Rempfer
December 16, 2014
Great read
What a surprise ending! I could not put this book down! Each chapter leaves you wanting more. I really hated for it to end. Makes you reach inside your own mind for forgotten truths that may be buried there.
What a surprise ending! I could not put this book down! Each chapter leaves you wanting more. I really hated for it to end. Makes you reach inside your own mind for forgotten truths that may be buried there.
January 4, 2016
To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die. This book is felt with the heart. I would recommend it. It's a quick read that once you're finished you want to re-read if for no other reason than the poetry. For some reason it reminded me of how I felt after reading Marley and Me.
January 2, 2015
An impressively-written story, demonstrating a good grasp on human nature's good and bad qualities. The description of the setting is at least as helpful as the character development.
February 20, 2015
I got this book in a Goodreads Giveaway...It was a really good read.Quite sad in parts but it was also thought provoking. I would recommend it.....
January 17, 2016
Quick read. I really enjoyed this story. You have a man dealing with grief from two different eras of his life, seeking answers.
January 29, 2017
I thought this
I thought this an excellent read . it was well written, and held my interest. Don't think that I have ever read a story in " a one person" theme .
I thought this an excellent read . it was well written, and held my interest. Don't think that I have ever read a story in " a one person" theme .
October 9, 2018
Heartwrenching!!
One of the best I've read in a very long time. Absolutely loved it. Can hardly wait for his next one.
One of the best I've read in a very long time. Absolutely loved it. Can hardly wait for his next one.
September 28, 2018
Данная книга является дебютной для автора.
Главный герой, некий Такер Гейнс, приезжает в свой родной городок чтобы хоть немного развеяться и привести голову в порядок после потери своего сына, который задохнулся при родах из-за обвившейся вокруг шеи пуповины. Боль и страдания главного героя подчёркивают вставленная местами поэзия автора. Но, оказывается, это не первая утрата в жизни Такера, и хотя первая была не такая болезненная, однако именно она выходит на первый план, т.к. произошла в подростковом возрасте главного героя именно в его родном городке, в который он вернулся. Постепенно воспоминания превращаются в расследование. Главному герою придётся копаться в своём прошлом и прошлом своих родственников, встречать своих детских врагов, делать хорошие дела и прочее...
Слушал эту книгу с пол-года назад, и, наверняка, многие моменты уже забылись, но могу точно сказать, что первый блин не комом. Отличная книга, наполненная грустью, болью потери и, одновременно с этим достаточно интересным детективным сюжетом. Книга, которую хочется читать и слушать, которая не отпускает до самого конца.
Главный герой, некий Такер Гейнс, приезжает в свой родной городок чтобы хоть немного развеяться и привести голову в порядок после потери своего сына, который задохнулся при родах из-за обвившейся вокруг шеи пуповины. Боль и страдания главного героя подчёркивают вставленная местами поэзия автора. Но, оказывается, это не первая утрата в жизни Такера, и хотя первая была не такая болезненная, однако именно она выходит на первый план, т.к. произошла в подростковом возрасте главного героя именно в его родном городке, в который он вернулся. Постепенно воспоминания превращаются в расследование. Главному герою придётся копаться в своём прошлом и прошлом своих родственников, встречать своих детских врагов, делать хорошие дела и прочее...
Слушал эту книгу с пол-года назад, и, наверняка, многие моменты уже забылись, но могу точно сказать, что первый блин не комом. Отличная книга, наполненная грустью, болью потери и, одновременно с этим достаточно интересным детективным сюжетом. Книга, которую хочется читать и слушать, которая не отпускает до самого конца.
August 24, 2018
Review of Where the Broken Lie
The novel includes many mysteries to wonder about. The narrator talks of them like we should know what he's talking about, but doesn't explain until later. The loss of his son is different than I imagined as is the killer of his childhood friend. This novel is very well-written. I recommend it.
The novel includes many mysteries to wonder about. The narrator talks of them like we should know what he's talking about, but doesn't explain until later. The loss of his son is different than I imagined as is the killer of his childhood friend. This novel is very well-written. I recommend it.
June 21, 2021
A Strange & Thought Provoking Story
A very strange and unsettling story. I would really describe it as showing the darkness that lurks in human hearts. How well do we know the people around us, how well do we even know ourselves ? The writer manages to capture the depths of grief, loss, anger, evil, delusion - very unsettling indeed.
A very strange and unsettling story. I would really describe it as showing the darkness that lurks in human hearts. How well do we know the people around us, how well do we even know ourselves ? The writer manages to capture the depths of grief, loss, anger, evil, delusion - very unsettling indeed.
May 17, 2018
Shocked
Whoa. I didn't see that coming! This book was very well written(aside from quite a few editing issues). The secret, once revealed, was a little emotionally difficult to process, but the writing of it was handled well. It was just -- whoa.
Whoa. I didn't see that coming! This book was very well written(aside from quite a few editing issues). The secret, once revealed, was a little emotionally difficult to process, but the writing of it was handled well. It was just -- whoa.
April 23, 2016
Spoiler Alert!!!!!!
I actually this book even though I wanted to stop listening to it. But I wanted to know how Katie and his son had died. It's crazy how his grandfather was the murder and got away with it. Then when his grandson found out, he ran away and killed himself??? I'm guessing. Like wow, he took his grandson first love away from him just because he wanted to be a pedophile and then lied in Tuckers face when he asked will he find her. I had thought maybe she got killed on her way home not when she went looking for Tucker, So sad. I wouldn't forgive him either he knew he was wrong. Well maybe forgive but not forget.
I actually this book even though I wanted to stop listening to it. But I wanted to know how Katie and his son had died. It's crazy how his grandfather was the murder and got away with it. Then when his grandson found out, he ran away and killed himself??? I'm guessing. Like wow, he took his grandson first love away from him just because he wanted to be a pedophile and then lied in Tuckers face when he asked will he find her. I had thought maybe she got killed on her way home not when she went looking for Tucker, So sad. I wouldn't forgive him either he knew he was wrong. Well maybe forgive but not forget.
February 9, 2016
Really terrible. Maudlin, sentimental, emotionally inept, poorly written, and in need of a considerable amount of judicious editing. And the poetry interspersed throughout is some of the worst I've ever read. Skip it.
January 1, 2015
Very disjointed story of Willow Grove's secrets.
January 9, 2016
Quick but great read
Enjoyed the mystery of it all, especially the twist that leads you to the answer. I would recommend this to all
Enjoyed the mystery of it all, especially the twist that leads you to the answer. I would recommend this to all
April 23, 2016
It kept you wondering. And the ending was a bit of a surprise. The ending is totally sick and horrifying. The guilty pedophile walked FREE for all those years, just, good read, though.
May 24, 2016
Excellent!
Well-written, gripping suspense. I didn't want it to end! Did not suspect who the perpetrator is. Loved this book. Thanks!
Well-written, gripping suspense. I didn't want it to end! Did not suspect who the perpetrator is. Loved this book. Thanks!
April 23, 2016
Great book, definitely enjoyed this very sad of what happened to Katie and his son.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews