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A Line of Blood
A London family must deal with the murder of their secretive neighbor and the nerve-wracking police investigation that follows in this highly provocative, intensely twisty and suspenseful debut thriller that will have you guessing if one—or all—of them is guilty
For Alex Mercer, his wife Millicent and their eleven-year-old son Max are everything, his little tribe that makes him feel all’s right with the world. But when he and Max find their enigmatic next door neighbor dead in his apartment, their lives are suddenly and irrevocably changed. As the police conduct a methodical investigation, Alex becomes increasingly impatient for them to finish. After all, it so clearly was a suicide.
But as new information is uncovered, troubling questions arise. Why was the neighbor charging his home improvements to the Mercer’s address? How did a possession of Millicent’s end up in his apartment? And what has Max been listening to through the common wall they share with the neighbor? As the knot of suspicion grows tighter, this close-knit family begins to crack. Is Alex really the loving husband he professes to be? And where does Millicent disappear to on those long walks, stewing over something she can’t forget?
Each of them is suffering. Each has something to hide. And as they each question how well they really know one another, the Mercers will be forced to decide how far they’ll go to protect themselves—and their family—from investigators carefully watching their every move . . . waiting for one of them to make a mistake.
After reading A Line of Blood, you will never look at your loved ones the same way again.
For Alex Mercer, his wife Millicent and their eleven-year-old son Max are everything, his little tribe that makes him feel all’s right with the world. But when he and Max find their enigmatic next door neighbor dead in his apartment, their lives are suddenly and irrevocably changed. As the police conduct a methodical investigation, Alex becomes increasingly impatient for them to finish. After all, it so clearly was a suicide.
But as new information is uncovered, troubling questions arise. Why was the neighbor charging his home improvements to the Mercer’s address? How did a possession of Millicent’s end up in his apartment? And what has Max been listening to through the common wall they share with the neighbor? As the knot of suspicion grows tighter, this close-knit family begins to crack. Is Alex really the loving husband he professes to be? And where does Millicent disappear to on those long walks, stewing over something she can’t forget?
Each of them is suffering. Each has something to hide. And as they each question how well they really know one another, the Mercers will be forced to decide how far they’ll go to protect themselves—and their family—from investigators carefully watching their every move . . . waiting for one of them to make a mistake.
After reading A Line of Blood, you will never look at your loved ones the same way again.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2015
98 people are currently reading
2720 people want to read
About the author
Ben McPherson
7 books64 followersBen McPherson is a television producer, director, and writer. He studied Modern Languages at King’s College, Cambridge, and worked for many years in film and television production. From 1998 to 2007 he was a director and producer for the BBC.
In 1998 Ben met the woman he would go on to marry at the Coach and Horses in Soho. Similarities to the characters in his novel, A Line of Blood, end there.
Ben speaks fluent Norwegian and lives in Oslo with his wife and son. In 2012 he covered the Breivik trial for TheForeigner.no. He is now a columnist for Aftenposten, Norway’s leading quality daily newspaper.
In 1998 Ben met the woman he would go on to marry at the Coach and Horses in Soho. Similarities to the characters in his novel, A Line of Blood, end there.
Ben speaks fluent Norwegian and lives in Oslo with his wife and son. In 2012 he covered the Breivik trial for TheForeigner.no. He is now a columnist for Aftenposten, Norway’s leading quality daily newspaper.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 329 reviews
October 15, 2015
3.5 when Alex and his eleven year old son follow their cat into the unlocked backdoor, they do not expect to see what they find. The neighbor, who, has apparently committed suicide, and is dead in his bathtub. Soon the police begin investigating. Is this suicide or murder?
Alexis not a very good father, he lets Max see things he shouldn't and hear things he shouldn't. At times it seems he is pitting himself again Max's mother. Secrets, many secrets come to light and we are never sure what they mean. These are not very likable characters and the tone is deeply reminiscent of The Dinner, but the constant shifts are compelling. The prose is almost matter of fact, even with all the emotional discoveries constantly being made. The ending was predictable but the getting there was entertaining.
The way we parent and what our children actually think are thought provoking things that this book brings to the forefront.
ARC from NetGalley.
Alexis not a very good father, he lets Max see things he shouldn't and hear things he shouldn't. At times it seems he is pitting himself again Max's mother. Secrets, many secrets come to light and we are never sure what they mean. These are not very likable characters and the tone is deeply reminiscent of The Dinner, but the constant shifts are compelling. The prose is almost matter of fact, even with all the emotional discoveries constantly being made. The ending was predictable but the getting there was entertaining.
The way we parent and what our children actually think are thought provoking things that this book brings to the forefront.
ARC from NetGalley.
June 6, 2015
"Every father should understand that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice. "
----Unknown
Ben McPherson, a television producer, director, and writer, pens his debut psychological thriller, A Line of Blood that traces the life of Mercer family after the father and the son discover the dead body of their neighbor which thoroughly changes their lives or rather say fills up their minds with lots of questions and doubt about one another.
Synopsis:
You find your neighbor dead in his bath.
Your son is with you. He sees everything.
You discover your wife has been in the man’s house.
It seems she knew him.
Now the police need to speak to you.
One night turns Alex Mercer’s life upside down. He loves his family and he wants to protect them, but there is too much he doesn’t know.
He doesn’t know how the cracks in his and Millicent’s marriage have affected their son, Max. Or how Millicent’s bracelet came to be under the neighbor's bed. He doesn’t know how to be a father to Max when his own world is shattering into pieces.
Then the murder investigation begins…
Alex Mercer lives with his son, Max and wife, Millicent in a small neighborhood of Finsbury Park, London. The book opens with the discovery of the dead body of the Mercer's neighbor in his bath tub, electrocuted to his death and without any choice or rather say, out of shock, Alex lets his eleven year old son see the dead body, instead of protecting it from the scene. Gradually Alex falls into the suspect list by the local detectives and the neighbor's presumed-to-be-a-suicide rules out as a murder with a motive. This whole incident unravels a lot of secrets not only about the neighbor but also about Millicent, whose bracelet was found under the bed of that neighbor, and amidst of all the domestic drama, one person remains clam despite of his young age, Max, who registers everything casually and with any repercussion which his parents though would be very obvious. But as the cracks of their marriage comes to light with their neighbor's death, Alex's life changes forever, when he realizes that it is too late to consider himself as a good father.
First I'd like to hats off to this first time author by writing such a compelling psychological thriller and his writing style can be easily compared to that of Gillian Flynn's. From the very first page itself, the author gets into the minds of his characters by jotting their intricate thoughts, bad and good both. The pacing of the book is steady since there are lots of layers in this book and this book can be projected from so many angles, a mystery as well as a family drama. The eloquent and engaging way of story-telling by spilling twists here and there kept me glued till the very end.
The author's intention was to provoke domestic issues inside a family with a murder that the whole family has nothing to do with. The characters are etched out as if someone who will instantly fill your heart with rage and despise. Their flaws are so vividly captured and portrayed which makes the characters even more vulnerable. Although the book is a first-person POV of Alex, still the author have managed to captured each and every character through Alex's eyes.
Almost every other character projects an impulsive attitude except the eleven year old boy who looks so calm all through out the book. Not only that, the characters' flaws are inspired from the reality and it made me contemplate with their demeanor, like too much anger, trust issues, psychotic nature, holding on, etc. The author have strikingly captured the child's voice through Max and how a child actually behaves in front of his parents when he is scolded or loved is very apt.
The mystery is mind-blowing and it kept me guessing till the very moment that author chose to unravel the identity of his true culprit and all the while this story disillusioned me to think about a wrong culprit. So the mystery is very strongly wrapped into layers of twists and secrets, that only made me anticipate till the very end.
The book focuses on the values of relationships, especially a family. The father-son relationship is the best thing in the book and it is the only light amidst of all the darkness. Marriage is yet another relationship that is layered into the plot from the very beginning till the end. The author also sheds light on the fact that how a small crack in marriage can affect a child's behavior, because a small boy only wants to hold on to his parents at the end of the day. So, yes, holding onto one another matters a lot, if there is a crack in the ship due to as sudden storm.
Overall, this is an edgy psychological thriller which I'm pretty sure will take you on a roller coaster ride filed with emotions, hate and anticipation. And to be honest, the book kept me intrigued till the very last page.
Verdict: A must-read book for all thriller and mystery lovers, and if you want to taste something promising, scary yet engaging read, then this book perfectly fits the bill for you.
Courtesy: Thanks to Harper Collins India for sending me over a copy for the book, in return for an honest review.
----Unknown
Ben McPherson, a television producer, director, and writer, pens his debut psychological thriller, A Line of Blood that traces the life of Mercer family after the father and the son discover the dead body of their neighbor which thoroughly changes their lives or rather say fills up their minds with lots of questions and doubt about one another.
Synopsis:
You find your neighbor dead in his bath.
Your son is with you. He sees everything.
You discover your wife has been in the man’s house.
It seems she knew him.
Now the police need to speak to you.
One night turns Alex Mercer’s life upside down. He loves his family and he wants to protect them, but there is too much he doesn’t know.
He doesn’t know how the cracks in his and Millicent’s marriage have affected their son, Max. Or how Millicent’s bracelet came to be under the neighbor's bed. He doesn’t know how to be a father to Max when his own world is shattering into pieces.
Then the murder investigation begins…
Alex Mercer lives with his son, Max and wife, Millicent in a small neighborhood of Finsbury Park, London. The book opens with the discovery of the dead body of the Mercer's neighbor in his bath tub, electrocuted to his death and without any choice or rather say, out of shock, Alex lets his eleven year old son see the dead body, instead of protecting it from the scene. Gradually Alex falls into the suspect list by the local detectives and the neighbor's presumed-to-be-a-suicide rules out as a murder with a motive. This whole incident unravels a lot of secrets not only about the neighbor but also about Millicent, whose bracelet was found under the bed of that neighbor, and amidst of all the domestic drama, one person remains clam despite of his young age, Max, who registers everything casually and with any repercussion which his parents though would be very obvious. But as the cracks of their marriage comes to light with their neighbor's death, Alex's life changes forever, when he realizes that it is too late to consider himself as a good father.
First I'd like to hats off to this first time author by writing such a compelling psychological thriller and his writing style can be easily compared to that of Gillian Flynn's. From the very first page itself, the author gets into the minds of his characters by jotting their intricate thoughts, bad and good both. The pacing of the book is steady since there are lots of layers in this book and this book can be projected from so many angles, a mystery as well as a family drama. The eloquent and engaging way of story-telling by spilling twists here and there kept me glued till the very end.
The author's intention was to provoke domestic issues inside a family with a murder that the whole family has nothing to do with. The characters are etched out as if someone who will instantly fill your heart with rage and despise. Their flaws are so vividly captured and portrayed which makes the characters even more vulnerable. Although the book is a first-person POV of Alex, still the author have managed to captured each and every character through Alex's eyes.
Almost every other character projects an impulsive attitude except the eleven year old boy who looks so calm all through out the book. Not only that, the characters' flaws are inspired from the reality and it made me contemplate with their demeanor, like too much anger, trust issues, psychotic nature, holding on, etc. The author have strikingly captured the child's voice through Max and how a child actually behaves in front of his parents when he is scolded or loved is very apt.
The mystery is mind-blowing and it kept me guessing till the very moment that author chose to unravel the identity of his true culprit and all the while this story disillusioned me to think about a wrong culprit. So the mystery is very strongly wrapped into layers of twists and secrets, that only made me anticipate till the very end.
The book focuses on the values of relationships, especially a family. The father-son relationship is the best thing in the book and it is the only light amidst of all the darkness. Marriage is yet another relationship that is layered into the plot from the very beginning till the end. The author also sheds light on the fact that how a small crack in marriage can affect a child's behavior, because a small boy only wants to hold on to his parents at the end of the day. So, yes, holding onto one another matters a lot, if there is a crack in the ship due to as sudden storm.
Overall, this is an edgy psychological thriller which I'm pretty sure will take you on a roller coaster ride filed with emotions, hate and anticipation. And to be honest, the book kept me intrigued till the very last page.
Verdict: A must-read book for all thriller and mystery lovers, and if you want to taste something promising, scary yet engaging read, then this book perfectly fits the bill for you.
Courtesy: Thanks to Harper Collins India for sending me over a copy for the book, in return for an honest review.
October 28, 2015
This is a psychological thriller I found hard to put down.
A Line of Blood begins where a father and son discover their next door neighbour dead in his bath with an iron between his legs, amongst other things. I’ll never look at my iron in the same way again after reading this book, and have the feeling every time I do the ironing, I’ll be picturing naked men!
The story flowed well, and with so few characters and places, I found I was able to get into the story without having to try remember lots of characters. It wasn’t confusing at all and was very easy to read. I found it chilling, unnerving, and almost claustrophobic at times. I feel like I've spent most of the last few days in and out of two houses, and not quite managed to escape them in my mind yet.
At first I felt there was an element of humour within this book, but as the story progressed, that feeling of dark humour was replaced by a more chilling feeling, as the story became more serious and intense.
I’m not sure I was all that keen on any of the characters, although I wouldn’t say there was anyone I truly disliked either. Each character had flaws, but I guess that is what makes us human.
I had suspicions about the outcome very early on, and they were proved to be correct, but this in no way ruined my experience of the story, as the plot had lots of little twists to keep me interested, and perhaps altered my views of the characters slightly as time went on.
I recommend this to fans of psychological thrillers, and those who enjoy witnessing family dynamics and how each character responds in their own way to the same situation.
I read this for our Book of the Month discussion in THE Book Club on Facebook.
A Line of Blood begins where a father and son discover their next door neighbour dead in his bath with an iron between his legs, amongst other things. I’ll never look at my iron in the same way again after reading this book, and have the feeling every time I do the ironing, I’ll be picturing naked men!
The story flowed well, and with so few characters and places, I found I was able to get into the story without having to try remember lots of characters. It wasn’t confusing at all and was very easy to read. I found it chilling, unnerving, and almost claustrophobic at times. I feel like I've spent most of the last few days in and out of two houses, and not quite managed to escape them in my mind yet.
At first I felt there was an element of humour within this book, but as the story progressed, that feeling of dark humour was replaced by a more chilling feeling, as the story became more serious and intense.
I’m not sure I was all that keen on any of the characters, although I wouldn’t say there was anyone I truly disliked either. Each character had flaws, but I guess that is what makes us human.
I had suspicions about the outcome very early on, and they were proved to be correct, but this in no way ruined my experience of the story, as the plot had lots of little twists to keep me interested, and perhaps altered my views of the characters slightly as time went on.
I recommend this to fans of psychological thrillers, and those who enjoy witnessing family dynamics and how each character responds in their own way to the same situation.
I read this for our Book of the Month discussion in THE Book Club on Facebook.
November 12, 2020
One of the reasons we read fiction is to reaffirm universal truths. Truths such as how we don’t miss something or someone until they are gone. How only the people who we love the most can hurt us the most. How it is the betrayal of those we love that can scar us the deepest. This knowledge, once shared, is somehow comforting.
In “A Line of Blood” we meet a small family living in North London. Some would call them yuppies. Alex Mercer, a Scot, is a television producer. His wife Millicent, an ex-pat American, writes self-help books. They try their best to live their life and provide good parenting for their son who is an intelligent and precocious eleven year-old named Max.
Alex and Millicent did not have a ‘usual’ beginning, but rather almost a marriage of convenience. After a ‘hook-up’ and instant physical attraction, Millicent – a California girl – stays in London to be with Alex. Because she is from the States, the only way she can legally stay and work in England is to marry. After fifteen years of marriage Alex has never met Millicent’s parents. They had muddled along nicely until they lose a baby, a girl, named Sarah. Both grieve, but Millicent has a breakdown of sorts – and their son Max is so traumatized that his and his mother’s relationship is forever changed. In fact the entire family dynamic is forever changed.
When Alex follows his son into the next-door neighbour’s yard in chase of their cat, what they discover will change and scar them even further. They find their neighbour dead in the bath. Fearful for the mental trauma that seeing a dead body might have on his son, Alex thinks that is the worst that can happen… but that is only the tip of the iceberg. The police find a bracelet that belongs to Millicent in the neighbour’s house – beneath the bed… The police request that Alex “help them with their inquiries”. Betrayals, arrests, psychological counseling, adultery, suspicion, and domestic violence are all results of their discovery. Life will never be the same for the family Alex calls his ‘little tribe’.
How the neighbour came to meet his demise drives the story and the reader is compelled to discover the who, the why, and the how it will change lives. “The line of blood” differs from most other psychological thrillers in that the narrative is told solely from the male point of view via the character of Alex. All the characters depicted in the novel were fully-fleshed out and very believable. Written with an empathetic voice and an understanding of human nature, this is a debut novel that packs a punch. It is equally disturbing and compelling. I would highly recommend it to all lovers of mystery and suspense.
Thanks to William Morrow Paperbacks via Edelweiss for providing me with a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
In “A Line of Blood” we meet a small family living in North London. Some would call them yuppies. Alex Mercer, a Scot, is a television producer. His wife Millicent, an ex-pat American, writes self-help books. They try their best to live their life and provide good parenting for their son who is an intelligent and precocious eleven year-old named Max.
Alex and Millicent did not have a ‘usual’ beginning, but rather almost a marriage of convenience. After a ‘hook-up’ and instant physical attraction, Millicent – a California girl – stays in London to be with Alex. Because she is from the States, the only way she can legally stay and work in England is to marry. After fifteen years of marriage Alex has never met Millicent’s parents. They had muddled along nicely until they lose a baby, a girl, named Sarah. Both grieve, but Millicent has a breakdown of sorts – and their son Max is so traumatized that his and his mother’s relationship is forever changed. In fact the entire family dynamic is forever changed.
When Alex follows his son into the next-door neighbour’s yard in chase of their cat, what they discover will change and scar them even further. They find their neighbour dead in the bath. Fearful for the mental trauma that seeing a dead body might have on his son, Alex thinks that is the worst that can happen… but that is only the tip of the iceberg. The police find a bracelet that belongs to Millicent in the neighbour’s house – beneath the bed… The police request that Alex “help them with their inquiries”. Betrayals, arrests, psychological counseling, adultery, suspicion, and domestic violence are all results of their discovery. Life will never be the same for the family Alex calls his ‘little tribe’.
How the neighbour came to meet his demise drives the story and the reader is compelled to discover the who, the why, and the how it will change lives. “The line of blood” differs from most other psychological thrillers in that the narrative is told solely from the male point of view via the character of Alex. All the characters depicted in the novel were fully-fleshed out and very believable. Written with an empathetic voice and an understanding of human nature, this is a debut novel that packs a punch. It is equally disturbing and compelling. I would highly recommend it to all lovers of mystery and suspense.
Thanks to William Morrow Paperbacks via Edelweiss for providing me with a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
November 18, 2015
3.5 stars
Maybe I would have given a higher rating if I had read it at a different time. The basic plot was good and I was a bit surprised by the ending, but sometimes felt a bit wordy and too detailed for my taste. Very well written for a debut novel though and would very likely read his next book.
Maybe I would have given a higher rating if I had read it at a different time. The basic plot was good and I was a bit surprised by the ending, but sometimes felt a bit wordy and too detailed for my taste. Very well written for a debut novel though and would very likely read his next book.
November 23, 2015
3.5 bumped to 4 stars: This is a dark, twisted, and suspenseful novel. Told in first person form, from Alex Mercer’s point-of-view, it’s a tale of a father and son, looking for a missing cat and unexpectedly finding their neighbor dead. It looks like a suicide, but the police delve into an investigation that leads Alex to believe they think it’s a murder.
McPherson does a great job of providing clues that frames all the main characters as the murderer. Just as the reader begins to believe one character is the murderer, information is gained which points to another character. I will say that I suspected correctly who the murderer was after one third of the book. Generally I find that unsatisfying; but the way McPherson kept providing additional information, which cast doubt, made the story satisfying. The pacing of the plot and clues made this a highly suspenseful novel. Also, all the characters are very unlikeable, which generally makes me not like the novel. It’s in the really good novels where the plot is the focal point and the suspense is high that it does not matter if the characters are likable, which is this novel.
I highly recommend it as a fast read and when you feel like a gritty murder/suspense novel. It’s a great weekend novel that you complete by Sunday and feel satisfied.
McPherson does a great job of providing clues that frames all the main characters as the murderer. Just as the reader begins to believe one character is the murderer, information is gained which points to another character. I will say that I suspected correctly who the murderer was after one third of the book. Generally I find that unsatisfying; but the way McPherson kept providing additional information, which cast doubt, made the story satisfying. The pacing of the plot and clues made this a highly suspenseful novel. Also, all the characters are very unlikeable, which generally makes me not like the novel. It’s in the really good novels where the plot is the focal point and the suspense is high that it does not matter if the characters are likable, which is this novel.
I highly recommend it as a fast read and when you feel like a gritty murder/suspense novel. It’s a great weekend novel that you complete by Sunday and feel satisfied.
October 12, 2015
I do have to say we have been spoilt with some great psychological thrillers recently and this is another. This was a new author for me but I will definitely read more of his work. This is told through the voice of the father and we learn as the story slowly unfolds how the next door neighbour died. I actually worked out who the killer was quite early on but this did not stop my enjoyment of the book as I was very interested to see why and how this had all happened. Definitely recommend this one.
March 28, 2015
Tapping into the popularity of domestic noir thrillers, debut novelist Ben McPherson makes a brave move as a male writer dipping his toe into a mainly female market.
A Line of Blood is told entirely from a father’s point of view. Alex Mercer, his American wife Millicent, and their young son Max, seem to have a content life in Finsbury Park, North London, until one fateful day. Alex and Max go to a neighbour’s house in the search of their errant cat and discover the occupant dead in a bathtub, seemingly having comitted suicide. The ramifications of this take hold of their lives. Max has to go to a child psychologist, and Alex discovers that Millicent has spent time in the neighbour’s house without telling him. This turns his world upside down and the cracks in their marriage start to appear. Their son grows increasingly disturbed, and Alex’s own difficult upbringing begins to affect the family. Then a murder investigation begins, and Alex finds his once comfortable life unravelling around him, drawing him towards to some unwelcome home truths.
It is probably a testament to the strength of McPherson’s writing that A Line of Blood is not an easy read. It’s a miserable affair as the family descends into domestic violence, suspicion and woe. The author vividly portrays the crumbling of Alex’s world to such a degree that I needed several breathers to escape the high pressure emotion it brings out.
As the relationship between the three central characters implodes, each is revealed to be deeply unpleasant – the arrogant Alex, fickle Millicent and the intensly irritating and precocious Max. Their unholy trinity of domestic despair relents with the arrival of Millicent’s flighty and lively sister, Arla, who brings some light relief from the sadness and emotional intensity at play in this household. The book has much in common with Gone Girl, and it is hard to feel empathy or sympathise with the characters, who are quite hard to like. That’s where your interest might wane.
The detour into Alex’s family background, and his difficult relationship with his father, starts promisingly enough, but is interrupted and fractured as other events in his life interfere with this narrative strand, which seems so integral to the plot. The portrayal of the smug and touchy-feely child psychologist treating Max quickly grates as well.
The thriller aspect of the book is satisfying enough, with the murder investigation playing out and the possible involvement of members of the Mercer family pivoting to and fro. Following on the theme of dislikeable characters though, it’s soon obvious that their dead neighbour was not all that he appeared. The police characters are solid enough, but the main focus of the book is the micro-study of the Mercers, and how easily a family can be rocked to its core by one event.
The strength of A Line of Blood has to be the level of emotional intensity that McPherson retains throughout the plot. However, this can be a little overpowering and the actual murder investigation struggles to make itself heard in this maelstrom of sadness and disturbing behaviour. Undoubtedly, fans of Gone Girl and The Silent Wife will lap this up, and the quirkiness of a male author entering such an oestrogen-fuelled genre is a point of interest, but generally this tale of suburban sadness is a touch unsatisfying in its uneven execution.
A Line of Blood is told entirely from a father’s point of view. Alex Mercer, his American wife Millicent, and their young son Max, seem to have a content life in Finsbury Park, North London, until one fateful day. Alex and Max go to a neighbour’s house in the search of their errant cat and discover the occupant dead in a bathtub, seemingly having comitted suicide. The ramifications of this take hold of their lives. Max has to go to a child psychologist, and Alex discovers that Millicent has spent time in the neighbour’s house without telling him. This turns his world upside down and the cracks in their marriage start to appear. Their son grows increasingly disturbed, and Alex’s own difficult upbringing begins to affect the family. Then a murder investigation begins, and Alex finds his once comfortable life unravelling around him, drawing him towards to some unwelcome home truths.
It is probably a testament to the strength of McPherson’s writing that A Line of Blood is not an easy read. It’s a miserable affair as the family descends into domestic violence, suspicion and woe. The author vividly portrays the crumbling of Alex’s world to such a degree that I needed several breathers to escape the high pressure emotion it brings out.
As the relationship between the three central characters implodes, each is revealed to be deeply unpleasant – the arrogant Alex, fickle Millicent and the intensly irritating and precocious Max. Their unholy trinity of domestic despair relents with the arrival of Millicent’s flighty and lively sister, Arla, who brings some light relief from the sadness and emotional intensity at play in this household. The book has much in common with Gone Girl, and it is hard to feel empathy or sympathise with the characters, who are quite hard to like. That’s where your interest might wane.
The detour into Alex’s family background, and his difficult relationship with his father, starts promisingly enough, but is interrupted and fractured as other events in his life interfere with this narrative strand, which seems so integral to the plot. The portrayal of the smug and touchy-feely child psychologist treating Max quickly grates as well.
The thriller aspect of the book is satisfying enough, with the murder investigation playing out and the possible involvement of members of the Mercer family pivoting to and fro. Following on the theme of dislikeable characters though, it’s soon obvious that their dead neighbour was not all that he appeared. The police characters are solid enough, but the main focus of the book is the micro-study of the Mercers, and how easily a family can be rocked to its core by one event.
The strength of A Line of Blood has to be the level of emotional intensity that McPherson retains throughout the plot. However, this can be a little overpowering and the actual murder investigation struggles to make itself heard in this maelstrom of sadness and disturbing behaviour. Undoubtedly, fans of Gone Girl and The Silent Wife will lap this up, and the quirkiness of a male author entering such an oestrogen-fuelled genre is a point of interest, but generally this tale of suburban sadness is a touch unsatisfying in its uneven execution.
January 17, 2021
Alex Mercer and his precocious 11 year old son Max enter a neighbor's house in pursuit of their cat. They come upon the body of Mr. Bryce dead in his tub. This is the start of a well written psychological thriller about the monster next door and the secrets we keep.
Bryce remains a cipher for most of the book. We learn very little about him, even as the police start interrogating various people to determine whether the death was the result of suicide, as it appears, or murder. The story is told from the POV of Alex and we learn a lot about him, his wife Millicent and Max.
I suspect that this book will appeal to readers who liked "Gone Girl". I didn't like that book, but at least I managed to finish "A Line of Blood" even though I didn't find it to be a pleasant experience. Each of Alex and Millicent has things in their past that they need to keep hidden. Even Max knows more than he should for a child his age. It was an unsavory group of people with whom to spend time.
The book held my interest and kept me guessing up until the info dump at the end. I've given it four, rather than three, stars because the writing was skillful enough to keep me reading, even though I disliked the characters and the situation was kind of repellent.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
Bryce remains a cipher for most of the book. We learn very little about him, even as the police start interrogating various people to determine whether the death was the result of suicide, as it appears, or murder. The story is told from the POV of Alex and we learn a lot about him, his wife Millicent and Max.
I suspect that this book will appeal to readers who liked "Gone Girl". I didn't like that book, but at least I managed to finish "A Line of Blood" even though I didn't find it to be a pleasant experience. Each of Alex and Millicent has things in their past that they need to keep hidden. Even Max knows more than he should for a child his age. It was an unsavory group of people with whom to spend time.
The book held my interest and kept me guessing up until the info dump at the end. I've given it four, rather than three, stars because the writing was skillful enough to keep me reading, even though I disliked the characters and the situation was kind of repellent.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
August 16, 2020
Scottish Alex, his American wife Millicent and their eleven-year-old son Max live in an area of Finsbury Park, London that is known as 'Crappy'. Alex and Millicent married quickly thirteen years ago, they both work from home in the media industry. From the outside they appear to be a regular, modern family. They are untidy, they swear in front of their son, they spend time apart, but on the whole, things seem to be going well.
Until the day that Alex and Max find their next door neighbour dead in his bath, with an erection, and an electric iron submerged alongside him. Alex's initial thoughts are for Max, no father wants his young son exposed to that sort of thing, what will it do to him? It soon becomes apparent that this is no straightforward suicide, the police are looking for a murderer, and Alex discovers that Millicent and the dead man had a little more than the usual neighbourly relationship.
As the investigations continue and the police question Alex and Millicent, more truths are uncovered. Max knows much more about his parents than they realised, he's an astute little boy, at times he shows intelligence and maturity far beyond his years, whilst at others, his childish reasoning is at the forefront.
Every now and again, a story comes along that grips me, shakes me and totally messes with my head. A Line of Blood is one of those books. With the exception of Max, and maybe Alex's friend Fab5, we are introduced to a bunch of particularly loathesome and selfish characters, whose actions create waves affecting those around them. The author's ability to create these people, yet to also ensure that the reader finds them compulsive enough to continue reading is incredible. I was hooked totally, the plot weaves and twists and turns with an increasing pace. Just when you feel as though you've guessed exactly what has happened, Ben McPherson throws another curve ball your way, and another, and another.
The central theme of A Line of Blood is the damage that can be done to young minds, not intentionally, for Alex and Millicent are loving and open parents, but their young son has seen and heard things that no child of that age should. Max things he understands these things, but he also thinks that he has a solution, he wants to help and to make things better - and despite his above average intelligence, he is is still a child, and it is his child-like reasoning that consumes this novel.
This is not an easy read, and it is dark and it is disturbing, but Ben McPherson has such a talent that he holds the reader entralled through each and every unsavoury episode, raising questions along the way, questions that will buzz in the reader's head long after turning the final page.
A Line of Blood is a complex, subtle and captivating psychological thriller, with characters who are flawed, dangerous and at times incredibly vulnerable.
Until the day that Alex and Max find their next door neighbour dead in his bath, with an erection, and an electric iron submerged alongside him. Alex's initial thoughts are for Max, no father wants his young son exposed to that sort of thing, what will it do to him? It soon becomes apparent that this is no straightforward suicide, the police are looking for a murderer, and Alex discovers that Millicent and the dead man had a little more than the usual neighbourly relationship.
As the investigations continue and the police question Alex and Millicent, more truths are uncovered. Max knows much more about his parents than they realised, he's an astute little boy, at times he shows intelligence and maturity far beyond his years, whilst at others, his childish reasoning is at the forefront.
Every now and again, a story comes along that grips me, shakes me and totally messes with my head. A Line of Blood is one of those books. With the exception of Max, and maybe Alex's friend Fab5, we are introduced to a bunch of particularly loathesome and selfish characters, whose actions create waves affecting those around them. The author's ability to create these people, yet to also ensure that the reader finds them compulsive enough to continue reading is incredible. I was hooked totally, the plot weaves and twists and turns with an increasing pace. Just when you feel as though you've guessed exactly what has happened, Ben McPherson throws another curve ball your way, and another, and another.
The central theme of A Line of Blood is the damage that can be done to young minds, not intentionally, for Alex and Millicent are loving and open parents, but their young son has seen and heard things that no child of that age should. Max things he understands these things, but he also thinks that he has a solution, he wants to help and to make things better - and despite his above average intelligence, he is is still a child, and it is his child-like reasoning that consumes this novel.
This is not an easy read, and it is dark and it is disturbing, but Ben McPherson has such a talent that he holds the reader entralled through each and every unsavoury episode, raising questions along the way, questions that will buzz in the reader's head long after turning the final page.
A Line of Blood is a complex, subtle and captivating psychological thriller, with characters who are flawed, dangerous and at times incredibly vulnerable.
October 5, 2015
This book was a standard okay. An in-the-middle three stars. I won it in a Goodreads giveaway and I think I was expecting more...
What I got was a book based mainly on dialogue, and even as a dialogue-lover myself, I wondered at the editing in places. Conversations that go on (without very much being said) for page after page. Three pages when one page could do. Or leave it out altogether and SHOW the characters doing something, anything. (Okay they do things, but they still talk too much.)
Here it is...
Dad Alex, along with eleven-year old son, Max, discover the dead body of a neighbor in said neighbor's house. (Well the door is wide open. The cat walks in. You gotta go get your cat, right?) The death is grotesque, an electric iron falls into a bathtub and this isn't a spoiler as it happens right at the beginning.
From there we discover Alex's wife knew the dead guy, and maybe a little too well. (Get my drift?) There's also a spooky other neighbor and the sister of the dead guy and lots of long, psychologically-significant conversations in coffee shops, in bedrooms, and while characters are dressed or half-dressed, and sometimes naked. (Yes, we have people answering their front doors, naked.)
Each of the main characters - husband, wife, son, dead guy - have long, complex backstories which are slowly filtered through the plot until eventually the reader knows each of them inside out. There's even an older woman, Alex's mother, with her own disturbing, emotionally-laden past. (While reading this I thought: this is a novel in which NO ONE is ever happy.)
The police are involved, too, of course, as this is a murder-mystery novel. But they do little more than stand on corners watching people, or questioning them in a sort of vague way. If they make an arrest, the next day the person is let go. It's all very wishy-washy. In fact, the police are kind of shadowy characters, existing on the edges of the inner emotional turmoil which Alex, his wife and young son are all living through.
Suffice to say I figured this one about a third of the way in. Did the writer leave too many clues? Ummm, yeah, he did. Was the set-up, plot, storyline believable? Ummm, maybe.
At any rate, I wanted to read it. I did. It's over. I'm done.
What I got was a book based mainly on dialogue, and even as a dialogue-lover myself, I wondered at the editing in places. Conversations that go on (without very much being said) for page after page. Three pages when one page could do. Or leave it out altogether and SHOW the characters doing something, anything. (Okay they do things, but they still talk too much.)
Here it is...
Dad Alex, along with eleven-year old son, Max, discover the dead body of a neighbor in said neighbor's house. (Well the door is wide open. The cat walks in. You gotta go get your cat, right?) The death is grotesque, an electric iron falls into a bathtub and this isn't a spoiler as it happens right at the beginning.
From there we discover Alex's wife knew the dead guy, and maybe a little too well. (Get my drift?) There's also a spooky other neighbor and the sister of the dead guy and lots of long, psychologically-significant conversations in coffee shops, in bedrooms, and while characters are dressed or half-dressed, and sometimes naked. (Yes, we have people answering their front doors, naked.)
Each of the main characters - husband, wife, son, dead guy - have long, complex backstories which are slowly filtered through the plot until eventually the reader knows each of them inside out. There's even an older woman, Alex's mother, with her own disturbing, emotionally-laden past. (While reading this I thought: this is a novel in which NO ONE is ever happy.)
The police are involved, too, of course, as this is a murder-mystery novel. But they do little more than stand on corners watching people, or questioning them in a sort of vague way. If they make an arrest, the next day the person is let go. It's all very wishy-washy. In fact, the police are kind of shadowy characters, existing on the edges of the inner emotional turmoil which Alex, his wife and young son are all living through.
Suffice to say I figured this one about a third of the way in. Did the writer leave too many clues? Ummm, yeah, he did. Was the set-up, plot, storyline believable? Ummm, maybe.
At any rate, I wanted to read it. I did. It's over. I'm done.
July 30, 2016
In ye olde Domestic Noir genre you get a mish mash of reads, some good, some bad, some really excellent and not many done by male authors. Although a few. If A Line of Blood is anything to go by then perhaps more should be entering the fray.
What I loved about it was it was so much more about the dysfunctional family than it was about the possible crime. The next door neighbour kills himself (probably, or did he?) his body is discovered by Alex and son Max and then off we go - into a tale of 3 people, Husband, Wife, Child, all of whom are entirely disturbing and completely frustrating. In a good reading way. I wanted to slap the lot of them frankly but I could NOT look away from the drama unfolding.
Told by Alex, the story goes on a beautifully constructed twisty path of domestic insanity where everyone is hiding something and nobody is entirely trustworthy. Quite aside from the "who did what to who" where no possibility seems too unreasonable, you have some very insightful and thought provoking character studies, an addictively absorbing style of writing (yes Millicent your name by the end was tattooed on my soul) and quite honestly no idea where it was all going to end.
Those are the best stories right? Right.
Clever writing, clever plotting, divisive and undeniably unlikeable characters who will get stuck in your head, when it comes to this particular popular sub genre this is the way to do it.
Highly Recommended.
What I loved about it was it was so much more about the dysfunctional family than it was about the possible crime. The next door neighbour kills himself (probably, or did he?) his body is discovered by Alex and son Max and then off we go - into a tale of 3 people, Husband, Wife, Child, all of whom are entirely disturbing and completely frustrating. In a good reading way. I wanted to slap the lot of them frankly but I could NOT look away from the drama unfolding.
Told by Alex, the story goes on a beautifully constructed twisty path of domestic insanity where everyone is hiding something and nobody is entirely trustworthy. Quite aside from the "who did what to who" where no possibility seems too unreasonable, you have some very insightful and thought provoking character studies, an addictively absorbing style of writing (yes Millicent your name by the end was tattooed on my soul) and quite honestly no idea where it was all going to end.
Those are the best stories right? Right.
Clever writing, clever plotting, divisive and undeniably unlikeable characters who will get stuck in your head, when it comes to this particular popular sub genre this is the way to do it.
Highly Recommended.
May 11, 2022
Truly one of the most awful books I have ever read. I hated it.
Alex Mercer and his son, Max, discover the dead body of their neighbour. It looks like a suicide, but then the police discover Alex's wife, Millicent's bracelet in the neighbour's home. It looks like Millicent was having an affair with the neighbour, and Alex becomes a suspect.
It turns out that Millicent has kept quite a few secrets from Alex, as she is one of the most odious, selfish, disgusting, sociopathic bitches you're ever likely to come across in this genre. I utterly abhorred her. She was revolting and irredeemable. Alex is no saint either, nor is Max, but Millicent deserves some sort of prize for morally repugnant wastes of oxygen. I don't know if the author thought the reader should sympathise with her at all, but I hated every minute I wasted reading about her.
Most of the book is basically the toxic relationship between Alex and Millicent. (He cheats on her with her sister. She cheats on him with the neighbour, lies constantly, skips out and leaves their child alone in the home, and also hospitalises Alex by hitting him in the head with a wine bottle.) Alex spends the whole book going, "I love Millicent. I hate Millicent." (I certainly hated Millicent!) "I forgive you, I don't forgive you." Or, "You killed our neighbour, you didn't kill our neighbour." His flip-flopping will often change within the same paragraph!
The book is all useless filler. The dialogue was appalling and often didn't come across as believable or real. I even hated Max. He was a precocious little shit. I spotted the "twist" ending a mile off.
Why on earth were we supposed to care about these horrible, stupid, selfish people?
Fuck this stupid book. Avoid at all costs.
Alex Mercer and his son, Max, discover the dead body of their neighbour. It looks like a suicide, but then the police discover Alex's wife, Millicent's bracelet in the neighbour's home. It looks like Millicent was having an affair with the neighbour, and Alex becomes a suspect.
It turns out that Millicent has kept quite a few secrets from Alex, as she is one of the most odious, selfish, disgusting, sociopathic bitches you're ever likely to come across in this genre. I utterly abhorred her. She was revolting and irredeemable. Alex is no saint either, nor is Max, but Millicent deserves some sort of prize for morally repugnant wastes of oxygen. I don't know if the author thought the reader should sympathise with her at all, but I hated every minute I wasted reading about her.
Most of the book is basically the toxic relationship between Alex and Millicent. (He cheats on her with her sister. She cheats on him with the neighbour, lies constantly, skips out and leaves their child alone in the home, and also hospitalises Alex by hitting him in the head with a wine bottle.) Alex spends the whole book going, "I love Millicent. I hate Millicent." (I certainly hated Millicent!) "I forgive you, I don't forgive you." Or, "You killed our neighbour, you didn't kill our neighbour." His flip-flopping will often change within the same paragraph!
The book is all useless filler. The dialogue was appalling and often didn't come across as believable or real. I even hated Max. He was a precocious little shit. I spotted the "twist" ending a mile off.
Why on earth were we supposed to care about these horrible, stupid, selfish people?
Fuck this stupid book. Avoid at all costs.
October 29, 2015
This book falls under the category "uncomfortable" for me as it was full of unlikeable characters with dark secrets and in my opinion unusual ways of dealing with situations... .however thankfully I haven't yet had to deal with finding my next door neighbour dead in the bath - so who knows how I would react. I can't say it was enjoyable - but it certainly made me think long and hard (no pun) about how far I would go to protect my family. This book made this think and feel and therefore I would give it 4 stars.
February 9, 2016
Oh dear.
I wanted to like it. The blurb sounded right up my alley.
I was looking forward to it.
But alas, no.
Max is 11?! 11??
He is written as if he were 5, maybe 6.
The visual impression was that he was tiny.. he wore pajamas and looked up at the police officer - he was carried up to bed etc..
And his speech patterns in the first scene as he hopped the fence were more reminiscent of a 3 yo really.
I just couldn't hack it. The misrepresentation of the child was just too distracting.
Crying shame too.
I wanted to like it. The blurb sounded right up my alley.
I was looking forward to it.
But alas, no.
Max is 11?! 11??
He is written as if he were 5, maybe 6.
The visual impression was that he was tiny.. he wore pajamas and looked up at the police officer - he was carried up to bed etc..
And his speech patterns in the first scene as he hopped the fence were more reminiscent of a 3 yo really.
I just couldn't hack it. The misrepresentation of the child was just too distracting.
Crying shame too.
October 7, 2015
The characters were well developed, if not particularly likeable and the story was interesting. The problem I had with this book is that the outcome was telegraphed very early on and so the outcome was very anti-climactic.
October 4, 2015
First of all, it is going to take everything in me to NOT squeal and tell you who the murder actually is and why. Everything, lambs. Everything. Mostly because it's so unthinkable and I look at the people in my own little family and I can't connect it. I can't connect it, which is what makes this novel phenomenal. Is it slow? Kind of. But did it read almost like a British episode of Law & Order? Absolutely. Gut punches and all.
It all begins with Alex and his son Max, who basically trespass into the neighbors house after their cat, and find the neighbor dead. Naked in his bathtub, he's very clearly dead. Alex, obviously stunned, returns home with Max in tow and is absolutely convinced his son is irrevocably scarred after seeing a dead body. The wife, Millicent, is such a strange character. Right from the beginning, I honestly suspected her of something just because she disappears and her husband doesn't know where to. Max seems to hear and see everything, like most kids, and his parents are seemingly oblivious to what he knows.
It's not so much the "who killed the neighbor" that carries this book, it's more of what happens to the family as they find out. How they are all affected by it and what it means for them going forward. Sadly, I can't give you much more that won't ruin the book for you because as the reader, it's super important you discover things at the pace set by the author because you get the feeling of devastation, anger, fearfulness, and more just as the family does. Excellent book. I wouldn't say thriller, but it is definitely suspenseful and it would compare to seasoned authors in this genre with no problem. I highly recommend this is you are a fan of a story that will keep you on your toes!
It all begins with Alex and his son Max, who basically trespass into the neighbors house after their cat, and find the neighbor dead. Naked in his bathtub, he's very clearly dead. Alex, obviously stunned, returns home with Max in tow and is absolutely convinced his son is irrevocably scarred after seeing a dead body. The wife, Millicent, is such a strange character. Right from the beginning, I honestly suspected her of something just because she disappears and her husband doesn't know where to. Max seems to hear and see everything, like most kids, and his parents are seemingly oblivious to what he knows.
It's not so much the "who killed the neighbor" that carries this book, it's more of what happens to the family as they find out. How they are all affected by it and what it means for them going forward. Sadly, I can't give you much more that won't ruin the book for you because as the reader, it's super important you discover things at the pace set by the author because you get the feeling of devastation, anger, fearfulness, and more just as the family does. Excellent book. I wouldn't say thriller, but it is definitely suspenseful and it would compare to seasoned authors in this genre with no problem. I highly recommend this is you are a fan of a story that will keep you on your toes!
February 1, 2015
I appreciate that is very difficult for a new writer to get their first book published. I am so glad that Julie Widsom from Harper Collins could see that Ben McPherson's book would suck readers in. Every page is so nicely played out. The originality for a chilling psychological thriller story is most certainly here. I have never read anything quite like this before. I feel so proud to be one of the first to read an advance reading copy. I promise that the author Ben McPherson will firmly stand out to all readers as a new writer. Ben McPherson has captured a child's voice and the way a child copies what parent say to absolute perfection. I think what Ben is trying to say here is that as parents we try to protect our children from hearing and seeing things.
A line of Blood begins with Alex Mercer and his 11-year-old son finding their next door neighbour dead in his bath. Alex is worried what emotional and psychological damage this will have for his son Max seeing a dead man in the bath. Further more Alex did not know was that his wife Millicent knew the man next door very well and had been in the man's house. The Mercer family are completely unprepared as the police start a murder investigation interviewing all the Mercer family.
I am confident that any reader or any one in the media will really enjoy this wonderfully adventure. A Line of Blood is published March 26th 2015 by Harper Collins.
A line of Blood begins with Alex Mercer and his 11-year-old son finding their next door neighbour dead in his bath. Alex is worried what emotional and psychological damage this will have for his son Max seeing a dead man in the bath. Further more Alex did not know was that his wife Millicent knew the man next door very well and had been in the man's house. The Mercer family are completely unprepared as the police start a murder investigation interviewing all the Mercer family.
I am confident that any reader or any one in the media will really enjoy this wonderfully adventure. A Line of Blood is published March 26th 2015 by Harper Collins.
February 17, 2016
This has to be one of the worst books I have ever read. I finally gave up on it, within two CDs of finishing the book. The people in this book are self-centered and child-like. They revisit things over and over again, to the point of nausea, and, they constantly make capricious and foolish decisions, showing not one iota of rational thought. I can hardly believe that the author would think these people are realistic in any way, shape or form. If they are, I feel myself very privileged to have never met or known anyone like them. How they ever managed to have jobs and live in the real world is beyond my comprehension, since most of their lives seem to be spent in constant self-centered thinking. I finally decided I didn't really care who had killed the neighbor. It was just much easier to quit listening to this book.
August 7, 2016
There are so many reasons I wanted to give this awesome book five stars. One of these reasons being that I couldn't put it down, which hasn't happened in a while. It is definitely fast paced; I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I highly recommend it and but there was a VERY slight disconnect in the writing for me. That being said, I would most certainly read another book by this author!
October 5, 2015
I'll be honest, it took me a while to figure out what to even say about this story, A Line of Blood is going to be a book you either love or don't. For me, I didn't. I did finish it all the way to the end and I just wouldn't recommend it. The book opens with Alex and his son finding their neighbor dead in his bathtub. It seems that it was a suicide at first. But the police begin to suspect that it was murder. Alex and his wife are thrown into the spotlight when things begin to not add up.
The thing I didn't like about this book was the characters. None of them are likable. In fact, they all kind of got what they deserved if you want my opinion. Millicent is the worst of the three. How Alex stayed with her after all of her secrets were revealed was beyond me. I wouldn't call this a thriller or entirely suspenseful. None of the secrets were very shocking, just unforgivable. The ending is pretty easy to figure out as there is enough foreshadowing if you look hard enough. So, why did I read through to the end? I had been looking forward to this book and I kept hoping it would get better. I was also hoping for a different ending. But it never came.
The thing I didn't like about this book was the characters. None of them are likable. In fact, they all kind of got what they deserved if you want my opinion. Millicent is the worst of the three. How Alex stayed with her after all of her secrets were revealed was beyond me. I wouldn't call this a thriller or entirely suspenseful. None of the secrets were very shocking, just unforgivable. The ending is pretty easy to figure out as there is enough foreshadowing if you look hard enough. So, why did I read through to the end? I had been looking forward to this book and I kept hoping it would get better. I was also hoping for a different ending. But it never came.
January 27, 2024
This book was suspenseful enough to keep me reading and to make me stay up for "one more chapter" when I really should have turned the light off and gone to sleep. It is a murder mystery and also the story of a marriage that began as a practical arrangement, became a love affair, then, as marriages almost always do, encountered difficulties a few years in. It is the story of parents with an extraordinary child and how they deal with him. The murder directly affects all of them, and although the clues revealing the identity of the murderer are presented to the main characters about two-thirds of the way through the novel, they are willfully blind to them until they are forced to face the truth. I would give this book 3.5 stars if I could.
December 19, 2015
An uncomfortable but addictive read, full of twists and turns, populated with characters with hidden agendas and flaws. Interesting and compelling.
April 15, 2019
In the area of London's Finsbury Park locally nicknamed Crappy, TV producer Alex Mercer and his 11-year-old son Max discover their neighbor, the enigmatic Bryce, electrocuted in his bathtub, victim of an apparent suicide. That would be horrific enough, but it emerges in fairly short order that Alex's much younger wife Millicent, the successful author of a series of zeitgeisty self-help books, was carrying on an affair with Bryce, and that Max all too clearly witnessed their "intercoursing," detailing their encounters, complete with illustrations, in his notebook. Add in the discovery that Bryce was a fraudster who gave the Mercers' home as his billing address to his many creditors and the potential for tragedy is obvious.
Soon the police are investigating the death as a murder. Their suspicions, as well as those of the Mercers themselves, start pulling the family apart.
Although they've seemed to the world like a loving, tight-knit unit, it becomes clear to us pretty quickly that the Mercers have for far too long been a dysfunctional family held together by the capacity of all three to ignore the obvious so long as it's convenient to do so. They do all have something in common: Alex is a whiny pain in the ass, Millicent is a beautiful, hot yet self-centered pain in the ass, and Max -- whose behavioral age seems to vary from one page to the next -- is a pain in the ass with, at a guess, a sizeable dash of undiagnosed Asperger's Syndrome.
This nonstop pain-in-the-assery among the novel's central trio made it, for me, a difficult read, as did the irritation of realizing that, if only the two parents would set aside their pain-in-the-assery and behave like grown-ups for a while, they could solve just about all of their intra-familial problems pretty swiftly. The writing style didn't help either: although it smooths out after a while, in the first quarter or third of the book it frequently has a sort of jerky, staccato delivery that's obviously deliberate but that I found hard to accommodate.
In his Acknowledgments McPherson thanks various people for making him "rewrite and rewrite and rewrite," and it occurred to me that this might be at the root of some of my difficulties with the book. In my own experience, rewrites usually make things longer, the writing more self-conscious, and the characters more locked into their established patterns -- such as unremitting pain-in-the-assery -- and thus less like real people.
Whatever the case, I read A Line of Blood quite swiftly, so there's that to be said in its favor. One factor that impelled my reading was that I spotted the solution to the murder mystery early on -- almost from the outset, in fact -- and was interested to find out whether or not I was right. (In a stomach-turning welter of self-congratulatory smuggitude, I discovered I was.) But there was more driving me on than just that. In other words, while I didn't enjoy A Line of Blood itself very much, I might very well be tempted to try other novels by this author.
Soon the police are investigating the death as a murder. Their suspicions, as well as those of the Mercers themselves, start pulling the family apart.
Although they've seemed to the world like a loving, tight-knit unit, it becomes clear to us pretty quickly that the Mercers have for far too long been a dysfunctional family held together by the capacity of all three to ignore the obvious so long as it's convenient to do so. They do all have something in common: Alex is a whiny pain in the ass, Millicent is a beautiful, hot yet self-centered pain in the ass, and Max -- whose behavioral age seems to vary from one page to the next -- is a pain in the ass with, at a guess, a sizeable dash of undiagnosed Asperger's Syndrome.
This nonstop pain-in-the-assery among the novel's central trio made it, for me, a difficult read, as did the irritation of realizing that, if only the two parents would set aside their pain-in-the-assery and behave like grown-ups for a while, they could solve just about all of their intra-familial problems pretty swiftly. The writing style didn't help either: although it smooths out after a while, in the first quarter or third of the book it frequently has a sort of jerky, staccato delivery that's obviously deliberate but that I found hard to accommodate.
In his Acknowledgments McPherson thanks various people for making him "rewrite and rewrite and rewrite," and it occurred to me that this might be at the root of some of my difficulties with the book. In my own experience, rewrites usually make things longer, the writing more self-conscious, and the characters more locked into their established patterns -- such as unremitting pain-in-the-assery -- and thus less like real people.
Whatever the case, I read A Line of Blood quite swiftly, so there's that to be said in its favor. One factor that impelled my reading was that I spotted the solution to the murder mystery early on -- almost from the outset, in fact -- and was interested to find out whether or not I was right. (In a stomach-turning welter of self-congratulatory smuggitude, I discovered I was.) But there was more driving me on than just that. In other words, while I didn't enjoy A Line of Blood itself very much, I might very well be tempted to try other novels by this author.
October 3, 2023
"A Line of Blood" by Ben McPherson led me through a thought provoking journey into the depths of moral ambiguity. As I was reading the story, I couldn't help but feel troubled and morally conflicted by the characters' actions. The book's exploration through human nature and it's messiness serves as a reminder that everyone goes through their own trials and tribulations, obviously less extreme than this story.
What struck me most was the theme of infidelity and revenge, being taken to an unsettling extreme. Max killed Bryce because he assumed his dad would want him to do this due to his mother's infidelity. Instead of millicent communicating about her unhappiness, she decided to go and cheat on her husband. Alex was shown, multiple times, to have thoughts of infidelity, as well as the leading action of having sex with Millicent's sister, Arla. However, Max was the only one who tried his best to show what he did. They all tried to keep theirs a secret. The chilling aspect of the story was Max's disturbing drawings and how, despite their explicit nature, it took Alex and Millicent a while to connect them to his involvement in Bryce's death. It's a haunting reminder that sometimes the signs of a troubled mind can be right in front of you, yet we fail to see it until it's too late.
Throughout the story, Millicent's complex role as Max's mother left a lasting impression on me. I initially suspected her of Bryce's murder, but I realised after that her actions, and Alex's in part, was not far from the idea of them actually committing the crime. To me, her character adds an intriguing layer to the moral complexities within the story.
In conclusion, "A Line of Blood" is a gripping and morally challenging novel. It's a reminder that even in the darkest of situations, there are nuances to explore, and the consequences of our actions can appear before us in unexpected ways. Ben McPherson's writing style captivates readers with its ability to immerse us in a morally complex world, bringing together vivid descriptions and intricate character dynamics, which makes this novel a compelling and thought-provoking read.
What struck me most was the theme of infidelity and revenge, being taken to an unsettling extreme. Max killed Bryce because he assumed his dad would want him to do this due to his mother's infidelity. Instead of millicent communicating about her unhappiness, she decided to go and cheat on her husband. Alex was shown, multiple times, to have thoughts of infidelity, as well as the leading action of having sex with Millicent's sister, Arla. However, Max was the only one who tried his best to show what he did. They all tried to keep theirs a secret. The chilling aspect of the story was Max's disturbing drawings and how, despite their explicit nature, it took Alex and Millicent a while to connect them to his involvement in Bryce's death. It's a haunting reminder that sometimes the signs of a troubled mind can be right in front of you, yet we fail to see it until it's too late.
Throughout the story, Millicent's complex role as Max's mother left a lasting impression on me. I initially suspected her of Bryce's murder, but I realised after that her actions, and Alex's in part, was not far from the idea of them actually committing the crime. To me, her character adds an intriguing layer to the moral complexities within the story.
In conclusion, "A Line of Blood" is a gripping and morally challenging novel. It's a reminder that even in the darkest of situations, there are nuances to explore, and the consequences of our actions can appear before us in unexpected ways. Ben McPherson's writing style captivates readers with its ability to immerse us in a morally complex world, bringing together vivid descriptions and intricate character dynamics, which makes this novel a compelling and thought-provoking read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2015
This book was an Advanced Reader Copy generously provided to the library in exchange for a fair review.
A Line of Blood, the debut novel from Ben McPherson, is a dark look at the hidden side of relationships, and the lies we not only tell others, but ourselves. Alex and Millicent Mercer live in a small London neighborhood with their son, Max. For Alex, this life is everything he could have hoped for; his family--his little tribe--provide him with everything he wants in life. When Max and Alex find their neighbor dead in his bathtub, Alex is forced to confront the tough truth that his life is not as picture perfect as it seemed to be, and that his sense of himself isn't as honest as he'd like to believe.
This is an excellent debut from McPherson. While the basic premise has certainly been done before--"strange death uncovers dark family secrets" is well trod ground by now--McPherson's prose breathes real life into the world of this troubled family. The story is told entirely from Alex's perspective, which brilliantly lets us see, not only how he views his family, but how he views himself. This creates a wonderful tension, as McPherson so adroitly captures those moments where the person we tell ourselves we are comes into conflict with the things we do when we're really being ourselves. It's particularly impressive that Alex never comes across as cliche or unreal. His pain, anger, confusion feel very honest. McPherson perfectly captures not only the obvious thoughts and actions of a person in pain, but many of the subtly, harder to spot reactions.
Alex's relationship with his wife is brutally, brilliantly tragic. McPherson manages to impress upon the reader both the love they have for each other and the anger and resentment. Throughout the book, both characters do profoundly hurtful things and experience intense suffering, but McPherson allows each character to react and act, without falling into the trap of villainizing either of them. Both of them come across as people doing they best they can in life, but who have made intense, serious mistakes.
The weakest element of the story is the portrayal of Max. While there are times where Max was endearing, charming, and amusing, there were as many times where I had a hard time believing that this was a real child, or believing the ways that the adults around him were reacting to his behavior. In a book where the other main characters felt so real, and where I was sucked so completely into the drama of their lives, the flatness of Max was jarring.
Still, this was a tremendously engaging read, and I look forward to seeing what else McPherson comes out with. A Line of Blood is a thrilling trip to a dark place, and if it isn't completely unpredictable, it's still a tremendously well executed take on a familiar theme. The believable and moving exploration of Alex and Millicent's relationship, and the strains that the discoveries takes on it, more than make up for the weaker execution of Max.
A Line of Blood, the debut novel from Ben McPherson, is a dark look at the hidden side of relationships, and the lies we not only tell others, but ourselves. Alex and Millicent Mercer live in a small London neighborhood with their son, Max. For Alex, this life is everything he could have hoped for; his family--his little tribe--provide him with everything he wants in life. When Max and Alex find their neighbor dead in his bathtub, Alex is forced to confront the tough truth that his life is not as picture perfect as it seemed to be, and that his sense of himself isn't as honest as he'd like to believe.
This is an excellent debut from McPherson. While the basic premise has certainly been done before--"strange death uncovers dark family secrets" is well trod ground by now--McPherson's prose breathes real life into the world of this troubled family. The story is told entirely from Alex's perspective, which brilliantly lets us see, not only how he views his family, but how he views himself. This creates a wonderful tension, as McPherson so adroitly captures those moments where the person we tell ourselves we are comes into conflict with the things we do when we're really being ourselves. It's particularly impressive that Alex never comes across as cliche or unreal. His pain, anger, confusion feel very honest. McPherson perfectly captures not only the obvious thoughts and actions of a person in pain, but many of the subtly, harder to spot reactions.
Alex's relationship with his wife is brutally, brilliantly tragic. McPherson manages to impress upon the reader both the love they have for each other and the anger and resentment. Throughout the book, both characters do profoundly hurtful things and experience intense suffering, but McPherson allows each character to react and act, without falling into the trap of villainizing either of them. Both of them come across as people doing they best they can in life, but who have made intense, serious mistakes.
The weakest element of the story is the portrayal of Max. While there are times where Max was endearing, charming, and amusing, there were as many times where I had a hard time believing that this was a real child, or believing the ways that the adults around him were reacting to his behavior. In a book where the other main characters felt so real, and where I was sucked so completely into the drama of their lives, the flatness of Max was jarring.
Still, this was a tremendously engaging read, and I look forward to seeing what else McPherson comes out with. A Line of Blood is a thrilling trip to a dark place, and if it isn't completely unpredictable, it's still a tremendously well executed take on a familiar theme. The believable and moving exploration of Alex and Millicent's relationship, and the strains that the discoveries takes on it, more than make up for the weaker execution of Max.
September 28, 2015
3.5 stars
It is about that time of year that psychological thrillers are just such a joy to read. The creepiness and suspense make us want to cuddle up in blankets in the safety of our own homes unaffected by the horrors that these books hold. In honor of that, I dived into yet another that I enjoyed even more than the last. Ben McPherson brings us A Line of Blood which makes us question our own loved ones. There is nothing more scary than not knowing if the ones we trust the most are really the ones we should fear.
The entire book is told from Alex Mercer’s perspective. He lives with his wife Millicent and eleven-year-old son Max. When looking for their cat, Alex and Max find their neighbor dead in his bathtub. This story is very much about how this discovery deeply affects this family. Life will change for the Mercers forever. Alex worries how seeing the dead man will affect Max and what damage that will do to a kid. Alex also learns that Millicent knew the dead man a lot better than she let on. The secrets begin to unravel and it becomes clear just how unprepared for the murder investigation that the family really is.
There is this crazy amount of tension throughout the novel. It just never lets up. I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story trying to figure out who did it. To add to that, this was truly a psychological exploration of the relationships within the book. The characters felt very real, even with all the flaws. Some may find them unlikable, but I felt it just added to the psychological aspect of the novel. Although the story started off a bit slow, it did pick up as things continued.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers and mysteries, this is a good one to go out and get.
It is about that time of year that psychological thrillers are just such a joy to read. The creepiness and suspense make us want to cuddle up in blankets in the safety of our own homes unaffected by the horrors that these books hold. In honor of that, I dived into yet another that I enjoyed even more than the last. Ben McPherson brings us A Line of Blood which makes us question our own loved ones. There is nothing more scary than not knowing if the ones we trust the most are really the ones we should fear.
The entire book is told from Alex Mercer’s perspective. He lives with his wife Millicent and eleven-year-old son Max. When looking for their cat, Alex and Max find their neighbor dead in his bathtub. This story is very much about how this discovery deeply affects this family. Life will change for the Mercers forever. Alex worries how seeing the dead man will affect Max and what damage that will do to a kid. Alex also learns that Millicent knew the dead man a lot better than she let on. The secrets begin to unravel and it becomes clear just how unprepared for the murder investigation that the family really is.
There is this crazy amount of tension throughout the novel. It just never lets up. I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story trying to figure out who did it. To add to that, this was truly a psychological exploration of the relationships within the book. The characters felt very real, even with all the flaws. Some may find them unlikable, but I felt it just added to the psychological aspect of the novel. Although the story started off a bit slow, it did pick up as things continued.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers and mysteries, this is a good one to go out and get.
September 29, 2015
When Alex and his eleven-year-old son, Max, find their next door neighbor's dead body, they find their lives completely upended.
At first, it seemed it was a simple suicide. Sad, but fairly open and shut. But before long Alex realizes the police are treating the case as a murder - and Alex seems to be a suspect.
Simplicity is best in describing this one. Why? Because nothing is quite as it seems from the start. Even Alex is a bit slow to catch on - the fact that the police are still in the dead man's house a day later. The people showing up at his door asking for Mr. Bryce. The fact that the police want to interview his wife when she wasn't even home at the time the body was found.
It's more than that, though. We know from the start that something is off about Alex and Millicent. He wants to call her to let her know what's happened but knows she won't answer. She's frequently gone without his knowing where she is. It comes across quirky in the beginning but then it starts to dawn on the reader that this is not a healthy couple. Then it knocks you over the head.
As evidence and suspicion continue to increase, the reader can't even be sure if Alex is trustworthy. But did he kill the neighbor? Did his wife? Was it suicide? Turns out plenty of people had motive, could it be one of them?
A Line of Blood is a twisted and twisty thriller.
At first, it seemed it was a simple suicide. Sad, but fairly open and shut. But before long Alex realizes the police are treating the case as a murder - and Alex seems to be a suspect.
Simplicity is best in describing this one. Why? Because nothing is quite as it seems from the start. Even Alex is a bit slow to catch on - the fact that the police are still in the dead man's house a day later. The people showing up at his door asking for Mr. Bryce. The fact that the police want to interview his wife when she wasn't even home at the time the body was found.
It's more than that, though. We know from the start that something is off about Alex and Millicent. He wants to call her to let her know what's happened but knows she won't answer. She's frequently gone without his knowing where she is. It comes across quirky in the beginning but then it starts to dawn on the reader that this is not a healthy couple. Then it knocks you over the head.
As evidence and suspicion continue to increase, the reader can't even be sure if Alex is trustworthy. But did he kill the neighbor? Did his wife? Was it suicide? Turns out plenty of people had motive, could it be one of them?
A Line of Blood is a twisted and twisty thriller.
November 11, 2015
I LOVED this book! I'm so glad I won it as a firstreads. (Plus it was in hardcover) It was about a father (Alex) & son (Max) discovering their neighbor (Bryce) dead in the bathtub. At first, they believe it was suicide, until the police say otherwise. Then, Alex finds out his wife, Millicent, had an affair with the neighbor. Everyone is questioned by the police. A family's world is turned upside down & changed forever. I highly recommend this thriller to those who love suspense.
February 1, 2016
I speed-read my way through this book with its inane, confusing dialogue because it was a book club pick. From page one it was hard to follow the story, figure out the characters, or even find any real plot development. In the last few chapters the writing finally gained clarity. I would not recommend it, there are too many good books out there to spend time on this one.
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