Between Two Slopes

by Ed A. Murray

Deemed altogether a “complex” yet “relatable” debut novel, Between Two Slopes tells the story of one Northern Michigan family’s struggle to reunite following a devastating tragedy.

It has been a year since 15-year-old Allison and 18-year-old Allen lost their mother and older brother. Along with their father, they must now finally face the cruel reality of life after loss. But with their father losing his job, Allen struggling to plant himself back into law-abiding society, and Allison secretly sneaking off with her late brother’s best friend, this may be more difficult than anyone could have imagined.

Weaving death and danger, desperation and desire, Murray travels the path of one family’s fight to find happiness when the valley of despair seems too steep to climb out.

Set in beautiful Cheboygan, Michigan, Between Two Slopes puts the responsibility on the survivors to keep the loss of loved ones from destroying an entire family.

237 pages, Paperback

First published November 29, 2013

About the author

Ed A. Murray is an author, ghostwriter and University of Michigan alumnus. Autumn in Wolf Valley (2025) is his fourth book, all of which are set at least partially in his home state of Michigan, where he lives with his wife, two daughters and their mini Australian shepherd.

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between Two Slopes by Ed A. Murray

This was a fine debut by this author. I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to get into it, but I was wrong. The synopsis, like most, is a bit dramatic. Although, the question there of "How can we allow the loss of loved ones to result in the destruction of an entire family?" is heartbreaking, because it too often does. The overall story is good and well written. The characters were easy to care about. The best compliment I can think of is that this author has every chance to make his mom's words come true (GAN) - if not this book in particular, I have no doubt as he develops there will be one...and maybe even many! You'll have to read the book :) To his Dad I say "He surely did it! And very well at that!" I am looking forward to more!

Recommended to all over the age of...16 ? Probably should have the ability to understand right and wrong, violence, sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, loss and death. It's not extremely heavily burdened with these things but they are there.

I received this book from the author/publisher after being selected as a winner in the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. My copy is autographed so I'm going to hang on to it. I'm thinking it's only the beginning and we are going to see some excellent works in the future. I'll be able to say "I have his very first (published) book and look… he wrote me a personal message!" :)

[Lisa Ortlieb · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a young man, Ed A. Murray has a gift for keenly observing and describing people in their day to day motions. He can also convey the complexity of their thoughts and relationships in tough situations. I enjoyed reading Between Two Slopes. I cared about these two families going through a transition. The characters were imperfect and real. I look forward to reading more stories by this insightful author!

[Cara Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book by a talented author. Murray does a great job with painting a beautiful Northern Michigan setting. He brings each character to life and accurately depicts the hardships of having to overcome tragedy and loss. This book has it all... humor, trauma, romance, action, suspense.... painting a unique picture of small town living. This book can relate to a vast audience and will impact how we choose what we value and cherish in life.

[Kelsey Marks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt real to me. It had its slow moments, but you could feel the emotion of the characters and what they were going through and it made it all feel real. Borderline 4 or 5 here, but I had to go with a 4.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom won Between Two Slopes in Goodreads First Reads Giveaway and shared it with me after she read it.

Aaron, Allen and Allison, along with their parents Dr. Leonard and Sue moved next door to to Bryan and his single mother, Tracy. In an auto accident when Sue was taking Aaron to college they were both killed. Between Two Slopes refers to the two back yards that formed slopes to a creek that ran between the two homes. Each member of the family looked for peace on the bench that Leonard had built for Sue beside the creek, where she would go to read and find a quiet time with her busy family.

Allison finds comfort in Bryan's arms. The problem is she is sixteen and he is twenty-one, so they hide their relationship for months. Allen gets in a fight at school and pulls a knife and is suspended. The local hospital closes and Dr. Leonard finds he is unemployed. He takes up the guitar and starts doing shows at Tracy's bar and restaurant. The boys form a partnership selling pot they grow in the woods behind their houses. It all comes to a head when Travis, the guy in the fight with Allen kidnaps Allison; she sprays him with maze and gets away. He comes after her, uses his knife on Allen and Bryan wounds him in self-defense.

In the end they all realize that life goes on, not that you forget those that are gone but along the way they all realize that neither Aaron or Sue would want them to be sad forever. The author did a good job dealing with grief and the recovery for families from loss.

[Greg Hummel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much of what Ed A. Murray writes in this exquisite piece of fiction is so relatable to anyone who has tried "moving on" in the wake of a tragic loss. Told in a multiple first person narrative and set against the backdrop of beautiful northern Michigan (God's Country for those who've never been), the reader sees in very real ways, through the eyes of four characters tied to the death of a mother and son, how people cope with death of those closest to them. The psychology here is very real, as Murray describes, not the events involved in the tragedy, but how the family is dealing with the aftermath a year later. Much like a Mitch Albom work, Murray grabs you early and makes you immediately empathize with one or more characters, usually whom you relate the most to. I can not wait to see what more Murray has in his brain for future works. If they are anything like Between Two Slopes, we have a new name to add to the list of great Michigan authors. My question is, who contacts Jeff Daniels to make a movie about this?

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between Two Slopes is named to identify the back yard geography of the main characters in the story. One family has lost the mother and one son in an accident. The father is dealing with his loss and the loss felt by his other son and daughter. In addition his job ends when the local hospital closes and he becomes an unemployed doctor.

He finds his old guitar and takes up playing and singing again. His daughter becomes involved with the older boy next door and his son gets in a fight at school.

Solutions, acceptance and sticking it out as a loving family bring this story to an interesting conclusion but not all of what you would expect, so read the book to find out about the love of a family dealing with major problems, it is worth it.

My thanks to Ed A. Murray and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Program for my copy of Between Two Slopes.

[Mena Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a young man, Ed shows a very keen insight into the developing emotions of characters in such a difficult situation. I look forward to his next book to see his evolution as a writer.