All the Dead Lie Down

Molly Cates #3

by Mary Willis Walker

When true-crime reporter Molly Cates's father died more than twenty-five years ago, his death was ruled a suicide, and Molly's obsessive efforts to prove otherwise led to nothing but anguish and the breakup of her family. Now new information comes her way and she reopens the old investigation with a vengeance, but the answers she finally wrests from the past leave her with a moral dilemma she never anticipated. Her quest becomes even more painful when Molly encounters a homeless woman who insists she knows about a secret plot to kill everyone in the Texas legislature. By the time she convinces Molly it's true, it may be too late to prevent disaster.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Audiobook

308 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Mary Willis Walker is the author of Zero at the Bone, which won both the Agatha and Macavity awards and was nominated for an Edgar; The Red Scream, winner of the Edgar Award; and Under the Beetle's Cellar, recipient of the Hammett Prize, the Anthony Award, and the Macavity Award. She lives in Austin, Texas, where she is now at work on her fifth novel.

Reviews

[CJ Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Texas author, writing about Austin, which I consider the only city in Texas worth living in.

[Seija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yllätys löytö hyllystä. Juonet pysyi alusta loppuun. Luen kirjailijan toisenkin teoksen.

[Belén LuSa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just can’t understand the need to call her dad, daddy. She’s a 45 yo woman. At first I thought it was a literary decision to make her look immature on this loss or to talk about her character… but no. People also refer like that to her father.

The book is okay. But it seems like the author wanted to cover many issues on one go and has ended up leaving too many open reflections. For such widely political topics, there needs to be a better way to address them.

I did enjoy the changes of perception that the main character goes through as I think it makes her much more interesting. But honestly, what a wreck of a person. And there were moments I just wanted to slap her in the face to make her come to terms that she’s not a child or to talk sense to her.

It has been a painful read overall. But I appreciate the rawness of the characters.

[SueChor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m going through the shelf of mysteries by women that I brought when I moved into this house 20 years ago, rereading, and deciding whether to keep any. While this was a bit memorable for its inclusion of street people (give it 3.5 stars), I’m sending it to the library book sale. Molly Cates is an investigative reporter; she and Cow Lady (homeless) become embroiled in murder and mayhem in Texas. Molly keeps knowingly getting herself into such danger and hot water that I became impatient with her, but that’s how the plot thickens. I’d read another by Mary Willis Walker though.

[Mariana Zendejas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has several amazing messages about dealing with grief, forgiveness, and even social issues. I bought this book at a very old bookstore in New Orleans and wasn’t expecting for it to become one of my favorite reads but it has truly proven to be a emotional whirlwind. I found that it was very relevant to today’s social struggles in Texas despite being published in 1998 and set in the 70’s. Being able to spot the similarities and differences between in today’s 22nd and 20th culture kept me actively engaged in this wonderful book.

[Storm Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the Dead Lie Down is a mystery-suspense book that I could not put down. With fleshed-out, flawed characters and themes of social issues, it felt almost real. The only criticism I have about this book is that Molly has no visible character development. At the beginning of the book, she is harsh, temperamental, and reckless; this changes very little by the book’s end. Sarah Grace’s character development is slower but noticeable. Overall, I recommend this book; just read the trigger warnings first.

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent; Continuing character: crime reporter Molly Cates; while researching a story on the homeless, Molly also pursues again the death of her father - which she believes to be a murder while all others think it was a suicide 28 years ago; in the meantime a terror plot against the Texas legislature is being planned and a homeless person may be the only chance to foil the plot

[Therese Bergwall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Läst på svenska: ...och de döda ligger ner

[Treva Hearne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good amount of action; interesting issues; everyone is flawed, but you still like them.

[Vijay Karthik Kalyanasundaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice gripper as well as page turner. Indeed the author took it deep into the story explaining everything short and crisp. One of the best books that I have read till now.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about two women coming to grips with who they are, but the author didn't wrap up the main event or the bad guy.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1998. Solid mystery in the Molly Cates series.

[Thrisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish the whole book was from the perspective of Sarah Jane Hurley

[Sondra Wolferman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm usually not a big fan of the suspense/thriller genre, but this one has a depth of emotion and characterization that puts it above the typical thriller. Two women from opposite ends of the social spectrum---one a professional journalist, the other a homeless alcoholic---join forces through a fateful series of events to foil a murder plot. The suspense builds slowly but steadily until it culminates in an explosive climax that is very well written. If the book had ended there, or shortly thereafter, I might have given it four stars, but the story continued for several more chapters so that it ended with a sentimental whimper rather than a big bang. It is worth noting that the author created a realistic portrait of homelessness in our society, neither romanticizing nor demonizing the homeless, but describing with great accuracy their daily struggle for survival. I could have done without the nursery rhymes and the occasional Shakespearean quote that began every new chapter, but otherwise I found this an enjoyable and worthwhile read.

[Jeri · Rating 4 out of 5]

IN THE BEETLE'S CELLAR, Walker's previous book, was a hard act to
follow. ALL THE DEAD LIE DOWN did not reach the same level of
excitement, but it is still very, very good. There are two mostly
unrelated plots going on; the first (and I think, most important) of
these is Molly Cates' continuing search for the truth about her father's
death over 25 years ago. At the same time, a homeless woman overhears
talk of a conspiracy to commit mass murder. When she gets up the nerve
to contact Molly, will Molly be able to believe her?

While I think this book suffers somewhat from the dual (and unrelated)
plots, it was still an enjoyable read. I'd say even an "average" book
from this author is better than most.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molly Cates has never beilieved that her father committed suicide and while sitting the capitol in Austin, a ghost from her past crops back up. The sheriff who never really investigated her father's death is sitting across the gallery from her. Still haunted by the loss of her father, Molly vows to find out exactly what happened 25 years ago.

Reopening the case, takes her across the state and uncovers secrets that she never wanted to know.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, but after Under the Beetle's Cellar this was a letdown. I'd've been fine with never delving into Molly's father's death any deeper than that it permanently scarred her adult personality and skewed her adult relationships. Not everything needs to get tied with a bow.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more of a thriller than a mystery. Starts kinda' slow but becomes intense, dark and captivating. The protagonist, Molly Cates, is so human with numerous foibles. She is learning about herself and forgiveness in her 40s. Very good read.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read all of this author's books. My favorite is Under the Beatles Cellar. This, her last book, was the weakest but was still enjoyable. The author, like her heroine Molly Cates, is a real Texan. These books do not have to be read in order.

[Kimberlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

some true words on our daily view of homelessness...

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a very suspenseful book

[sara warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think this is the one i liked best because of the interesting homeless characters. since it is set in austin, it was like i was there with them as they walked the streets.

[Isabel S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have liked all her books. they aren't for everyone. Darker and lighter. This book kept you going back and forth, who did it? Kept you reading.

[LisaSunshineGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molly Cates, reporter obsessed with her father's mysterious death

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a pretty good book. The end was a little... expected, I think, but otherwise definitely enjoyable.

[J.R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost rated it 4 stars but it really annoys me when authors throw sex stuff in just for the heck of it. Great story though aside from a few paragraphs.

[Mam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Molly - warts and all. This is the 2nd book with her as the chief character I have read.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to it as an audio book and the narrator, Anna Fields, is great.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Willis Walker: where have you gone?

[Marca]

Okay