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John Corbin #1
A Thin Line
John Corbin has been investigating, catching, and convicting murderers, rapists, and pedophiles for twenty years as a Seattle detective. But lately, someone has been beating him to the punch and eliminating these vile criminals before he can apprehend them. John is learning that there is a thin line between innocent or guilty, good or evil, alive or dead. By definition, a thin line is a very narrow division between two alternatives. Some being exact opposites, while others are separated by the narrowest of threads. This novel follows this definition to the letter. In life, many situations aren't just black or white. There is usually a modicum of grey to fill in the space. Who is right? Who is wrong? Who is good? Who is evil? Perhaps everyone at one time or another lies somewhere in the middle.... A Thin Line is a tale that will immediately draw you in and keep you guessing. A suspenseful psychological thriller with twists and turns that will toy with your mind and emotions, driven by a chilling narrative that builds the tension right up until its explosive conclusion.
218 pages, Paperback
Published February 20, 2016
90 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
David Boiani
6 books36 followersDavid Boiani is an American author living in Coventry, RI. He writes Psychological thrillers mixed with a touch of horror. He recently released a collection of short stories called "Dark Musings". He also plans to start "The redemption", the sequel to his debut novel, "A Thin Line", later this year. Visit his website here...
http://www.authordavidboiani.com/
http://www.authordavidboiani.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
November 23, 2018
Very interesting story of a detective,family man and true hero to the innocent. He is very good at his job, keeping horrific criminals away from victims, early in his career trading his life for that of a young woman held by a man with intent to kill her then himself. As time goes on, he becomes very aware of that thin line that exists between right and wrong, that sometimes what really needs to happen goes beyond what most can comprehend...
I really enjoyed this story and will definitely read more from this author. Anyone who enjoys a gritty story that makes you think should take a look at this book!
I really enjoyed this story and will definitely read more from this author. Anyone who enjoys a gritty story that makes you think should take a look at this book!
November 12, 2016
2.5 - 3 stars
Detective John Corbin has been with the Seattle Police for 20 years, spending his time carching some of the most vile murderers, rapists, pedophiles.
When he gets the first call, it's to investigate the remains of a man who has obviously been tortured and brutally murdered. Even the cops have a problem dealing with this kind of brutality.
And then another man is found ... tortured and murdered. And again, another man..
What links all these victims?
Not everything is black and white, There is that fine line between love and hate, good and evil, dead or alive.
The premise of this crime thriller is a good one, especially in following the clues to the final conclusion. Be prepared ... it's not what you think.
The only con I have is that the conversations felt stilted, almost childish at times. It did not feel like these conversations would really have been spoken the way they were written. I didn't really connect with the characters, so my enjoyment level was lowered.
I chose to read A THIN LINE ... my opinion is unbiased and entirely my own.
Many thanks to the author / City Owl Press / Netgalley.
Detective John Corbin has been with the Seattle Police for 20 years, spending his time carching some of the most vile murderers, rapists, pedophiles.
When he gets the first call, it's to investigate the remains of a man who has obviously been tortured and brutally murdered. Even the cops have a problem dealing with this kind of brutality.
And then another man is found ... tortured and murdered. And again, another man..
What links all these victims?
Not everything is black and white, There is that fine line between love and hate, good and evil, dead or alive.
The premise of this crime thriller is a good one, especially in following the clues to the final conclusion. Be prepared ... it's not what you think.
The only con I have is that the conversations felt stilted, almost childish at times. It did not feel like these conversations would really have been spoken the way they were written. I didn't really connect with the characters, so my enjoyment level was lowered.
I chose to read A THIN LINE ... my opinion is unbiased and entirely my own.
Many thanks to the author / City Owl Press / Netgalley.
February 6, 2017
This is an enjoyable crime thriller, which poses a very interesting question about morality. At the outset, I found the story about two police colleagues to be enthralling but as the story develops it becomes rather darker and there was one particular thread to the story that I wished had taken a different direction. I was literally shouting at one of the protagonists not to put his gun down, which shows how engrossed I was in the story. There are twists and a satisfying ending but you are left thinking about the actions of the main character and whether they are justified. I vote YES but you will need to read the book to reach your opinion!
July 14, 2016
“We stop the suffering in the ones we can reach.” This is the advice John Corbin, the main character in A Thin Line, receives from his wife when he wakes up from his usual nightmares, again asking why he's unable to fix the world. What a childish question… but what a natural question for me—I’ve wondered about fixing the world over and over again. This is why John grabbed my attention from the very first page.
As a skilled detective, John can’t tolerate his own failures: lives he didn’t manage to protect, cruelty he couldn't stop, murderers, rapists and pedophiles who escaped the punishment he considers fair for their crimes. “Yes, you are right,” John answers to his beloved wife, but deep inside he doubts whether letting go is the right decision. What if there’s a possibility to get even with criminals in another way, outside the law?
After John says something like “okay, honey, I know, I am not omnipotent”, I could feel that he wasn't going to give up his fight with the dark side of the world. At that point, I was lost in John’s story, which took me through his investigations, work problems, friendships, family life and life-changing events at an incredible pace. I really can’t tell you more—you need to read the novel.
A Thin Line, besides being a well-paced and very interesting thriller with numerous twists and turns and an impressive variety of investigations (each of them is very well-documented, with numerous details and interesting facts concerning the detectives' job), is a book concerning choices. We all have to make them, there’s no way to escape decisions. And there’s no way to avoid the consequences. If you decided to turn your eyes away from suffering, you have to accept the fact that you're too weak to face the violence. If, on the other hand, you decide to fight against the dark side of the world, you have to bear in mind that the price will also be high—John knows how high it can be. And which choice is right? When do we get too far and cross the thin line? There’s no answer.
David Boiani adds yet another layer to his multi-dimensional story: he wonders whether our fate is determined from the very beginning—or do we have the power to shape our lives? This discussion is hidden deep below the plot, but my prying eyes, seeking moral dilemmas, spotted it immediately and I have to honor the author for that—David Boiani doesn't turn the book into a philosophical treatise, but also doesn’t hesitate to use the opportunity to provide the reader with serious questions. Can people break the cycle and escape their troubled lives? Or are they doomed till the end of time to follow the footsteps of their mothers and fathers? “The answers all lie in the middle, in the dense, uncertain zone we call the grey area.”
Do I have any critical remarks concerning this book? No. Maybe one, but this is just a statement of fact: it’s packed with powerful images. The author is not afraid to give gruesome details, and writes them in a very simple yet appealing way. Be prepared to see the crime scenes as if you had visited them.
And now read on, this book is really worth it!
As a skilled detective, John can’t tolerate his own failures: lives he didn’t manage to protect, cruelty he couldn't stop, murderers, rapists and pedophiles who escaped the punishment he considers fair for their crimes. “Yes, you are right,” John answers to his beloved wife, but deep inside he doubts whether letting go is the right decision. What if there’s a possibility to get even with criminals in another way, outside the law?
After John says something like “okay, honey, I know, I am not omnipotent”, I could feel that he wasn't going to give up his fight with the dark side of the world. At that point, I was lost in John’s story, which took me through his investigations, work problems, friendships, family life and life-changing events at an incredible pace. I really can’t tell you more—you need to read the novel.
A Thin Line, besides being a well-paced and very interesting thriller with numerous twists and turns and an impressive variety of investigations (each of them is very well-documented, with numerous details and interesting facts concerning the detectives' job), is a book concerning choices. We all have to make them, there’s no way to escape decisions. And there’s no way to avoid the consequences. If you decided to turn your eyes away from suffering, you have to accept the fact that you're too weak to face the violence. If, on the other hand, you decide to fight against the dark side of the world, you have to bear in mind that the price will also be high—John knows how high it can be. And which choice is right? When do we get too far and cross the thin line? There’s no answer.
David Boiani adds yet another layer to his multi-dimensional story: he wonders whether our fate is determined from the very beginning—or do we have the power to shape our lives? This discussion is hidden deep below the plot, but my prying eyes, seeking moral dilemmas, spotted it immediately and I have to honor the author for that—David Boiani doesn't turn the book into a philosophical treatise, but also doesn’t hesitate to use the opportunity to provide the reader with serious questions. Can people break the cycle and escape their troubled lives? Or are they doomed till the end of time to follow the footsteps of their mothers and fathers? “The answers all lie in the middle, in the dense, uncertain zone we call the grey area.”
Do I have any critical remarks concerning this book? No. Maybe one, but this is just a statement of fact: it’s packed with powerful images. The author is not afraid to give gruesome details, and writes them in a very simple yet appealing way. Be prepared to see the crime scenes as if you had visited them.
And now read on, this book is really worth it!
December 8, 2016
3 Stars
Did I read the same book as everyone else? While the premise of this book is very good, the language was difficult. Aside from getting many things wrong about the City of Seattle, the editing was poor and the paragraph and chapter transitions were awful.
A warning for those who would like to know: there is much sex and violence in this book. Although that doesn’t bother me, I thought I should state it.
Detective John Corbin is set up as a philosopher expounding on everything. His partner, Todd McGrath, is a blank slate. He soaks up everything John says without thinking or judgement. He is a nonentity. John would follow his own hunches, without regard to the rest of the police force.
We start with the discovery of a male corpse horrifically mutilated. We then go on to a series of crimes, both related and not. In between the discoveries, John is philosophizing and giving Todd advice on his love life. There is little sense of the passage of time in this book although we know that time is passing because there are little hints here and there.
John’s friendship with Red seems rushed and forced. Would a detective really tell a “citizen” that much information about an arrest? Was this before the trail or after?
The denouement of this book is both a surprise and satisfying somehow. It is what made me give this book three stars. While not an absolutely awful book, it could definitely use more work.
If you’re looking for a straight detective/police procedural/get the bad guy book, then this one is not it.
Thank you to Netgalley and City Owl Press for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.
Did I read the same book as everyone else? While the premise of this book is very good, the language was difficult. Aside from getting many things wrong about the City of Seattle, the editing was poor and the paragraph and chapter transitions were awful.
A warning for those who would like to know: there is much sex and violence in this book. Although that doesn’t bother me, I thought I should state it.
Detective John Corbin is set up as a philosopher expounding on everything. His partner, Todd McGrath, is a blank slate. He soaks up everything John says without thinking or judgement. He is a nonentity. John would follow his own hunches, without regard to the rest of the police force.
We start with the discovery of a male corpse horrifically mutilated. We then go on to a series of crimes, both related and not. In between the discoveries, John is philosophizing and giving Todd advice on his love life. There is little sense of the passage of time in this book although we know that time is passing because there are little hints here and there.
John’s friendship with Red seems rushed and forced. Would a detective really tell a “citizen” that much information about an arrest? Was this before the trail or after?
The denouement of this book is both a surprise and satisfying somehow. It is what made me give this book three stars. While not an absolutely awful book, it could definitely use more work.
If you’re looking for a straight detective/police procedural/get the bad guy book, then this one is not it.
Thank you to Netgalley and City Owl Press for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.
June 19, 2018
The Thin Line by David Boiani is a thriller about a cop from Seattle, but it delves into relationships between partners on the police force, husband and wife, brothers, and the customer and bartender. We have a veteran cop and his family, a rookie cop in love, several serial killers, and a vigilante who picks off disgusting pervs. Let me say right now that I liked the ending. Maybe that makes me a bit of a vigilante at heart. There is quite a bit of gore, but not any more than other books of this type. The book swings back and forth from philosophy to blood and guts, and there were times I felt a bit of whiplash. All in all, I liked the book and I’d have given it five stars if not for the stilted and unnatural dialogue. People don’t converse that way. They wish they did, but they don’t. Oh, and I really liked the short chapters. Short chapters allow you to take a break when you need to instead of reading forever before you get to a stopping place, usually the end of a chapter. More authors could learn from that.
March 1, 2016
Very addicting. Intense. Couldn't put it down. Broke my heart at one point. It surprised me, for a change. I loved it! It is dark, but I really enjoyed it. It may make me an evil person, but I like how it turned out.
December 24, 2016
I’m tough to please, particularly in this genre: I have spent my life in legal education and scholarship, specifically teaching and writing on the law of evidence, and in particular, forensic psychiatric evidence. I approached A Thin Line with some skepticism.
I am glad to say that this skepticism was entirely unwarranted.
David Boiani’s story is well-constructed, and it is insightfully told. I have always held that the notion of being able “to keep one’s work out of one’s personal life” is preposterous, and Boiani’s John Corbin is “Exhibit A” that reveals this pretense.
Boiani keeps a high-paced, linear-driving narrative pounding, while diving off with many unforeseeable twists. But it was the numerous vantage points from which we see Corbin’s interacting humanity–with his family, with his broader relationships, with his philosophies–that kept me most-engrossed.
I must also commend Boiani with his precise and well-developed research. Every evidentiary detail is scientifically accurate–and accurate in how the law would treat the evidence, by my evaluation. This requires a significant degree of mastery of the intersections of these multiple areas (each of which is complex and each of which requires mastery). A+
I will warn you: this book is not for the squeamish. This is the raw, horrible, gruesome, human-as-a-horror truth of man’s depravity. I am surprised the book was not dripping blood as I held it.
Nor is it for the intellectually lazy who do not want to be confronted with one’s ultimate questions. A Thin Line points up those inquisitive.
Very well done!
I am glad to say that this skepticism was entirely unwarranted.
David Boiani’s story is well-constructed, and it is insightfully told. I have always held that the notion of being able “to keep one’s work out of one’s personal life” is preposterous, and Boiani’s John Corbin is “Exhibit A” that reveals this pretense.
Boiani keeps a high-paced, linear-driving narrative pounding, while diving off with many unforeseeable twists. But it was the numerous vantage points from which we see Corbin’s interacting humanity–with his family, with his broader relationships, with his philosophies–that kept me most-engrossed.
I must also commend Boiani with his precise and well-developed research. Every evidentiary detail is scientifically accurate–and accurate in how the law would treat the evidence, by my evaluation. This requires a significant degree of mastery of the intersections of these multiple areas (each of which is complex and each of which requires mastery). A+
I will warn you: this book is not for the squeamish. This is the raw, horrible, gruesome, human-as-a-horror truth of man’s depravity. I am surprised the book was not dripping blood as I held it.
Nor is it for the intellectually lazy who do not want to be confronted with one’s ultimate questions. A Thin Line points up those inquisitive.
Very well done!
October 30, 2017
Although this is not my typical genre, I enjoyed the unique storyline’s intense and relentless pace, as the author spun one point of view into several perspectives; entirely capturing me. The hero is likable and easy to commiserate with, and the author successfully held me in suspense, giving away neither too much nor too little. Having said that, however, I did find many of the passages required reading more than once to fully absorb the complexities of the writing and the forensics described. Some of the scenes were, indeed, gruesome, but I stuck with it because I was intrigued. Reading this one was a mental challenge, yet the thoroughly engaging tale held my interest in spite of occasional sense that I was reading a dissertation penned by someone from CSI and for those who find the mysteries of the crime scene enthralling, it’s a sure winner!
A Thrilling Mental Challenge!
A Thrilling Mental Challenge!
December 19, 2018
(Note: Trigger warning for graphic violence.)
Detective John Corbin loves his wife, his kids, his job in the Seattle PD, and has taken a new detective under his wing. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much time to enjoy his family as the city of Seattle seems to attract the most vicious and evil serial killers.
The book starts off with a bang as we witness a brutal killing. There are several serial killers, but the one who is the most interesting is Silas. The writer does a terrific job depicting what would be termed an "organized serial killer." However, the rest of the characters are rather flat. John spends a lot of time "giving advice" which comes off as proselytizing and all the women are one dimensional and are only there to service the men sexually. (This book would not pass the Bechdel test.)
The twist ending saves it though and I definitely did not see that coming.
Detective John Corbin loves his wife, his kids, his job in the Seattle PD, and has taken a new detective under his wing. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much time to enjoy his family as the city of Seattle seems to attract the most vicious and evil serial killers.
The book starts off with a bang as we witness a brutal killing. There are several serial killers, but the one who is the most interesting is Silas. The writer does a terrific job depicting what would be termed an "organized serial killer." However, the rest of the characters are rather flat. John spends a lot of time "giving advice" which comes off as proselytizing and all the women are one dimensional and are only there to service the men sexually. (This book would not pass the Bechdel test.)
The twist ending saves it though and I definitely did not see that coming.
March 3, 2020
This story is one to make you think about right and wrong and how easy it is to step over that "thin line" that divides them. Are there crimes so horrific that it's okay to take justice into your own hands? The killer certainly thinks so. You often hear, "Make the punishment fit the crime." If the monsters you come across in this story knew what their punishment would be, I bet they'd have had second thoughts about doing the beastly things they did. And yes, some of them will make you ill thinking about it. If you're sensitive to the cruelty one person can do to another human or an animal, you might want to pass on this book. Despite some editing hiccups, this is a book that kept my interest. The further I got into it, the more intense it became, with plenty of unexpected outcomes.
June 6, 2017
Not for the faint of heart. This is a dark story that grips you and holds you to the last page. It will challenge your thinking about right and wrong. It's probably a 5 stars story because it is so well written but I couldn't bring myself to do it because to say I loved it would be wrong for me. It's hard to believe it's an first novel by the author as it is well thought out and expressed a side of life that few admit to. The darkness that is in each of us and what can happen for those of us that are without a moral compass.
December 20, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Unfortunately I read the sequel first. However, I still think this author has a wonderful story line and great characters. I realize the main character, John Corbin, claims not to believe in God. Actually under all his insight into a criminal mind he would have to believe in order to stay sane. He does something he shouldn’t and then asks God to forgive him. I think we all believe in something bigger than ourselves even if we think we don’t. This book is awesome
June 14, 2022
One part police procedural, one part moral philosophy, one part family man. John Corbin is a crack shot detective who does his best to fight crime and make the world safer for the rest of us. He loves his family, supports his partner, and accepts that the world is full of grey, not black and white. We enter the minds of the criminals he hunts. We do all this without resorting to gratuitous violence or profanity. But people die here. The thin line is between right and wrong. Is vigilante justice ever justified?
June 1, 2019
I love a good thriller and this one didn't disappoint.
The author builds the pace nicely, leading us into the character's daily routine and family life, and then suddenly shocking the reader with some truly uncomfortable scenes. Great descriptive powers had me shuddering in one or two places and the neat, choppy writing style added to the general tension.
The story has some good twists as it draws us on into this world of crime and I'll be looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
The author builds the pace nicely, leading us into the character's daily routine and family life, and then suddenly shocking the reader with some truly uncomfortable scenes. Great descriptive powers had me shuddering in one or two places and the neat, choppy writing style added to the general tension.
The story has some good twists as it draws us on into this world of crime and I'll be looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
October 22, 2016
A gritty, fast paced cop story about an officer who struggles with the horrors of his job and tries to find some meaning and balance in her personal life. The hero is a likable character who tries to help others besides catching a psychotic killer. I tend to be stingy with my 5 star reviews. Though this one is well written and error free, it was a bit spare for me and at times read like "talking heads." It's a decent story though, and a fast read for anyone who loves a good cop story.
May 21, 2017
Disappointed
The writing was too stiff, there was no flow to it. At times it seemed a bit preachy for a novel. The climax was supposed to be a shock, but the way the reveal transpired, it felt like a wet sock falling to the ground *splat*. I kept hoping the book would get better.
The writing was too stiff, there was no flow to it. At times it seemed a bit preachy for a novel. The climax was supposed to be a shock, but the way the reveal transpired, it felt like a wet sock falling to the ground *splat*. I kept hoping the book would get better.
February 5, 2019
This book covers some interesting ground and has a few surprises. The style of writing is sophomoric, which set me off. The book makes a case for pure good and pure evil. As a result the characters are somewhat unrealistic. The ending is very unrealistic.
December 7, 2019
Story line
The story line was good however some chapters were irrelevant and i felt they took away the hero aspect of the book. We did not require an entire chapter on giving head of a sexual encounter to know the characters
The story line was good however some chapters were irrelevant and i felt they took away the hero aspect of the book. We did not require an entire chapter on giving head of a sexual encounter to know the characters
April 22, 2019
I loved it and also the "wise" conversations with the family. I never guessed who the vigilante was, norm predicted the out come. Excellent work!
March 12, 2020
Well told story! Especially liked the development of Corbin and McGrath characters and their close relationship. Also something to think about regarding the age old questions.
November 3, 2020
I really liked the premise of this book! It made me not want to put it down, however the conversations were soooo stilted it felt a bit off. Hence the 3 stars.
December 9, 2025
A child wrote this book. I've read better in tinder bios.
July 12, 2016
There is an awful lot to like about Boiani's A Thin Line, but also there were little aspects of it that nagged away at me and whilst not actually detracting from my reading, perhaps did detract a little from my overall enjoyment of what was essentially an excellent story.
A Thin Line is a moral posing book - one that asks questions of the reader and then supplies the answers in this particular case. The story focuses on two detectives in Seattle, Washington whose day to day cases drawn them close to and deep into the seediest and basest side of life. John and his junior partner on the force Todd, investigate and solve the most horrific of the crimes in the county. This book is definitely not for the faint-hearted as the story takes us through murderers, paedophiles, cannibalism and just about any other form of vile human behaviour possible. The author is descriptive and candid when describing crime scenes and victims, so there is plenty of blood and guts.
The book is also about bonding, about fraternity and partnership. John, as the more experienced of the two detectives spends much of his time passing on his philosophy of life to his junior partner, Todd, who despite the good-natured banter between the two, laps it up. Throw in an Irish bartender for John to pour his heart out to when things get a bit too tough out on the mean streets, a loving and understanding wife plus two sweet children and you have a real soap opera of emotions and relationships.
The basic premise of the novel is explored very well in my opinion; that extremely thin line between good and evil, life and death, innocence and guilt or nature vs nurture. The book is extremely fast paced and there is little time to rest between the action. I certainly found it an intriguing read and one I found difficult to put down until I found out the final result.
As I intimated earlier there were just a couple of minor things that caused me to mark this fine book down. The first of these was the chapter length. The chapters were exceptionally short and allowed very little time for character development or for the reader to get to know the protagonists and empathise or identify with them. I found, just as I was getting into one story arc, we were off at breakneck speed on a tangential arc. It wasn't a big deal, but just annoying enough to pick away at me.
The second issue isn't necessarily a criticism of the work, more an observation. Reading the main character John Corbin, I almost got the impression the author wanted to infuse his character with his own personal philosophies about life, about purpose and about what it means to be normal. While there is nothing innately wrong with authors doing this - in fact I'm sure we all do do it, to a lesser or greater extent, I felt it was almost overdone in this character. I guess I might be stereotyping here, but a case-worn detective, who waxes so philosophical at times, seemed to me to be almost out of place and unbelievable. Nonetheless, I did enjoy reading these philosophies, although at times I wondered which was the story; the cases or the philosophy of life?
All that having been said, this was a cracking story with plenty of twists and turns. I really did enjoy it and would definitely recommend it. A good, solid four-star read in my book. What it did do was make me want to read more but David Boiani, but I think this was his debut and only novel to date. I hope he produces more. There's a real talent in there. Great job!
A Thin Line is a moral posing book - one that asks questions of the reader and then supplies the answers in this particular case. The story focuses on two detectives in Seattle, Washington whose day to day cases drawn them close to and deep into the seediest and basest side of life. John and his junior partner on the force Todd, investigate and solve the most horrific of the crimes in the county. This book is definitely not for the faint-hearted as the story takes us through murderers, paedophiles, cannibalism and just about any other form of vile human behaviour possible. The author is descriptive and candid when describing crime scenes and victims, so there is plenty of blood and guts.
The book is also about bonding, about fraternity and partnership. John, as the more experienced of the two detectives spends much of his time passing on his philosophy of life to his junior partner, Todd, who despite the good-natured banter between the two, laps it up. Throw in an Irish bartender for John to pour his heart out to when things get a bit too tough out on the mean streets, a loving and understanding wife plus two sweet children and you have a real soap opera of emotions and relationships.
The basic premise of the novel is explored very well in my opinion; that extremely thin line between good and evil, life and death, innocence and guilt or nature vs nurture. The book is extremely fast paced and there is little time to rest between the action. I certainly found it an intriguing read and one I found difficult to put down until I found out the final result.
As I intimated earlier there were just a couple of minor things that caused me to mark this fine book down. The first of these was the chapter length. The chapters were exceptionally short and allowed very little time for character development or for the reader to get to know the protagonists and empathise or identify with them. I found, just as I was getting into one story arc, we were off at breakneck speed on a tangential arc. It wasn't a big deal, but just annoying enough to pick away at me.
The second issue isn't necessarily a criticism of the work, more an observation. Reading the main character John Corbin, I almost got the impression the author wanted to infuse his character with his own personal philosophies about life, about purpose and about what it means to be normal. While there is nothing innately wrong with authors doing this - in fact I'm sure we all do do it, to a lesser or greater extent, I felt it was almost overdone in this character. I guess I might be stereotyping here, but a case-worn detective, who waxes so philosophical at times, seemed to me to be almost out of place and unbelievable. Nonetheless, I did enjoy reading these philosophies, although at times I wondered which was the story; the cases or the philosophy of life?
All that having been said, this was a cracking story with plenty of twists and turns. I really did enjoy it and would definitely recommend it. A good, solid four-star read in my book. What it did do was make me want to read more but David Boiani, but I think this was his debut and only novel to date. I hope he produces more. There's a real talent in there. Great job!
September 8, 2017
I loved this book so much!! It's crazy and fast paced. You almost root for the bad guy cause he's putting a hurt on the real bad guys. Keeps you guessing until the end. It is really gory and detailed. I immediately called my sister and told her to buy the book and start reading it so we could talk about it!! She's also loving it's craziness. It reminds me of Richard Laymon's writing. Really well done!!
February 26, 2017
A man of principle finds himself increasingly disturbed by the principles he is trying to uphold. Divorcing his job from his life is becoming more difficult as time goes on. He finds himself balancing on the edge of that very thin line that separates the cop from the killer. It is a question of balance and his ability to maintain.
June 29, 2016
4.5 stars
This is a wonderful story. My only reason for not going 5 stars is perhaps petty and overly technical. I thought there were far too many page-long paragraphs that could have been broken up. But the tale itself is marvelous. The only other caveat I’d mention up front is the murders are very gruesome and graphically described. In that sense, the book reminded me of the movie Seven, which also had a long list of graphically laid out heinous crimes, and haunting images that just stick with you.
But our hero is imminently likeable, smart, and the case he’s pursuing of a vigilante out to set the world right is both captivating and compellingly told. I was instantly hooked and regretted there not being at least a dozen more of these novels to jump right into. The author did his homework in order to render the crimes and the CSI components realistically, describing for instance in detail autolysis, and the various states of decomposition.
The pace is relentless. There is nothing suggesting the killer is anywhere close to being captured even with all the clues coming in, but at least each one forwards the investigation in some way, so the story never feels like it stalls. John, moreover, gets to come up for air periodically from his grim work to take a moment with his family, or bring happiness into someone’s life by returning a beloved dog he rescued from a dog fighting ring.
This is a wonderful story. My only reason for not going 5 stars is perhaps petty and overly technical. I thought there were far too many page-long paragraphs that could have been broken up. But the tale itself is marvelous. The only other caveat I’d mention up front is the murders are very gruesome and graphically described. In that sense, the book reminded me of the movie Seven, which also had a long list of graphically laid out heinous crimes, and haunting images that just stick with you.
But our hero is imminently likeable, smart, and the case he’s pursuing of a vigilante out to set the world right is both captivating and compellingly told. I was instantly hooked and regretted there not being at least a dozen more of these novels to jump right into. The author did his homework in order to render the crimes and the CSI components realistically, describing for instance in detail autolysis, and the various states of decomposition.
The pace is relentless. There is nothing suggesting the killer is anywhere close to being captured even with all the clues coming in, but at least each one forwards the investigation in some way, so the story never feels like it stalls. John, moreover, gets to come up for air periodically from his grim work to take a moment with his family, or bring happiness into someone’s life by returning a beloved dog he rescued from a dog fighting ring.
September 23, 2016
I want to give this book a 3.5. A Thin Line is a dark thriller about a detective who's struggling with the emotional impact his job has had on him. He and his partner investigate serial killers and other violent crimes, which has left its mark quite profoundly on the lead detective's psyche. I loved that the main character was very introspective and philosophical. David Boiani devoted a lot of space to showing us the inner turmoil of a person who has spent the better part of his adult life witnessing horrible savage violence. This aspect of his life is shown in contrast to his roles as husband, father and friend. The characterization is fascinating.
As a thriller, the book is fast-paced and looks at a number of crimes, leaving the reader with some very disturbing images. Boiani has crafted a story with twists and turns, giving the reader a unique experience in a genre that can be formulaic at times.
I enjoyed the story very much but the writing, especially the dialogue, seemed a little wooden, creating irony and humor that I don't believe was intentional. This was the reason I didn't give the book a higher rating. That being said, the quirkiness of the characters and the constant tension kept me reading to the end. I'm very interested to see what the author does next.
As a thriller, the book is fast-paced and looks at a number of crimes, leaving the reader with some very disturbing images. Boiani has crafted a story with twists and turns, giving the reader a unique experience in a genre that can be formulaic at times.
I enjoyed the story very much but the writing, especially the dialogue, seemed a little wooden, creating irony and humor that I don't believe was intentional. This was the reason I didn't give the book a higher rating. That being said, the quirkiness of the characters and the constant tension kept me reading to the end. I'm very interested to see what the author does next.
December 30, 2016
Warning! Read on empty stomach. The characters in this novel speak in stiff terms. They hardly
ever use a contraction. After I got past that, this book never ceased to surprise me. John is a detective who is hunting sick bas##### who are committing gruesome murders. And then there's a vigilante on the loose. I was eating, drinking and reading. Don't do that. I kid you not when I say my mouth fell open so wide that my chin was in my lap. My stomach contents were trying to climb out. You find yourself hunting theses sick killers and then suddenly you are tossed into the everyday life of John and his family. Each new murder had me gasping; gruesome and gory, but I couldn't put the book down. I was addicted. All in, hunting with John. And then the story took a sharp turn. I had to double back around that turn just to make sure I read what I thought I read. Just before the sharp turn, there was a point where I thought, yep, here it is, the capture. The author would not let this happen. Oh my gawd, it happened plus more. Again my mouth was open. Only this time my eyes were just as wide along with my flaring nostrils. 5 gruesome stars, 5 gory stars, 5 thriller stars, 5 stars for shocking the hell out of me!
Brigitta Moon
ever use a contraction. After I got past that, this book never ceased to surprise me. John is a detective who is hunting sick bas##### who are committing gruesome murders. And then there's a vigilante on the loose. I was eating, drinking and reading. Don't do that. I kid you not when I say my mouth fell open so wide that my chin was in my lap. My stomach contents were trying to climb out. You find yourself hunting theses sick killers and then suddenly you are tossed into the everyday life of John and his family. Each new murder had me gasping; gruesome and gory, but I couldn't put the book down. I was addicted. All in, hunting with John. And then the story took a sharp turn. I had to double back around that turn just to make sure I read what I thought I read. Just before the sharp turn, there was a point where I thought, yep, here it is, the capture. The author would not let this happen. Oh my gawd, it happened plus more. Again my mouth was open. Only this time my eyes were just as wide along with my flaring nostrils. 5 gruesome stars, 5 gory stars, 5 thriller stars, 5 stars for shocking the hell out of me!
Brigitta Moon
August 26, 2016
Seattle detective John Corbin spends his working life catching rapists, murderers and paedophiles, but a new killer is on the prowl, ridding the world of villains before the police can intervene. As Corbin discovers more bodies, he is faced with a dilemma – the gap between good and evil appears to grow ever smaller, and Corbin begins to wonder if he knows the difference any more. And if that’s the case, what should he do about it?
David Boiani has written an interesting novel, where instead of the usual police procedural, we follow the central character (Corbin) as he struggles to deal with the horror and suffering he faces every day. The story is peppered with some pretty grisly scenes (wonderfully described BTW), so those not possessed of a cast-iron stomach may want to give it a miss.
While this is a curious take on the usual cop/murder scenario, I found it hard to like the protagonist with his habit of dishing out advice and observations on life to all and sundry. He’s certainly a fascinating character, but by the time I finished the book, I’d had enough of him. Nevertheless, it’ll be interesting to see what Mister Boiani comes up with next.
David Boiani has written an interesting novel, where instead of the usual police procedural, we follow the central character (Corbin) as he struggles to deal with the horror and suffering he faces every day. The story is peppered with some pretty grisly scenes (wonderfully described BTW), so those not possessed of a cast-iron stomach may want to give it a miss.
While this is a curious take on the usual cop/murder scenario, I found it hard to like the protagonist with his habit of dishing out advice and observations on life to all and sundry. He’s certainly a fascinating character, but by the time I finished the book, I’d had enough of him. Nevertheless, it’ll be interesting to see what Mister Boiani comes up with next.
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