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A Line Intersected
"A man’s highest duty is to protect his loved ones. Failing that, his next duty is to seek revenge."
San Diego architect Michael Collwood finds his life shattered after his beautiful wife is murdered with an intentional cocaine overdose, and the police name him as the prime suspect. After two years the investigation grows cold and Michael has lost everything else: his career, his home, his friends, and his self-respect.
Drinking heavily, he hikes far into the desert where he plans to end his ravaged life. But while there he witnesses a small plane crash and at the crash site he finds a dead pilot, one hundred kilos of cocaine, and two million in cash. Michael realizes he now has the opportunity to find his wife’s killers, and he returns to San Diego with one thought on his mind: revenge.
But Michael discovers he represents a threat to a politically ambitious mayor, the DEA, and a Mexican drug lord. In his quest to find his wife’s killers, Michael finds he can trust no one but a wise, homeless old man who believes he is living in the 18th century.
San Diego architect Michael Collwood finds his life shattered after his beautiful wife is murdered with an intentional cocaine overdose, and the police name him as the prime suspect. After two years the investigation grows cold and Michael has lost everything else: his career, his home, his friends, and his self-respect.
Drinking heavily, he hikes far into the desert where he plans to end his ravaged life. But while there he witnesses a small plane crash and at the crash site he finds a dead pilot, one hundred kilos of cocaine, and two million in cash. Michael realizes he now has the opportunity to find his wife’s killers, and he returns to San Diego with one thought on his mind: revenge.
But Michael discovers he represents a threat to a politically ambitious mayor, the DEA, and a Mexican drug lord. In his quest to find his wife’s killers, Michael finds he can trust no one but a wise, homeless old man who believes he is living in the 18th century.
- GenresFiction
422 pages, Paperback
Published November 3, 2017
4 people are currently reading
719 people want to read
About the author
David Grant Urban
2 books17 followersDavid Grant Urban is an award-winning author and San Diego native who has done a little of everything in life, but prefers writing most of all.
His debut novel, a literary noir thriller titled "A Line Intersected," has won several awards, including:
-2018 IAN Book of the Year Award Finalist
-2018 American Fiction Awards Finalist
-2018 Readers Favorite Finalist
–2018 Florida Book Festival Runner Up
-2018 Wishing Shelf Awards Finalist
-2018 Hollywood Book Festival Honorable Mention
-2018 Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention
–2018 New England Book Festival Honorable Mention
-2018 London Book Festival Honorable Mention
At nineteen he bicycled border to border and lived briefly in Vancouver, Canada, before traveling coast to coast by train several times. Out of money, he lived and worked in New Orleans for a year before returning home.
Back in San Diego he lived aboard a sailboat a few years, started a chemical compounding firm, worked his way through college, and spent far too many years working in retail.
He lives in San Marcos, California, and is quietly at work on another novel and a volume of short stories.
His debut novel, a literary noir thriller titled "A Line Intersected," has won several awards, including:
-2018 IAN Book of the Year Award Finalist
-2018 American Fiction Awards Finalist
-2018 Readers Favorite Finalist
–2018 Florida Book Festival Runner Up
-2018 Wishing Shelf Awards Finalist
-2018 Hollywood Book Festival Honorable Mention
-2018 Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention
–2018 New England Book Festival Honorable Mention
-2018 London Book Festival Honorable Mention
At nineteen he bicycled border to border and lived briefly in Vancouver, Canada, before traveling coast to coast by train several times. Out of money, he lived and worked in New Orleans for a year before returning home.
Back in San Diego he lived aboard a sailboat a few years, started a chemical compounding firm, worked his way through college, and spent far too many years working in retail.
He lives in San Marcos, California, and is quietly at work on another novel and a volume of short stories.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 3, 2019
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: A Line Intersected
Author: David Grant Urban
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 15 readers:
14 would read another book by this author.
12 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
14 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
13 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
14 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘A dark story in many ways and utterly gripping. Yes, the language is a little too wordy for me – I did skip the odd page – but the plot’s solid.’ Male reader, aged 34
‘For me, this was one of the best books in this year’s award. The cast of characters are interesting – even the secondary, and I loved the dark setting and twisting plot.’ Female reader, aged 52
‘Well-written. The San Diego setting grabs the author. I didn’t relate well to Michael, the hero. I thought he was a bit of a creep. Plenty of pace with short chapters.’ Male reader, aged 58
‘Dark, haunting, sad, a bit depressing, this is not a light read. It’s a story of revenge; of murder. If you like a dark thriller, this is for you. If you want a light beach read, find another book.’ Male reader, aged 55
‘There’s a good flow to this story which I enjoyed. The hero is pretty messed up as he sets off on his journey of revenge. What I particularly liked was how surprised I often was; it’s very cleverly plotted.’ Male reader, aged 37
To Sum It Up:
‘A dark thriller of betrayal and revenge. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: A Line Intersected
Author: David Grant Urban
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 15 readers:
14 would read another book by this author.
12 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
14 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
13 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
14 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘A dark story in many ways and utterly gripping. Yes, the language is a little too wordy for me – I did skip the odd page – but the plot’s solid.’ Male reader, aged 34
‘For me, this was one of the best books in this year’s award. The cast of characters are interesting – even the secondary, and I loved the dark setting and twisting plot.’ Female reader, aged 52
‘Well-written. The San Diego setting grabs the author. I didn’t relate well to Michael, the hero. I thought he was a bit of a creep. Plenty of pace with short chapters.’ Male reader, aged 58
‘Dark, haunting, sad, a bit depressing, this is not a light read. It’s a story of revenge; of murder. If you like a dark thriller, this is for you. If you want a light beach read, find another book.’ Male reader, aged 55
‘There’s a good flow to this story which I enjoyed. The hero is pretty messed up as he sets off on his journey of revenge. What I particularly liked was how surprised I often was; it’s very cleverly plotted.’ Male reader, aged 37
To Sum It Up:
‘A dark thriller of betrayal and revenge. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
February 4, 2018
I loved this book. The characters are real, the story complex, a thrill of a read. It explores good and evil, and what happens when the two intersect. The main character, Michael, is faced with this as he pursues his goal of revenge after his life is shattered. His revenge takes him down the paths of evil drug-dealers, ambitious politicians and the back-streets of the homeless. Particularly loved the character of Books, the homeless old man who lives in the past as a means to escape the evil and brutality around him. Enjoyed the story immensely. Definitely looking forward to David Grant Urban's next novel!
July 15, 2018
When they succeed in killing your wife and leave you for dead, first you drink and then you get revenge.
A Line Intersected is a grand adventure from the Mexican desert to urban San Diego with a cast of characters ranging from a once naïve architect, a smooth-talking politician, gangs, cops, a hair dresser and the homeless. Some can be trusted and some you should never turn your back on. Which are which and who is responsible for killing Michaels Collwood’s wife?
David Urban Grant is a great storyteller! Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
A Line Intersected is a grand adventure from the Mexican desert to urban San Diego with a cast of characters ranging from a once naïve architect, a smooth-talking politician, gangs, cops, a hair dresser and the homeless. Some can be trusted and some you should never turn your back on. Which are which and who is responsible for killing Michaels Collwood’s wife?
David Urban Grant is a great storyteller! Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
October 31, 2018
As a San Diego resident, it was interesting to read about familiar landmarks and historical pieces of San Diego, much was taken from facts and then arranged to create an interesting journey of a man seeking the men who murdered his wife and destroyed his life, with interesting characters along the way who assist or block his journey. The view of the homeless and their seasonal moves in San Diego rang true. It was well written and kept my attention and had a satisfying conclusion.
November 18, 2019
From the author: Thank you so much to those who have read the novel and added reviews and ratings. The novel has won over 9 awards so far, but the personal feedback from readers is so much more heartwarming. Hopefully my second novel will receive as warm as welcome as A Line Intersected has. - Best wishes, David Grant Urban.
January 4, 2018
Very compelling characters, with a relatable protagonist who is an average guy dealing with unimaginably trying circumstances. I appreciated the compassionate portrayal of homeless men and women as individuals.
March 1, 2018
Review of a copy from Goodreads. I very much enjoy this authors writing style and ability to draw one into the story. A worthwhile and entertaining read. Hope to see further works by this very talented author.
December 11, 2018
Nice revenge story with a love interest. San Diego is one of the characters. Probably a good description of the homeless, but I wouldn't know. I thought it had a slow start, but really picked up in the middle and end.
December 17, 2017
Rich, complex novel about a man dealing with his wife's murder, and seeking revenge. Very well written, filled with great
characters.
characters.
November 1, 2021
A violent attack upends the life of an architect and sets him on a dark journey of revenge. An immersive, well-written tale.
September 12, 2023
What a great book! It was very hard to put down!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews