Absolute Truth

by Chuck Radda

Brutal murders on successive nights have shocked the small Boston suburb of Drayton. In their aftermath two young women are dead, anguished families will confront a shattering loss, and residents must face the possibility that a serial killer lives among them. 

To Brianna Cooper, a reporter for a local weekly, The Drayton Courier, even such horrific crimes would ordinarily mean little more than an assignment; but because the first victim was a close friend, Brianna assumes a greater personal involvement. Unfortunately, Cooper's reputation as a journalist is spotty at she cuts corners when it suits her, and at least once has embarrassed herself and the Courier with her nonchalant approach and indifferent attitude.

Brianna Cooper believes she can do better, if for no other reason than to honor her friend's memory. She doesn't realize that simply doing that job right will have consequences she could never have anticipated, and that the absolute truth journalists seek can present its own dangers.

Genres: Mystery, Suspense

495 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 10, 2018

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brianna Cooper is a reporter for the Drayton Courier, a weekly paper for the small town of Drayton. There have been two murders of young women in town. Brianna was supposed to meet the first victim for coffee the evening of the murder. The second victim knew the first victim and Brianna knew of the second victim but had not met her. The readers know that both victims recognized their murderer, but that's all. Brianna has significant flaws. Her reporting has been somewhat sloppy and one story she writes is detracted because she didn't get real corroboration. It's a real black mark on her work but the editor, who's dying of lung cancer, doesn't fire her because he likes her and the paper needs her. She has a terrible relationship with her mother and has no friends. Teddy, the sports writer, becomes a friend, nothing more. The brash sister of the second victim comes on strong and convinces Brianna to keep looking into the murders. She has a strange relationship with the homicide detective and it gets even stranger. The more she digs around the case the more she and the reader discover but it doesn't really gel. When she is finally attacked and almost killed and the killer is killed, she's left with the feeling that some things don't really fit well. We're left with the same feeling.

[Angelika Schlotzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another read from an author I haven't read before. Interesting read and the ending is surprising.

[AdultFiction Teton County Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

TCL call number: F Radda C

Cindy's rating: 5 stars
Absolute Truth, this second novel by Chuck Radda, was certainly worth the wait. While this book falls in the murder/mystery category, it is so much more.
The protagonist of the story, Brianna "Bree" Cooper, is a 27 year old reporter for the Drayton Courier. She has spent her entire journalism career covering school board, town council meetings and local color stories from her small hometown of Drayton, Massachusetts. That is until two brutal murders occur there, not only challenging Bree's professional abilities but linking her personally to the victims. She becomes drawn into an increasingly dangerous labyrinth in her quest for the absolute truth.
As compelling as that story is, that's not the best part of this book. It is the colorful cast of secondary characters and the scintillating dialogue which propels the plot, making this fun to read.
The author weaves a true crime tale, but his sensitive portrayal of small town social politics is dead-on. The setting takes place in typical older, left behind New England towns, however, it is free from the blatant small town stereotypes. These are people I knew growing up. They are smart, funny, interesting, and their dialogue alone is worth the read.
Present are multiple plot lines around love, lust and marriage in a small town, the relationships we all have with our families and taking charge of our own lives. Bree is on assignment all the while struggling with the ever widening gap she and her mother have created, navigating life as a single 27 year old female, and finding fulfillment in her work. Past failures and some questionable choices threaten to keep her where she is, but we are rooting for her and her cast of relatable characters.
I was happy for the blustery snowy day outside allowing me the (almost) guilt free pleasure of taking the fit-bit off, sitting on the couch and reading this novel in one day! I'm hesitant to compare, but if you enjoy reading Richard Russo you will like Chuck Radda's work.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy mysteries and this was a pretty good one. The characters were developed in a way that had my favorites changing from chapter to chapter. In addition to the murders, there was an abundance of life turmoil for nearly every character. While interesting and adding depth, it also gave the whole book a depressed feel. The murder wrap-up was good, with a twist. I envisioned something similar coming--Radda filled in the where and how. The added twist was unexpected, but made sense. Individual characters' stories were concluded up in a way that made for a satisfying ending. I would be interested in books that featured Teddy and his budding PI career or Yasmin and her art and boyfriend. There is potential in both.

Thanks for the entertaining reading!

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had wanted to really like this book, but alas. I had a hard time with the main character being a woman, I know I shouldn't had, but it did. I think it was because the writer is a man, and it just didn't sit right with me.
Also, the murderer didn't seem to be correct? I couldn't understand why he'd been driven to kill these women.
I would read a future book of Chuck's though, as this was only his second book.
It was overall enjoyable!