Summary
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens is a gripping murder mystery and a coming-of-age story. Set in Minnesota, the novel focuses on Joe Talbert, a college student who is assigned to write a biography. For his subject, he chooses Carl Iverson, a Vietnam War veteran paroled after years in prison for a murder conviction. As Joe investigates Carl's past, he begins to grapple with doubts about justice, guilt, and redemption.
Plot
In The Life We Bury, college student Joe Talbert embarks on a biography project that delves into a decades-old murder case. Joe meets Carl Iverson, a Vietnam War veteran imprisoned for the rape and murder of 14-year-old Crystal Marie Hagan, at a nursing home. Carl, who is terminally ill with cancer, maintains his innocence, prompting Joe's investigation.
Through discussions with Carl, Joe learns about Carl's moral actions during the Vietnam War, marking a stark contrast with the crime of which he was convicted. This contradiction raises doubts about Carl's guilt. Joe's neighbor Lila Nash and his autistic brother, Jeremy, assist him in analyzing coded diary entries, crime scene photos, and DNA evidence, which suggests Carl's innocence. They collaborate with Detective Max Rupert and seek support from legal groups like the Innocence Project.
Their investigation uncovers evidence and a likely suspect that might overturn Carl’s conviction. Is it too late?
Characters
Joe Talbert: A 21-year-old student at the University of Minnesota, Joe is assigned a biography project that leads him to question a murder conviction and launch his own investigation. He manages family duties, particularly caring for his autistic brother, Jeremy, while seeking to uncover the truth about Carl Iverson.
Carl Iverson: A Vietnam veteran residing at Hillview Manor, Carl served a prison sentence for murdering a 14-year-old girl yet maintains his innocence. His interactions with Joe center on themes of justice and redemption.
Lila Nash: Joe's college neighbor, Lila becomes a key ally in investigating Carl's conviction. Her involvement not only aids Joe but also provides insights into her own challenging past.
Max Rupert: A private investigator, Max aids Joe’s pursuit of justice with his strategic thinking and flexibility in methods, significantly advancing the investigation into Carl's case.
Boady Sanden: A defense attorney and former police officer, Boady is committed to Carl's case. His efforts to challenge the evidence against Carl underscore his strategic legal skills and belief in justice.
Jeremy Talbert: Joe’s autistic brother, Jeremy plays a pivotal role in the narrative. His well-being highlights Joe's family responsibilities and personal stakes in the investigation.
Kathy Nelson: Joe's estranged, alcoholic mother. Kathy’s former neglect and ongoing instability impact Joe in complicated ways.
Danielle Hagen: The mother of the young murder victim, whose pursuit of justice presents a challenge for Joe. Her determination complicates Joe’s investigation as he discovers evidence that may change Carl’s conviction.
Themes
Justice and redemption
Justice stands as a central theme. Joe Talbert investigates Carl Iverson's conviction, discovering inconsistencies that question its validity. Joe's search for truth is a dual mission for Carl's justice and his own redemption. His efforts challenge the justice system's integrity and depict redemption as a personal and societal pursuit for fairness and truth.
Guilt and innocence
The Life We Bury contrasts guilt and innocence. Joe grapples with his family responsibilities while questioning Carl's guilt. Carl reflects on his wartime actions versus the crime's accusations, prompting reconsideration of moral boundaries between duty and criminality. This perspective encourages a deeper understanding of justice.
Family dynamics
Family dynamics influence Joe's decisions, as he balances caring for his autistic brother and navigating his mother's addictions. These obligations reflect common emotional struggles and intersect with Carl’s story. The novel underscores how personal responsibilities affect perceptions of justice, highlighting connections between individual and societal issues. Beyond a murder mystery, The Life We Bury explores the complexities of human existence.
Awards and recognitions
Allen Eskens's debut novel, The Life We Bury received the Rosebud Award for Best First Mystery Novel. It also won the Barry Award for Best Paperback Original Novel and the Silver Falchion Award for Best First Novel. In addition, the novel was a finalist for several awards, including the Edgar Award for Best First Novel, the Anthony Award for Best First Novel, the Thriller Award for Best First Novel, and the Minnesota Book Award for Best Genre Fiction. MysteryPeople celebrated it as one of the Best Debut Novels of 2014, while Suspense Magazine featured it in its Best Books of 2014 list.
Quick facts
The Life We Bury is Allen Eskens's debut novel, published in 2014.
The novel combines a coming-of-age story with a gripping investigation into a decades-old murder.
Highly acclaimed by critics, The Life We Bury won several awards, including the Rosebud Award for Best First Mystery Novel.
The story was inspired by an actual assignment Eskens had in college, involving interviewing a convicted murderer.
The novel’s rich geographical setting of Minneapolis, Minnesota, adds atmospheric depth to the narrative.
The protagonist, Joe Talbert, is a university student whose college assignment leads him to investigate a decades-old murder.
Carl Iverson, a Vietnam War veteran convicted of murder, is released early from prison due to terminal pancreatic cancer.
The Life We Bury explores profound themes of guilt, redemption, family loyalty, justice, and personal history.
Joe Talbert balances the challenges of college life, family issues, including an alcoholic mother and an autistic brother, with the murder investigation.
The Life We Bury examines the complexities of the American criminal justice system, drawing on Eskens's experience as a lawyer.
The audiobook version features a compelling narration by Zach Villa.
Starting with The Life We Bury, Allen Eskens has written six novels featuring the character of Detective Max Rupert.
About the author
Allen Eskens is an award-winning and bestselling author of novels exploring justice, truth, guilt, and redemption. He made his publishing debut in 2014 with The Life We Bury, following a college student’s investigation into a decades-old murder. It introduced the character of Detective Max Rupert, who has appeared in all six of his novels, most recently The Shadows We Hide (2018). Eskens grew up in Missouri, studied journalism at the University of Minnesota, and later earned a law degree from Hamline University. His background in law, including work as a criminal defense attorney, informs the legal details in his novels. He has received many awards for his works, including the Rosebud Award, Barry Award, Silver Falchion Award, and Minnesota Book Award.
