In The Pale Light

In The Pale Light by Westley Smith is an intriguing and ingenious new crime thriller that hooked me from the very opening. With its complex, morally gray, but sympathetic characters and many twists and turns, this book is one of my favorites of the year.

Terry Graham had led an uneasy life, seething with an anger that often landed him in trouble. But the murders of his younger brother and his wife and daughter put him firmly and absolutely in the crosshairs of the residents of his small Pennsylvanian hometown of Hickory Falls. Already a pariah as the driver in the car accident that took the life of the beloved daughter of the local pastor, when the murders go unsolved, the town’s rancor and suspicions only grow. Years pass, and the initial investigators from the state either pass away or retire. When their replacements show up on his doorstep to go back over his alibi for the time of the murders, indicating he’s still the only person of interest, Terry decides to take matters into his own hands to clear his name once and for all before the unknown illness which has been plaguing him for months sounds his death knell. Terry follows the clues he discovers, reconnecting with those from his past: people he thought were his friends. He knows in his heart his time is running out, and he goes straight for the jugular with some of these people. Their meetings are often raw and violent, but Terry doggedly pursues the truth of what happened that night.
Trooper Henry Miller with the Pennsylvania State Police Major Crimes Team was previously a deputy in Hickory Falls and caught the initial call for the Graham family murders, so he feels a responsibility to solve the nine-year-old case. He and his partner, Ross, suspect Terry Graham committed the murders going in but are still open-minded enough to be convinced otherwise if the evidence can be found. As they retrace the steps of the previous investigators, they are unaware that Terry is actually steps ahead of them, asking questions on his own. A divorced father, Miller must also deal with a troublesome situation for his daughter Luna and his ex-wife’s insistence that he take some questionable actions on her behalf.

The plot is solid, exciting, and filled with twists and turns as Terry, Miller, and his partner give old statements another look. As Terry closes in on who he thinks are the killers, someone hiding in the shadows is watching and takes deadly measures to stop him from uncovering the answers he’s seeking.
I recommend IN THE PALE LIGHT to readers of mysteries, thrillers, and crime fiction.

This is a gritty murder mystery where the Rust Belt setting could be its own character. I loved the use of the protagonist, Terry, in that you are never quite certain if he’s the killer himself. The entire novel gave me “Mare of Easttown” vibes. Delicious noir against a darkened Pennsylvania sky. A small town with secrets and a vigilante trying to clear his name. What’s not to love?

Shunned, harassed, hated…

“Will the truth ever come to light?”

Nine years ago Clay, his wife Claire, and their daughter Sidney were found slain in their parked Jetta. The case has not been solved but the townspeople blame Clay’s troublemaker brother Terry for the murders.

Two new PA troopers are assigned to the cold case. Newly discovered evidence will materialize and the chase is on!

This book checks a lot of boxes - thriller, suspense, and crime fiction , including an intense race against time.

This creative plot is razor-sharp! It aims to dazzle the reader by providing a sense of urgency, intensity, and vigor. Terry has an undiagnosed illness which will limit his finishing time. He is not a very likable character but I predict many will be cheering him on in his quest to solve the mystery.

The investigations by both the police AND Terry were thorough in this whodunnit/whydunnit. Lots of possible suspects and motives! This engrossing story was one I was always eager to resume reading. The ending was well-mapped out and I only solved a part of the mystery!

Will the crucial, decisive moment come in time for Terry?

I received this book as a gift.
This author has been moved to my auto buy list, and this is only his second book. I like the way he is able to paint a picture with just words alone, as if the reader is actually there, experiencing what’s happening. That is a talent I appreciate.
In this tale, we meet Terry. I kind of felt sorry for Terry with all that he had gone through, from a terrible crime against his family, his health, a town that just wanted him to leave. Terry, though, has a strong character since he finally decided to put to rest what happened nine years ago. Little did he know the answers he would find or the trouble he would cause when he started asking questions around town.
Meet Miller and Ross, the two state police who were assigned to the cold case involving the Graham family. Miller had his own issues thrown in the mix between his ex-wife and his daughter, making for an interesting read and how he went about dealing with the issues he was faced with. I liked the fact that Miller was forced to take a hard look at his own character.
Ruby-Lee. What can I say about Ruby-Lee? She adds quite a bit of color to these pages.
If you like a tale that has a hidden meaning to its title, some good ol’ fist fights that make you feel like you’re in the fight, some shoot ‘em up scenes … give this one a read; I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
I thought I had this one figured out, but no. I didn’t.
I’m looking forward to this author’s next book.

Terry Graham is running out of time. He’s dying. And he needs answers. Answers to who killed his family and why. He’s consumed with thoughts of vengeance. The town and law enforcement long suspected him of the murders. When State Trooper Henry Miller comes back in town with new evidence on the cold case, Terry struggles to stay a step ahead and exact that vengeance.

Terry wasn’t a likable character. He drank too much. Fought too much. Had a hair-trigger temper. I tried to feel sorry for him. Reminded myself of his circumstances. It was hard, since his character hadn’t changed much since before the tragedy. I think that’s what really made the story work for me. I kept reminding myself of the victims and got behind Terry.

Terry also did a credible job of sniffing out witnesses and information on the murders. He didn’t always approach them in an agreeable manner but he was getting answers. Sifting through the self interest and lies and zeroing in. This kept the suspense ramped up. As Terry got closer to those answers, so did I. And I couldn’t wait to find out how it wrapped up.

A man out for vengeance. Not at all a sympathetic character. Yet, I was on his side. How cool is that!

An unsolved triple homicide has haunted Terry Graham for nine years, forcing him to endure all sorts of persecution by a community convinced he is guilty.

Author Westley Smith serves up a gritty thriller with In the Pale Light. Investigators have found new evidence in the murder of the Clark Graham family after almost a decade.

Terry’s character adds plenty of flavor to the storyline. While he admits to getting drunk that night following an argument with his brother, he has maintained his innocence. Add that to his bad temper, and it’s easy for people to think Terry actually did it.

With the new evidence, Terry is determined to get answers. He has ignored a nagging cough for so long that he’s certain it will eventually kill him, but he wants to find out what really happened to his family.

In the process, secrets are uncovered in unexpected places, revealing a much more sinister plot. The twists and turns are effectively woven into the storyline to keep readers guessing until the end.

In the Pale Light serves up justice as a side dish almost a decade in the making. ~ Amy for Novels Alive

Having absolutely loved Westley Smith’s Some Kind of Truth, I eagerly dove into In The Pale Light, hoping for another gripping, emotionally charged experience. Smith did not disappoint. This novel is a masterclass in suspense, rich with the same intricate storytelling and deep character exploration that made his previous work so unforgettable.

In The Pale Light opens with a horrifying tragedy—the brutal murder of Clay Graham and his family. The story quickly zeros in on Terry, Clay’s troubled brother, who becomes the prime suspect despite his claims of innocence. What makes this book truly compelling is the way Smith expertly weaves together the psychological and the procedural, creating a narrative that is as much about inner turmoil as it is about solving a crime.

Terry’s journey is one of immense pain and desperation. Shunned by the community and burdened by guilt, his character is written with a rawness that makes him both flawed and deeply sympathetic. Smith’s ability to depict Terry’s struggle with his undiagnosed illness, as well as his battle against the town’s secrets and his own haunted past, is nothing short of brilliant. You can’t help but root for him, even as you’re unsure whether he’s innocent or guilty.

The re-opening of the case by Trooper Henry Miller adds another layer of tension, as the clock ticks down on Terry’s life. The small-town setting, with its hidden grudges and buried secrets, creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that only heightens the suspense. Smith’s pacing is impeccable, gradually revealing new clues and twists that keep you guessing until the very end.

What truly sets In The Pale Light apart is its exploration of themes like redemption, guilt, and the search for truth. Just like Some Kind of Truth, this book doesn’t shy away from the complexities of human nature. It challenges you to consider how much of what we believe is influenced by perception rather than reality.

The only "flaw" I can mention is that the intensity of the book left me emotionally drained—but in the best possible way. Smith knows how to craft a narrative that stays with you, long after you’ve closed the book. In The Pale Light is more than just a mystery; it’s a poignant, thought-provoking exploration of the darkness that can lurk within us all.

In conclusion, if you’re a fan of Smith’s Some Kind of Truth, you’ll find In The Pale Light to be equally, if not more, captivating. It’s a haunting, beautifully written novel that cements Westley Smith as a master of the psychological thriller genre. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a story that’s as emotionally resonant as it is suspenseful.