Crossing The Chalk Line
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By Steven H. Richardson.
 Otter Creek Press, paper, $12.95. 

Come along while a cop with 25 years under his belt spins a thriller. 
The author wore the badge as deputy sheriff in north Florida and he unravels 
his quarter century of experience, lingo and insight in this murder mystery. 
What makes this story stick is a thread of fear that his characters will be 
too effective in the response department. "Both believed that any act or deed 
by (cops) to suppress and prevent criminal activity was justified. There were 
no unacceptable acts." The premise is understandable, given the moxie of 
today's criminal mind and a justice system these guys perceive as Swiss 
cheese. That's why stories appear about throw-down guns, instant evidence and 
lie-witnesses. Richardson develops a pair of likeable partners in this 
page-turner. Both in their '20's, excellent condition, dedicated to the 
cause. Sidney had college, money and family pedigree. Mark was ex-Marine, 
more primal, a good street cop with "a strong sense of justice." Then there's 
Sergeant S.A.M. Washington, the first man of color to achieve that rank in 
the panhandle town. He, too, was ex-Corps. Richardson weaves-in lady loves, 
cop shop talk and backwoods mysterious misdeeds. Readers learn to fill their 
noses with Vicks before entering a homicide scene thick with blowflies, to 
cover tire tracks and footprints with garbage lids as protection from the 
rain. And they watch cops avenge murders when technicalities set a killer 
free. Where do you draw the line? And what if you cross it?
---The Book Reader Spring/Summer 2000


In his novel CROSSING THE CHALK LINE (Otter Creek Press $12.95, 258
pages), Steven H. Richardson examines the question, "How close to breaking
the law will cops go to bring in a murderer?" A copy killer is released by a prosecutor who is unable to place the suspect at the crime scene. Deputy Mark Jacobs is frustrated because he knows that the suspect committed a crime.
 A second victim is found a short time later who is traced to the same suspicious person.This time Jacobs finds a shady way to make the case stick to the same perp so he does not get off a second time.

Richardson, a retired sheriff's officer in Jacksonville, Florida, utilizes his experience as an officer to tell a story that captures the way law enforcement professionals feel when one of their own is killed and the criminal justice system drops the ball.
--Gary Roen - Detective Cases, August 2000