Close to Where the Heart Gives Out

Synopsis

'Malcolm Alexander is to GPs what James Herriot is to vets' - MATT GAW
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'An ode to island life in all its glorious foibles' - THE HERALD
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'A fascinating, funny and utterly heart-warming family adventure.' - RUTH HOGAN
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An immensely heart-warming story of life on the frontline within extreme circumstances.

When Malcolm Alexander saw the job advert, 'urgent: island doctor needed', he applied immediately. What he didn't anticipate was how much Orkney would affect his family, for better or worse.

In stories that range from the humorous to the deeply moving, Malcolm describes what it's like adjusting to life without modern conveniences and to the extreme - and constantly changing - weather; and what it means to be providing the best medical care to the local population with limited resources. Which often includes the wildlife as well ...

Malcolm's journey evokes the awe that the Orkney landscape can inspire, as well as the challenges of island life and the demons that the dark, cold winter months can give birth to. Gripping and beautifully written, Close to Where the Heart Gives Out reminds us of the importance of listening to our heart, as well as to the rhythms of the landscape.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Body of a Young Boy

* Summary:
* The chapter opens with the discovery of a young boy's drowned body in the Hudson River.
* The narrator, a police detective named Luke Murphy, is assigned to investigate the case.
* Real Example:
* "A young boy, no more than ten years old, lay facedown on the dock at the foot of 86th Street."

Chapter 2: The Missing Child

* Summary:
* Murphy investigates the boy's identity and learns that he is a 9-year-old named Liam O'Connor.
* Liam was reported missing by his father the previous night, but no ransom demands or other leads have been received.
* Real Example:
* "His name was Liam O'Connor, nine years old. He'd been reported missing by his father, Patrick O'Connor, at 10:45 pm the night before."

Chapter 3: The Funeral

* Summary:
* Murphy attends Liam's funeral, where he observes the grief-stricken family and friends.
* He feels a personal connection to the case and resolves to find Liam's killer.
* Real Example:
* "The funeral was held at St. Patrick's Cathedral. The church was packed, standing room only. I could feel the weight of the city's sorrow in the air."

Chapter 4: The Suspects

* Summary:
* Murphy suspects Liam's father, Patrick, as a possible culprit, but his alibi checks out.
* He also investigates Liam's teacher and the boy's classmates.
* Real Example:
* "Patrick O'Connor was my prime suspect. He was the last person to see Liam alive. But his alibi was solid. He'd been at work the night Liam vanished."

Chapter 5: The Breakthrough

* Summary:
* Murphy discovers that Liam had been carrying a small toy dinosaur, which was not found with his body.
* He uses this clue to track down the toy store that sold it and identifies a possible lead.
* Real Example:
* "I checked the sales records for toy dinosaurs sold in the last week. Only one store had sold one that matched the description."

Chapter 6: The Confession

* Summary:
* Murphy confronts the store's manager, a man named Ralph, who confesses to abducting and killing Liam.
* Ralph reveals that he had a history of abuse and took Liam out of desperation.
* Real Example:
* "He started to sob. 'I never meant to hurt him,' he said. 'I just wanted to hold him for a while.'"

Chapter 7: The Closure

* Summary:
* Murphy arrests Ralph and brings Liam's body back to his family.
* He feels a sense of closure and redemption, knowing that justice has been served.
* Real Example:
* "I walked out of the station house that night feeling like a different man. I had never known a case that had affected me so deeply."