First Chapter ~ First Paragraph #114

It's Tuesday . . . time for . . .

                                                      

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea, where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon.

Today I'm featuring the opening from a book I'm reading, which I borrowed from the library . . .

 

Goodreads Page 

PART ONE

New Year's Eve

CHAPTER 1

Halfway up the steps the judge stopped to grab the handrail.  It was a silver metal handrail, stainless steel and so cold that if there had been any moisture on his skin it would have bound him immediately.  But he had no moisture, not on his skin or even in his mouth.  He felt dry, but not merely the midwinter dry from low humidity and blasting steam pipes.  He felt desiccated, as if he could collapse into dust and blow away.

He took a deep breath, worked his free hand under his topcoat and between the two flaps of his scarf.  His heart gave one more of those crazy thumps, then steadied.  He slid his other hand up the rail, gripped tight, and pulled himself up and out of the subway. station.

What do you think?  Would you continue reading?

The opening has me curious about the judge--is he just feeling the effects of a long and stressful day, or is something more serious going on?

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph #114 was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  This post cannot be republished without attribution. Retweeting and sharing on Google+ encouraged.