This further convinces Joe that Carl can’t be a rapist. Carl tells Joe a story of how he refused to rape a young Vietnamese girl when commanded to by his senior officer, Sergeant Gibbs-refusing even when Gibbs held a gun to his head. A war buddy of Carl’s, Virgil Gray, describes how Carl saved his life. Joe already has doubts regarding Carl’s guilt when he learns about Carl's past in the Vietnam War. Joe has long been attracted to Lila and uses her curiosity about Carl’s case to interact with her. Joe receives help from his neighbor and fellow college student, Lila Nash. Over a period of months, Joe interviews Carl and independently investigates the details of his case. Nonetheless, most of the nursing staff and fellow residents hate him. He has maintained his innocence throughout his conviction.

Because Carl is dying from pancreatic cancer and estimated to have only a few more months to live, he’s been paroled through the compassionate release program. Carl was arrested the next day and has spent the last 30 years in jail. On October 29, 1980, Crystal's burned body was found in the shed in Carl’s backyard. Crystal lived next door to Carl with her mother, Danielle Hagen, and her stepfather, Douglas Lockwood, and stepbrother, Daniel Lockwood. He meets Carl Iverson, a Vietnam Vet who was convicted of raping and killing a 14-year-old girl named Crystal. Having no living grandparents of his own, he visits the Hillview Manor nursing home in search of an interview subject. Joe has been tasked with writing another person’s biography for his college English class. This study guide refers to the Seventh Street Books Edition published in 2014.

The book was published in 2014 and was a finalist in the “Best First Novel” category of the 2015 Edgar Awards. Eskens practiced law for many years, and his firsthand knowledge of the legal system informs his portrayal of the criminal justice system in The Life We Bury.

Carl iverson the life we bury