DOWN RIVER by John Hart

DOWN RIVER

By John Hart

Thomas Dunne Books for St. Martin’s Minotaur

$24.95, hardcover, 325 pages, ISBN 0-312-35931-4 (2007)

This is Hart’s second novel – his first, King of Lies, was a highly acclaimed debut that I enjoyed very much. I’ve been anxiously awaiting this book, hoping that I wouldn’t be disappointed (as I often seem to be) with authors who start out with a bang.

No worries. Simply put: this book is terrific.

On the surface, this novel is about a young man who returns to his native North Carolina farm after spending five years in New York – years where he tried his best to forget his narrow escape from murder charges at home. Adam Chase isn’t back long before other people turn up dead and he becomes a leading suspect. And why not – many believe he was guilty last time.

The more family and town secrets Adam turns up, the more engrossed the reader becomes in this deadly web of family loyalty and betrayal.

This book is much more than just a mystery; it’s filled with the pathos of family life, with a difficult homecoming, and a desperate attempt at reconciliation and acceptance. You will be entertained from start to finish.

This is one of the best books I’ve read all year.

Buy it here.