Down River
by John Hart
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Book Reviews of Down River
Book Review: Thrilling! Gripping! Spellbinding!
Summary: 5 Stars
I enjoyed John Hart's Down River so much that the first thing I did after reading the last page was order his other two books, "The King of Lies" and "The Last Child."
I read this book at two sittings only because I started it so late on the first night. From the beginning Hart grabs you and does not let go until the masterpiece concludes.
Recently discovering the works of Brian Freeman and Joseph Finder, I did not expect to read another exciting author of their caliber so quickly; however, he may be the most skilled of the three.
The story begins in Rowan County North Carolina with the main character Adam Chase. As a child, Adam watched his mother commit suicide and was dealt a double blow as a young man when his father stood by his step-mother who testified against Adam at his murder trial. Although he was found not guilty, he lost all faith in his town, family, lover and friends and abandoned them all for five years, sulking in New York until he received a call from long time best friend Danny Faith. Although Adam initially refused Danny's request to come home, Adam was drawn back to Rowan County and immediately entangled in controversy and strife.
The author skillfully develops the scenes, characters, relationships and unravels this gut-wrenching murder mystery thriller. His word pictures were vivid and believable. Although a fiction, this story has the feel of real events, people and circumstance. It was absolutely riveting. I can hardly wait to read more of his books.
Book Review: A little restraint, please (2.5 stars)
Summary: 3 Stars
The NY Times reviewer of this book called Hart's writing 'furiously overwrought'... and she's right. I enjoyed his relatively more restrained debut, King of Lies (2006), much more than this overdone pot-boiler. I understand that Hart is writing within a genre that is not known for its restraint, but still... Much of his prose is simply too purple for its own good, and actually detracts from the pacing and complexity of the plot (and multiple sub-plots). I guess the biggest problem I had with this book is that the primary protagonist (Adam Chase) is really not all that likeable, and comes across as basically an egotistical and hot-headed brat -- perhaps that's the point, that even a highly flawed character deserves to find some measure of justice and grace in his life. But by two-thirds through the book -- at which point the careful reader can basically figure out at least two of the three or four 'whodunit?'s contained in the overall story arc -- it had just gotten tedious. How many tense, emotional conversations (rehashing the same points about the legacy of past choices, family dysfunction and mistrust, etc.) do we need to establish that yes: this is really one messed up family, and yes, this is really one messed up little southern community?
So... the ending comes not as the kind of catharsis that I think Hart was shooting for; rather, it's the catharsis that accompanies "thank God it's finally over!".
Book Review: Well deserving of the 2008 Edgar
Summary: 4 Stars
In "Down River" by John Hart, Adam Case returns home to Rowan County, North Carolina where he had been tried and found not guilty of murder five years before. A source on animosity is that his step-mother was the lead prosecution witness against him and Adam's father took his wife's side.
Adam meets his former girlfriend, Robin Alexander, who is now a detective on the local police department and she tells him that she still cares for him and wishes that he had written.
No sooner has Case arrived in town then he is beaten by Zeb Faith and two others. They want to deliver a message, they don't like Adam and want him to tell his father to sell his farm. Adam learns that that the farm is part of a land package that developers want and if sold, neighboring land will become very valuable.
This is much more than a mystery novel. The writing is literate and I feel that Hart may be influenced by fellow North Carolian, Charles Frazier, author of "Cold Mountain." There are similiar characteristics between Inman of "Cold Mountain" and Case. Both are men of integrity and both must overcome great odds when everything seems against them. In addition, Inman's love, Ada and Case's sister, Miriam, both have great sadness with the men they love. It is how they deal with the sadness and misfortune that make the books different.
Well written and highly recommended.
Book Review: WRONGFULLY ACCUSED Unabridged Audio 10cds
Summary: 4 Stars
Adam Chase was arrested for murder five years previously principally due to his stepmother's testimony. The relationship with his father is incredibly strained because his father had to choose between believing his wife (Adam's stepmother) or Adam. Adam was released due to the jury's inability to find a motive. However, the small town, his Father, step-mother and many others turned on him and still believed that he was the killer. After five years of being away from his home town due to the locals suspicions, he returns to help a friend, with a hope of finding his family, forgiveness and his relationship with his ex girlfriend. Upon his return, he quickly gets entangled in a series of murders and he's again under suspicion.
Although Adam protests his innocence, he doesn't tell the readers everything either. In fact, he turns out to be less likeable and more violence-prone than I thought after I started this story. I understood why he did what he did, he can't help but keep meeting trouble head-on. I felt like grabbing him and shaking him!!!!
This book while a little slow at the start was an enjoyable page-turning romp.
Author John Hart places a family under the microscope to reveal darkness and dangerous secrets, viciousness and violence, and a hidden web of greed, jealousy, and vengeance.
Book Review: Just an ok read
Summary: 2 Stars
I read this particular novel back in late June. After finishing the book I honestly must say that I was left a little disappointed. There were just dialogue in the book that was way too repetitive. For example, Adam Chase must of asked "What do you mean?" At least 60 different times throughout the book. It was to the point where I was wishing I could jump into the story and strangle him myself. Also, his love interest Robin (I believe her name is) was annoying to me as well. Her emotions were all over the place and she was so back and forth about who's side she was taken until practically the middle of the story. Last but not least, I was INCREDIBLY diappointed by the end when we find out who killed the family friend in the beginning and who killed Adam's friend Danny. Although it was suppose to be a sudden twist(something we didn't see coming) I was disappointed with where the twist led to. Poor choice of killer. If I had paid a lot of money for this book, I probably would have been pretty upset. But since I only paid $10, I'm not too upset. I say skip this book. I was debating on whether reading The Lost Child or not. After reading this, I'll pass.