Down River
by John Hart
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Book Reviews of Down River
Book Review: Can you go home again?
Summary: 4 Stars
Another North Carolinian, Thomas Wolfe, famously said that you can't go home again. Reluctantly returning to his home town 5 years after leaving in disgrace, Adam Chase tests that proposition, and finds it - nearly - impossible. In the tradition of southern writer, author John Hart places a family under the microscope to reveal darkness and dangerous secrets, viciousness and violence, and a hidden yet pervasive web of vengeance, jealousy, and greed.
Adam is a brooding sort of anti-hero, his natural impetuosity fueled by the rage that has simmered since his mother's suicide. Other characters run the gamut from fragile southern belle to big daddy to high stakes gambler to small town cop. Those who inhabit this novel are much more than types, however, with fully developed personalities and individual faults and virtues. Loyalty is the theme underlying this tale, and nearly everyone must come to terms with issues of truth and trust along the way. Some lives are literally destroyed, while others will be capable of redemption. Down River is a skillfully written mystery filled with tension and suspense, providing a highly satisfying reading experience.
Book Review: "Things change, boy. They grow small and they die. Even in Rowan County."
Summary: 5 Stars
This novel main attribute is that it's gripping. It has been a while since a book grabbed by attention from the first few pages and I could not stop reading until its conclusion. Some of the reasons have to do with the relentless pace that Hart gives the story, and the abundance of twists and turns surrounding the mystery of who is responsible for the murders. but that is far from all, because the personal relations among the family members of Adam Chase's family, and the relevance of past deeds are a huge factor in the interest level of this book.
This is the perfect blend of the great family sagas, in the style of Jeffrey Archer, and the best the mystery / thriller genre has to offer. I did figure out who the culprit is about halfway through the book, but I think it had to do more with luck than with real knowledge. And even figuring it out early did not detract an iota from the enjoyment I got from this work.
It is too bad that this author only has two other books out. I am going to go read those right away, and then wait eagerly for more!
Book Review: Predictable but compelling
Summary: 4 Stars
I decided to read Down River because I had just read The Last Child and loved it. After reading Down River, I cannot wait to go back and read The King of Lies; Hart is that good of an author.
Adam Chase has returned to Rowan County after being away for 5 years. For most people, that isn't a long time, but for Chase, things are different. 5 years ago he was acquitted of murdering another resident, and his stepmother had given testified against him. Chase returns this time because an old friend has called him for help, but as soon as Adam returns, strange things start happening. Someone close to him has been severely beaten, and other residents are missing. Many think that Adam has something to do with disappearances.
Just the sheer fact that people are disappearing makes the ending somewhat predictable. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it though-Hart's novels are not about the ending, but the journey, the close examination of family relationships and consequences.
Book Review: Dull Dark Soap Opera
Summary: 2 Stars
I promised myself I wouldn't start another book until I finished this bomb. It still took me weeks to fight through it. The main character is the son of the county's richest citizen who leaves town after his stepmom accuses him of murdering someone. The book has a huge cast of characters and all of them are identical emotional basket cases. They include the main character's dad, stepmom, dad's faithful retainer, the retainer's ward, his old buddy from the wrong side of the tracks, his twin step brother and sister, the stepsister's cop boyfriedn and the main character's old girlfriend etc etc and one is duller than the next. The old girlfriend hasn't seen him in five years since our hero ran off to NYC after his acquittal. She is now a detective for the hick hometown and sleeps with him his first night back. Guess things are really, really slow down river. Anyway this leaden book drags on until the reader yearns for something interesting by comparison; like a Pauly Shor movie.Book Review: A compelling new author's Second novel
Summary: 5 Stars
surpasses his first and receives the Edgar Award! Hart's second attempt is smoother, more polished. It was truly mind boggling to jump into the fray and be enbroiled in the intrigue and suspence.
Although narrowly escaping conviction in a murder case five years before, Adam Chase returns to his family and his home town.
No one knows why; but what many do know is that they still consider him quilty and show it in many ways.
The river is unstopable as it winds it way through the deceit and violence that has mired this South Carolina town for much too long. I appreciated the way Hart takes us with him along the highways and byways. His style and prose match other authors who have been in the fore front for a long long time.
A super very fast-paced, intelligent, absorbing thriller.
Time to take a few deep breaths and go on to Hart's most recent...The Last Child.