After Dial D for Deadman, I reluctantly left the world of Dan Deadman and returned to Earth. I landed in Siglufjörðurhe a quiet fishing village in Northern Iceland. Here I met Ari Thor Arason In Ragnar Jonasson’s Nightblind.

Nightblind – Rgnar Jonasson

Siglufjörðurhe is an isolated village only accessible via a small mountain tunnel. The small close-knit town is one where no one locks their doors. In Nightblind their world is rocked when a policeman is killed at a quiet house with a disturbing past.

The murdered officer was Ari Thór’s partner. Thor would have been on-duty the night of the murder but he had called out sick. Thor and the town’s former police chief are tasked with the job of unraveling the mystery. It’s complex mystery involving the compromised new mayor. Along the way the reader is also given glimpses of a psychiatric ward in Reykjavik where a patient writes about his confinement and the reason for it!

All in all, it was a good visit. I enjoyed both the plot and the characters. Nightblind is the second book in Jonasson’s  Dark Iceland series.and you can bet I’ll be visiting Iceland again. First, to find out what happened prior to Nightblind in Snowblind and then after in Blackout! I can’t wait.

Noumenon – Marina J. Losteller

Following Nightblind,  I traveled back to space with Marina J Lostetter’s Noumenon.  More precisely I traveled wit a convoy to the anomalous star LQ Pyxidis and back. A book Kirkus reviews calls “A striking adventure story that could hold a galaxy in its scope’

Noumenon chronicles humanity’s first adventures beyond the solar system,  The story is chronicles the aforementioned mission to visit LQ Pyxidis. The mission was the brainchild of Astrophysicist Reggie Straifer. Starifer thousands of others join a convoy of nine ships on a mission to reveal the origins of this anomalous star.

Since the mission would take centuries, it was decided that the travelers would not be frozen. Rather the mission would be composed of clones of Earth’s best scientists.

The story is told through a series of vignettes each featuring a different set of lead characters at various points along the journey. The only consistent character, and maybe the most interesting, is the ship’s A1 or ICC, short for Inter Convoy Computing.

I didn’t like these vignettes t first. It seemed, I would just be getting to know and like a character and boom they were gone! However, as the book progressed and I became aware of the length of the journey I saw the need for different characters.

The bottom line is that I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I am looking forward to reading the next book Noumenon Infinity. Here is a great review of Noumenon from  BarnesandNoble.com.

Finally, I have caught you up on the six books that I read in  November. In addition, I’ve told you about all the great places I have visited without leaving the comfort of my home!

Next up my first two December reads!!

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So as I finished Still Waters book number 61 for 2018, I  thought of a way to recap my November reads. The setting for Still Waters is the Swedish island of Sandhamn. Which made me thinks of all the other places I visited in November via the books I read. So here are the first three books I read…….

Kate Wilhelm  – No Defense

Kate Whilhelm’s No Defense (54) was the first book I read in November.The book is the fifth book in  Wilhelelm’s Barbara Holloway a lawyer working out of Eugene, Oregon. Most of the action in No Defense takes place in the high desert region of southeastern Oregon. In the book Barbara must defend a woman accused of killing her husband and making it look like an accident. Of course the woman has “no defense”. The characters were good and the story interesting with a twisting ending!

 Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke – Girl’s Night Out

After visiting Oregon, I traveled 3,700 miles in a southeasterly direction and visited Tulum in the Yucatán Penisula if Mexico. Book 55 was Girls Night Out  by the writing duo of    And Liz Fenton. In Girls Night Out  three long-time friends Ashley, Lauren, and Natalie who have been estranged for the last year are going on vacation to hopefully set aside hurt differences and become friends again. But when  Natalie wakes up alone on the beach after a night out and Ashley is missing their lives are turned upside down.

Flashbacks tell the story from the perspective of each of the main characters.I didn’t like this over the first few chapters, However, as the story progressed I thought it was a great way to present the tale. The chapters deal not it only  with Ashley’s disappearance but also the  issues that have driven them apart. This is not a book that I would typically read but I found it interesting and enjoyed it.

Karin Slaughter – Pieces of Her

After Tulum, Mexico I headed  to Belle Isle, Georgia where in the seashore town I met Laura and her daughter Andrea in Karin Slaughter ‘s Pieces of Her. (Book 56). In this book Slaughter explores the possibility your mother may not be who you think she is!  When put in a life and death situation Andrea’s mother responds in ways Andrea could never imagine her professorial mother responding. Soon Andrea’s mother tells her that her life is in danger and she needs to run away to Idaho! As she runs, Andrea discovers more pieces of her mother’s life. Slaughter also enlightens the reader about pieces of  Laura’s life via alternating chapter. They revealing both the past and the present. Once again a five star read from Karin Slaughter!!

Barry J Hutchinson – Dial D for Deadman 

The next book took me to Outer Space and the world of Dan Deadman inn Barry J. Hutchinson’s Dial D for Deadman. Dan Deadman who has actual been dead for a while, first meets a strange girl . Dan and his leprechaun friend Artur are then tasked with finding a missing girl. Funny, fun book and Deadman and his friends are great characters! I am ready for the next book in this series.!

I came back to Earth for my next read and landed in Iceland……….. find out where in part two!!

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 An Attempt at Catching Up!

Caught Up- Needed Reviews and New Mini-Reading Challenges

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Table of Contents

Originally posted June 2018 Revised Updated April 2026

A Goodreads friend always opens her reviews with the first sentence of the book being reviewed. I thought of her, when I started Michael Koryta’s latest book.

First Sentence: I’d never seen him before the day we killed him.

The Story

That statement comes from the confession of. Kimberly Crepeaux to the double murder of Jackie Pelletier and Ian Kelly in the Maine town of Port Hope. Kimberly gave her confession to FBI special agent Rob Barrett. Barrett had been assigned the case because of his interview skills. Additionally, he has past connections to Post Hope. Barrett spent his summers with his grandfather in the town and his former girlfriend reporter Liz Smith lives nearby.

In her confession Kimberly told Barrett how the murders happened. According to Kimberly, the  murders happened on a night when she was cruising with Cass Odom and Mathias Burke. The trio is drunk and high when they kill Jackie accidentally. They then murdered Ian, the only witness to the crime. 

Because Burke was hard-working owner of a lawn and house care service and Kimberly a druggie, no one in town except Barrett, believed Kimberly’s story.  All Barrett needs to close the case are the bodies.

At this point I don’t want to give away more of the plot but two questions arise.

First, Will finding the bodies confirm Kimberly’s story?  

Secondly, Will not finding the bodies destroy Barrett’s career? All BECAUSE he still believes her story?

Bottom Line:  

I have read many of Koryta’s books both his stand alone novels like The Program and Those Who Wish Me Dead. along with several of his Lincoln Perry series books. And they are all good reads.

However, I think I like this one the most. I just loved the way the story flowed. When I first started the book which begins with Kimberly’s confession, I thought where does he go from here. Well, from there he spun a wonderful tale. A tale that proved you may think you have it all figured out,but in reality you don’t know jack!!

The bottom line Is that Michael Koryta’s books keep getting better and better. And  in my opinion How It Happened may be his best work yet! Additionally, I think he may have created in Rob Barrett and Liz Smith characters that we may see again. At least I hope so. Actually, I hope we will see Lincoln Perry and Mark Novak (Rise the Dark and Last words) again!

Here’s what author Nelson DeMille writes about How It Happened.…

“Michael Koryta is one hell of a writer, and HOW IT HAPPENED is one hell of a murder mystery. It’s a tribute to Koryta’s craftsmanship and skill that the reader…can’t put the book down until the last layer of the onion is peeled away to reveal the truth at the core of this gripping tale…. A remarkable achievement that rises high above the genre.”

Links

Author’s Website
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon

 

About Michael Koryta

Michael Koryta is a New York Times-bestselling author whose work has been translated into more than 20 languages and has won or been nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Edgar® Award, Shamus Award, Barry Award, Quill Award, International Thriller Writers Award, and the Golden Dagger. They’ve been selected as “best books of the year” by numerous publications.

 

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So my last post was written and posted on May 26th. Since then I have started to write several posts. Then I get distracted, do something else and they never get posted! Maybe I can catch up by writing two posts. The first will be about the books I read in May and the second about my May runs.

I read five book in May. That brought the total number of books that I have read in 2018 to 26. My 2018 Reading Challenge goal is 65 books so I’m on pace to reach my goal.

The Disappeared – C.J. Box

Hellbent – Gregg Hurwitz

The Ninth Grave – Stefan Ahnhem

The Hush – John Hart

Overall the book is a little different from Hart’s previous books. Hush Arbor is a mysterious place and strange things happen to those who venture into this swampy area. So to get the full impact of the book the reader may need to be one who believes in the supernatural!

However, the end result is that The Hush is another terrific book by an ultra-talented new writer! One of my favorites.

Future Home of the Living God – Louise Erdrich

The final book I read in May was Louise Erdrich’s Future Home of the Living God. This book is not a book I would typically read., but I have read goods things about Erdman’s writing, so I thought I would give it a shot. What I didn’t know was the book was not a typical Erdrich book. None the less, Future Home of the Living God was fun to read.

The world as we know it is ending. Evolution has reversed itself, affecting every living creature on earth. Science cannot stop the world from running backwards, as woman after woman gives birth to infants that appear to be primitive species of humans. Twenty-six-year-old Cedar Hawk Songmaker, adopted daughter of a pair of big-hearted, open-minded Minneapolis liberals, is as disturbed and uncertain as the rest of America around her. But for Cedar, this change is profound and deeply personal. She is four months pregnant. Read More

So while I am now caught up on the books that I read in May, I am still behind on all of the books I have read. That’s because I finished book number 27 yesterday. Michael Koryta’s latest How It Happened was that book and it was good!

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Carter Blake finds people who don’t want anyone to find them. For the last six years he  has  been one of those people. The reason why, revolves around Blake’s last days in the secret organization  known as Winterlong. During those last days an American Senator was assassinated and Blake became the prime suspect. In those final days the  Blake contacted his girlfriend Carol Langford and told her that for her safety she needed to go into hiding, too. When she finally decided on that course of action, she sent Blake a four-word note – “ Don’t Look for Me” and for six years he hasn’t!

That ends though when a young husband and wife abruptly leaves their Las Vegas home. Their neighbor who had befriended the wife worries that the wife is in danger. After searching their house,she finds a journal left behind by the wife. She discovers an email address to be contacted in case of an emergency in the journal. The email belongs to Carter Blake!

Soon Blake is off to Las Vegas to find and rescue Carol. However, Blake is not the only on looking for Carol. Trenton Gage is a hitman.  Like Blake, Gage  is very good at finding  people who don’t want to be found. Gage is also on Carol’s trail. The ultimate question is – Who will find her first?? The secondary question is – “Will Blake like what he finds?”

Bottom line

Don’t Look for Me, like the books before it in this wonderful series, was a page turner for me. There were lots of twists and turn throughout the books. They kept the final outcome in doubt to the final pages of the book.

I enjoy a series where the plots are not just the main character chasing a new criminal, or solving a new case, but are based on something that occurred in a previous book. In this case the story revolves around Carol’s going off the grid, which happened six years ago.

The best example of the above are the best of C.J . Box where have their roots in previous books.

Another thing I like is the character development of characters over time. Mason Cross certainly develops Carter Blake in Don’t Look for Me. Cross writes this in a Note to Readers at the beginning of the book

… in the past, Blake has been a coldly efficient professional, doing what he does and no getting invested in his targets, in this book he’s emotionally involved, big time. The myster in Don’t Look for Me isn’t a whodunnit. It’s the characters themselves – Blake learns more than he bargained for about his former love , Carol and even about himself. I had a lot of fun taking Blake out of his comfort zone and putting him in situations he’s ill-equipped to handle.

And that’s just the way I like it!!! Keep’em coming Mr. Cross!!!

EKK Rating 4/5. Goodreads Rating: 4.04/5

Links for the Further Exploration of the Books of Mason Cross

Author’s Website
Goodreads
Twitter
Facebook
Amazon

Book 15 of 2018

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The Six Books on My March – April “To Be Read” Pile

So my last post was Part 1 of  2 concerning my library “to be read” pile. Post 2 was to deal with the order I was going to read the eight books that I now  have out of the library. At the time I was already reading two books from the pile, Cutting Edge by Ward Larsen and Dark Sky from mike Brooks.

My plan was to read five or more books at a time and to list them according to the date I checked them out of the library. But like they say, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry“. So over the last several days I have spent most of my reading time with Ward Larsen’s Cutting Edge. As a result, I finished that book.  I will provide my thoughts on Cutting Edge soon  but the meantime, I want to get back to the books on my library TBR pile.  The last six books on my March-April “to be read” pile will be tackled as follows…

Don’t Look for Me – Mason Cross

Don’t Look for Me is the fourth book in the Carter Blake series from Mason Cross. I didn’t discover Mason Cross’ Carter Blake series until last year. But when I found the series, I read all three of the books and have been eagerly awaiting book #4. From Goodreads:

Don’t look for me.
It was a simple instruction. And for six years Carter Blake has kept his word. He hasn’t looked for the woman he once loved and lost. But now her life is in danger and Blake is forced to break that promise.
Trenton Gage is a hitman with a talent for finding people – dead or alive. His latest job is to track down a woman who’s on the run, harbouring a secret many would kill for.
It turns out Blake and Gage are after the same person – but who will get to her first? Read More

Sounds good to me! I will be starting it tomorrow!!

Robicheaux – James Lee Burke

So I have been reading James Lee Burke’s Dave Robicheaux series for just a wee bit longer than Mason Cross’ books. Robicheaux is the 21st book in the series and I think I the first book I read in the series was Black Cherry Blues (#3). I read it 1989, which was the year it came out and I have read almost every book since then. So Wow! I have been reading the books for almost 30 years!!  

Burke thought 2103’s Light of the World was going to be the last Robicheaux book in the Robicheaux series. Between then and now Burke penned a trilogy featuring the Holland family composed of: Wayfaring Stranger, House of the Rising Son,  and The Jealous Kind. Burke sees these three books as the best of his career. But people were always asking him. “When are Dave and Clete coming back?” So he broke down and wrote Robicheaux and he is working on a sequel Ball and Chain 

The Chalk Man – C.J. Tudor

I have seen this book listed in several places as one of the top mystery/thriller books to read this winter. It surprised me when I saw thar The Chalk Man  only had a 3.8 rating at goodreads.com .  From Goodreads…..

You can feel it in the woods, in the school and in the playground; you can feel it in the houses and at the fairground. You can feel it in most places in the small town of Anderbury . . . the fear that something or someone is watching you.

It began back in 1986, at the fair, on the day of the accident. That was when twelve-year-old Eddie met Mr Halloran – the Chalk Man.

Anyway I’ll choose to believe what Sarah Pinborough writes about The Chalk Man

“What a great book. A twisty thriller and downright crreepy ending. 5 stars”

Building the Great Society: Inside Lyndon Johnson’s White House – Joshua Zeitz

Ah, if we can’t see government working for the betterment of the people, I can at least read about it. Read about a time when government actually worked at all!! From Goodreads….

The author of Lincoln’s Boys takes us inside Lyndon Johnson’s White House to show how the legendary Great Society programs were actually put into practice: Team of Rivals for LBJ. The personalities behind every burst of 1960s liberal reform – from civil rights and immigration reform, to Medicare and Head Start – and what we’ll lose if those programs are dismantled.

This book has a 4.25 rating on Goodreads. Watch I’ll like this one less than The Chalk Man. Nah, I don’t think so!

I’ll Keep You Safe – Peter May

This is actually the book that I want to move to the top of the pile. However, maybe leaving it where it is will give me incentive to read the ones above it!! Over the last several years Peter May has become one of my favorite authors. While I have enjoyed several of his stand alone books, I really, really like The Lewis Trilogy! The setting for the Lewis Trilogy is the Outer Hebrides Islands off the northwest coast of Scotland. May returns to those islands in I’ll Keep You Safe. Can;t wait!! From Goodreads…….

Niamh and Ruairidh Macfarlane co-own the Hebridean company Ranish Tweed. On a business trip to Paris to promote their luxury brand, Niamh learns of Ruairidh’s affair, and then looks on as he and his lover are killed by a car bomb. She returns home to Lewis, bereft.

Niamh begins to look back on her life with Ruairidh, desperate to identify anyone who may have held a grudge against him. The French police, meanwhile, have ruled out terrorism, and ruled in murder – and sent Detective Sylvie Braque to shadow their prime suspect: Niamh.

The Ninth Grave – Stefan Ahnhem

Speaking of books that I’d like to move up on the pile, The Ninth Grave is one of them.This is book #2 in the Fabian Risk series from Ahnhem. And because Victim Without a Face was one of my favorite books of the year, I can’t wait to delve into book 2. Again from Goodreads…..

The Stockholm and Copenhagen police investigate the death of a Danish TV star and the disappearance of the Swedish Minister for Justice.

TWO COUNTRIES IN THE GRIP OF WINTER.

On the coldest day of the year, Sweden’s Minister for Justice steps out of Parliament House and into a blizzard – and disappears. That same night, across the Baltic Sea, a Danish celebrity finds a stranger lurking in her snow-bound home.

So the question is – How fast can I get through the first four books to get to the last two?? I’ll let you know.

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Victim Without a Face – Stefan Ahnhem

Victim Without a Face is the first book in the Fabian Risk series from Swedish writer Stefan Ahnhem. I stumbled across this series when I was in the library last week.I found it when I was looking through the new releases, and the book , The 9th Grave caught my eye.

Once I saw the book was a Swedish mystery novel I figured it would be something I would like. However,  I saw  it was the second book in the series. Since there are only book two in the series, I figured I should go back and start with book one. Checking  the library catalog I discovered book one , Victim Without a Face was checked  in at the branch of the library I was in. So I checked it out!

Guess what I was correct, not only did I like it,  it may be the favorite book I’ve read this year! The only bad thing is I didn’t check out The 9th Grave. So I’ll have to get it on my next trip to the library.

About Victim Without a Face

In Victim Without a Face Detective Fabian Risk and his family have moved back to Risk’s hometown and into a firestorm.  Risk is scheduled to start his new job in a month, but upon his arrival in town, his new boss  asks him to help on a new murder case. He’s  asked to help is because the victims were  in Fisk’s class at school.

Soon there’s a second murder and once again the victim is one of Fisk’s classmates. Since both victims had bullied the same student, were their murders revenge? But when the killings continue the question becomes: Has the motive, changed to  the elimination  of all of the class? Catching the killer becomes frustrating as he appears to always be one step ahead of the police! So, can Risk stop the killer before he reaches his goal?

Bottom Line

In my opinion, Victim Without a Face is awesome.. Therefore, I give it a 5-star Rating. I liked everything about the book. While the book is fairly long, close to 600 pages, Ahnhem’s storytelling kept me turning the pages at a rapid clip. Hell,I just didn’t want to put the book down.

I also thought the character development throughout the entire book was top-notch, not only Fabian Risk, but all of the minor characters such as,  Dunja Hougaard a member of the Copenhagen police force, and others as well.

So I’ll leave you with the words of Tony Parson,Author of The Murder Man….

”As good as any thriller to come out of Scandinavia over the last ten years. Stefan Ahnhem is more gripping than Jo Nesbo, blacker than Stieg Larson, and more bleakly human than Henning Mankiller. This is high-octane Scandinavian crime that knows where all the bodies are buried”

So Check it Out! As for me I just checked out The 9th Grave from my library and can’t wait to return to the world of Fabian Risk!!

Links for the Further Exploration of the Books of Stefan Ahnhem

Author Website
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon

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The Shadow District – Reykjavik Wartime Mystery #1

The Shadow District by Arnaldur Indridason is book one in his new Reykjavik Wartime Mystery series.

Indridason is the author of the excellent Detective Erlender series. However, I must admit that while I have loved the series books I have read, I have fallen behind in the series. As a result, I often forget about the series. Can out say once again “too many books too little time”.

Anyway, when I saw The Shadow District in the library and discovered it was book one in a new series It was a no brainer to check it out.

The Shadow District: Plot

The story unravels in two tine periods. The first is the present. Where the police have discovered a ninety year-old man killed in his own bed, smothered by his own pillow. In the room former police Detective Konrad finds two newspaper clippings. The clippings are about a murder that occurred in wartime Reykjavik. The murder occurred in a rough part of town known as “ the shadow district” A place Konrad knows well because it’s where he grew up!

The second time period is wartime Reykjavik.  In that time period, the body of a murdered young woman is stumbled upon by a young Icelandic girl and her US Army boyfriend.  Soon the murder is being investigated by an American Military Police inspector and an Icelandic Detective.

In order to solve the murder of the old man in the present day Reykjavik , Konrad must solve the unsolved wartime murder.

The book’s chapters alternate between present day Reykjavik and Konrad’s investigation and wartime Reykjavik and the two detective’s investigation.

Bottom Line

Typically, I read several books at one time. However, I must say that once I started The Shadow District I didn’t want to leave Reykjavik until I knew the solutions two both murders.

As always, I thought  Indridason created a great story populated with some great characters.  It is however hard for me to see who will be the lead character going forward. If it is the Wartime Reykjavik series. I assume it will be either Thorson the Army military police officer or Flovent his Icelandic counterpart. If  though the stories are told in flashbacks Konrad could be the lead character, supported by the current police detective Marta.

Either way, I am certain it will be a tight well-written story. A story  populated by believable and interesting characters. I am looking forward to The Shadow District’s sequel!!

EKK Rating 4.00. Goodreads Rating: 3.69

Links for the Further Exploration of the Books of Arnaldur Indridason

Wikipedia</a
Goodreads
Amazon

Book # 10 for 2018

P.S. Note to self – start reading the Erlender series again!!

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Descent is the debut adult novel from author/teacher Tim Johnston and a decent debut it is. This novel explores complex themes of loss and family dynamics, engaging readers with its emotional depth.

The Story

It is the story of the Courtland family. Father Grant, mother Angela, and children Caitlin and Sean who are on vacation in the Colorado Rockies, when the unthinkable happens. Caitlin, 18, a high school track star, goes for a morning run in the mountains with her brother Sean. There is an accident, and only an injured Sean returns, leaving the family shattered.

Caitlin was not found after police and volunteers searched the area where Sean was discovered. As time passes, each of the Courtland family members deals differently with the loss. Grant can’t leave the mountains and waits patiently for any glimmer of hope that his daughter is alive. This desperate hope creates a tension that permeates the narrative.

Angela and Sean return to their home in Wisconsin, hoping to move on. However, neither can escape the haunting memories. Angela is especially tormented by the loss of her twin sister in a tragic accident. This backstory adds layers to her character, revealing her struggle with guilt and grief. Meanwhile, Sean feels the same burden regarding Caitlin’s disappearance.

The questions abound: Is Caitlin alive? Is there hope? Should they just move on? Can they become a whole family again? These questions serve as a poignant backdrop to the family’s unfolding tragedy, highlighting the emotional turmoil that drives the narrative forward.

Thoughts About Descent

Descent is best described as a psychological thriller that delves deeply into the emotional disintegration of the Courtland family. As I read the reviews on Goodreads, I find myself leaning more towards “Oh, well, that was okay” rather than “Wow, what a great ride.” The pacing and emotional weight of the story can often feel uneven.

While the focus of the book centers on the disintegration of the Courtland family rather than Caitlin’s fate, I found the characters lacking in relatability and depth. Constantly referring to Sean as “the boy” did little to foster compassion towards him. This choice feels alienating, detracting from the emotional connection.

Angela, on the other hand, may elicit a bit more sympathy, as she grapples with the compounded grief of both her sister and her daughter. Yet, even with her struggles laid bare, I didn’t feel the emotional connection I anticipated.

I understand that engaging with the discussion questions provided at the end of the book might enhance my experience, potentially offering deeper insights. However, that kind of analysis isn’t my usual approach. By the time I finished reading, I was eager to move on to another book, possibly even by the middle of Descent!

Bottom Line

Descent holds a 3.69 rating on Goodreads out of 5. This rating suggests that readers fell somewhere between “liked it” and “really liked it,” which is likely where I land with my assessment of Descent. Initially, I awarded it 4 stars. However, considering my feelings during the book’s slower middle sections while anticipating something significant, I would adjust my rating to 3 stars. Averaging it out gives a score of 3.5, aligning closely with the 3.69 rating from Goodreads readers. Thus, I will settle on a rating of EKK Rating 3.69.

If you’re drawn to character studies and emotional depth, you may find Descent resonates with you. Conversely, if you’re seeking thrills and chilling suspense, this book might leave you wanting more.

Conclusions on Descent

Ultimately, Descent presents a thought-provoking narrative that explores the intricacies of family relationships in the face of tragedy. While it may not deliver the thrills some readers seek, its emotional core provides a rich landscape for reflection. Tim Johnston’s debut novel opens discussions on how loss shapes us, making it a significant piece of contemporary literature.

In conclusion, Descent is not just a story of a missing girl; it’s a deep dive into the psyche of a family unraveling at the seams. Readers seeking a profound look at grief intertwined with human relationships will find value in this work.

The Setting: A Character of Its Own

The Colorado Rockies are not just a backdrop in Descent; they play a crucial role in the storytelling. The majestic yet perilous landscape mirrors the family’s emotional journey. The isolation of the mountains enhances the feeling of despair and longing.

The setting also provides a stark contrast to the family’s home in Wisconsin, illustrating the shift from safety to danger. Johnston’s vivid descriptions make the reader feel the oppressive weight of the mountains, adding depth to the narrative.

Themes of Loss and Resilience

A significant theme in Descent is the exploration of resilience in the face of overwhelming loss. The characters’ journeys depict various coping mechanisms, from denial to acceptance. The stark contrast between Grant’s fixation on hope and Angela’s descent into despair deepens the narrative.

This theme resonates with many readers, as it mirrors real-life experiences of grief and recovery. Johnston effectively captures the complexity of navigating through personal and collective trauma.

In-Depth Character Analysis

The characters in Descent serve as a lens through which we examine grief. Grant embodies the archetype of the father clinging to hope, while Angela represents the complex interplay of past trauma and present loss. Sean’s status as ‘the boy’ can be re-evaluated as a narrative choice that may limit depth but also reflects his youth and vulnerability.

Their journeys through grief are compelling yet flawed, pushing the reader to confront their understanding of loss. Johnston’s portrayal invites reflection on how tragedy reshapes family dynamics and individual identities.

Links

Author’s Website
Amazon
Review: Publisher’s Weekly
Goodreads
Book Journey Discussion Questions

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