Reviews

Iron House by John Hart

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poedogruns's review against another edition

3.0

hated this novel when I started it. I thought it was another B grade action violent flick with dim characters and exploding cars. But it quickly became impossible to walk away from. [return][return]John Hart is an expert at building suspense into a well crafted story. The main character is anything but stereotypical. He is a self acknowledged killer, a harden man who is also filled with regret and a desire to change his life. Circumstances and a commitment to family keep pulling him back down. He has a mystery to solve, which takes him deep into the Tennessee Hills and some of the most despicable people imaginable.[return][return]While the novel creeps into the fantastical, with like 90 million dollars just waiting to be taken by the right criminal, and the bombshell beauty with all the right moves, there still remains a compelling edge. The violence inflicted on a minor character is extradionary, almost a distraction. But I think that is what sets this story apart from just another predictable, boring action story. The writing is unexpectedly good.

kristinrob's review against another edition

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5.0

I love John Hart's work, and I loved this book! Lyrical and eloquent, yet the story is brutal, and the body count high. A great story!

gkonkler's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a great listening experience. Great story and a great reader. Look forward to more of John Hart's work.

cheye13's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was an extremely well-written book – the writing was surprisingly beautiful and the constant rotation of perspectives pushed the story forward. I was also surprised by sexist tropes this story managed to avoid. The graphic nature of the violence was a bit hard to handle, more horror-style than thriller-typical, I'd say.

However the tropes it did fall into were underwhelming, and perhaps more suited to 2011. The mental health portrayal is cliche and, I believe, mostly incorrect. (And Julian is severely neglected as a perspective despite being such a central character). The ultimate "villains" are shallow, the potential for nuance completely disregarded.

This was an entertaining read and very well-told but the story itself was a disappointment.

Content Warnings

covertocovergirl's review against another edition

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5.0

I figured out the twist but still an absolute barn burning, page turning, edge of your seat thriller... FANTASTIC! INTENSE! Thank you John Hart. This one is a keeper... it's going straight into my library. Starting another book by you like... now 😍
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