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katchie's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
thatadhdfarmmom's review against another edition
3.0
This book started out with HUGE potential...and then just kind of dwindled down to a disappointing ending.
It wasn't terrible, and I don't regret reading it, but there could have been so much MORE to it.
It wasn't terrible, and I don't regret reading it, but there could have been so much MORE to it.
momji's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2 Stars. Overall, this was a pretty good story. The characters were a little underdeveloped and I had a hard time believing the ending and the details around the teacher’s death. However, I appreciated the struggles of addiction and poverty and how people are a complex mixture of good and bad traits.
blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I'm always up for an atmospheric mystery and THE DISTANT DEAD is that. The desolation of the Nevada desert comes alive in this novel, so much so that it permeates the whole story with a bleakness that is almost unrelenting. It's not just the landscape that is stark and harsh, but it's also the sad decay of the characters as they live out their miserable lives in their dusty, dying town. Sure, there's a little hope offered here and there. Overall, though, this is one depressing novel. Because of this and the plot's plodding pace, I almost put it down multiple times. I kept reading because I wanted to know what happened to Adam Merkel, even though I suspected the truth from the beginning. The ending did nothing to lift the heavy dreariness of the book—in fact, it made it worse. Young's prose is skilled enough, but the overwhelming bleakness of this novel plus its slow pacing made it a slow, unsatisfying read for me. I wanted to like it a lot more than I actually did. Bummer.
suburbrat's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 - this book was a tad too long for me. Not in actual length but in pacing. I absolutely loved the story and I was truly surprised at the ending, but there were so many things that just .... felt unnecessary. And this could probably be a me thing because I've been in a HUGE reading slump. However, I KNOW I am a fan of Heather Young and her ability to weave a beautiful story with compelling characters.
hannahmaybookreviews's review against another edition
3.0
Title: The Distant Dead
Author: Heather Young
Pub: Verve Books
Pages: 352
Rating: 3/5
A huge thank you to the author, Random Things Tours and Verve books for allowing me to be part of the blog tour.
Synopsis:
Sal Prentiss makes a grisly discovery near where he lives with his two uncles. The discovery being the body on his friend and middle school teacher, Adam Merkel. These two outcasts had developed a tender relationship after tragedy had affected them both. Now all that is left of Sal’s friend is the charred remains of his body. The small Nevada town is rocked by this brutal murder, especially Nora Wheaton, a colleague of Adam’s. Nora begins to befriend and gain the trust of Sal, so he can begin to piece together the last months of Adam’s life, knowing that Sal could be the key to solving the murder.
Review:
When I first read the book description it sounded like this could be a read that you could sink your teeth into, as it sounded like there could be plenty going on. I enjoy a good thriller and the reviews looked promising, so I was eager to get stuck in. I genuinely didn’t know what to expect, but for me those are the best types of read.
I found the opener to be very powerful, it definitely catches your attention and it brings to light instantly how beautiful this author can write at times. It was evident from the beginning that Heather is a very descriptive writer who can create imagery.
The story is told from different perspectives, Sal, Nora and Jake’s. This is clear to follow and helps you to really understand each character. I connected well with both Nora and Jake as they appeared to be gentle souls for me, making them likeable. What I also liked about the characters is that I was genuinely questioning myself at times whether my judgements were correct about them, and this continued throughout. I enjoyed the fact I couldn’t make my mind up and I was curious as to how it would all work out.
The story didn’t necessarily have me on edge, but I think this is because it isn’t your actual typical kind of thriller. The story was a slow burner and it was both emotional and dark at times. I wouldn’t say the plot is explosive, but there are plenty of twists and turns along the way that have you constantly changing your judgement. The characters were complex and flawed and things did begin to really kick off with them when we got to the climax.
I know a book is good when you genuinely do not guess the plot, and this was the case for The Distant Dead. The story is well-written and it is evident throughout that Heather Young is a very talented writer.
marie_gg's review against another edition
4.0
This book will make you look at poverty, drug addiction, and childhood trauma in a new way. It's the story of a high school teacher with a sketchy past, who gets acquainted with an outcast, in a small Nevada town. When the teacher shows up dead, a fellow teacher begins following the breadcrumbs.