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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Middle school math teacher, Adam Merkel has been murdered and collegue, Nora Wheaton has decided to learn more about Adam and who might have wanted him dead. The first place she looks is in the direction of Sal Prentiss, a lonely boy that Adam had taken under his wing and the same boy who found Adam's body. Nora discovers that Adam had lived through the tragic death of his son, Benjamin in a car accident caused by Adam when he was high on heroin. Nora is reminded of the death of her brother Jeremy when her father was driving home drunk and caused an accident that killed Jeremy. Nora's investigation leads her to some disturbing facts that make her wonder if she really knew Adam at all.
I read a review of The Distant Dead describing it as a slow burn, but I found it to be more of an annoying trickle. So much of the information and the characters in the book are not necessary, making it feel like the story was built on red herrings rather than an interesting plot. Each chapter is told from the perspective of either Sal, Nora, or Jake (who doesn't seem to have much to do with the story at all). Some chapters are told from a perspective that is unknown. In the end all of the characters are tragic and not very likable, making for a depressing series of events
I read a review of The Distant Dead describing it as a slow burn, but I found it to be more of an annoying trickle. So much of the information and the characters in the book are not necessary, making it feel like the story was built on red herrings rather than an interesting plot. Each chapter is told from the perspective of either Sal, Nora, or Jake (who doesn't seem to have much to do with the story at all). Some chapters are told from a perspective that is unknown. In the end all of the characters are tragic and not very likable, making for a depressing series of events
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nora Wheaton, a middle school social studies teacher in a small town, is worried about one of her coworkers, a math teacher named Adam Merkel. It is March 14th, Pi Day, and she knows that he would not miss work that day since he is bringing pies for his students to celebrate. That same morning, while Sal is on his way to the school bus stop, he comes across a gruesome scene; a body, completely burned, in the desert. When the smoke clears, literally and figuratively, it is confirmed that the body in the desert is that of Adam Merkel. As Nora, with some help from her friend Jake, works to figure out what happened to Adam, she discovers the town, and its citizens, are full of secrets, some of which have become burdens that have lasting and far-reaching consequences.
Heather Young created an absolutely phenomenal story in The Distant Dead. It was a hard novel to put down and it constantly kept me guessing; every time that I thought I had it all figured out, I was downright wrong. Young creates these great characters that you really feel for, and she weaves them together so well. The narrative is not linear; the action jumps between the present and the past, and they begin to merge together perfectly towards the end. Young gives the reader information about the past at just the right times, adding to the suspense and mystery. The action of the novel is seen through the eyes of both Sal and Nora, creating an interesting contrast within the novel as well as giving a voice to a character who seems to often not have a voice.
The Distant Dead is an entertaining page-turner that at times will leave you on the edge of your seat, will make you want to cry at others, but will always be difficult to put down. I highly recommend it!
Thank you to William Morrow and Goodreads for sending me an uncorrected proof of The Distant Dead by Heather Young, given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Heather Young created an absolutely phenomenal story in The Distant Dead. It was a hard novel to put down and it constantly kept me guessing; every time that I thought I had it all figured out, I was downright wrong. Young creates these great characters that you really feel for, and she weaves them together so well. The narrative is not linear; the action jumps between the present and the past, and they begin to merge together perfectly towards the end. Young gives the reader information about the past at just the right times, adding to the suspense and mystery. The action of the novel is seen through the eyes of both Sal and Nora, creating an interesting contrast within the novel as well as giving a voice to a character who seems to often not have a voice.
The Distant Dead is an entertaining page-turner that at times will leave you on the edge of your seat, will make you want to cry at others, but will always be difficult to put down. I highly recommend it!
Thank you to William Morrow and Goodreads for sending me an uncorrected proof of The Distant Dead by Heather Young, given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
A fabulous book!
Great style of writing, excellent storytelling, rounded characters and a solid mystery that keeps you guessing.
It's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Great style of writing, excellent storytelling, rounded characters and a solid mystery that keeps you guessing.
It's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Maths , its beauty and mystery, is an important part of THE DISTANT DEAD. That isn't exactly something I can understand, given my mathematical ineptitude and the psychological blockage that followed, rendering me barely able to complete simple operations.
But I digress. My mother studied mathematics in university. Her talent, knowledge and interest are almost secret, she so rarely talks about it. My mother is an intellectual, with an acutely artistic mind, a good eye. In that way, I understood a bit of what Heather Young wrote about the passion that can move mathematician. Those passages were, to me, surprisingly emotional.
The characters in THE DISTANT DEAD have a deep, implicated sensibility to them. The story is told from three points of view: Sal's, Nora's, and Jake's.
Absalom "Sal" Prentiss, a twelve year old quiet boy, a dreamer, a watcher, was the best character in my opinion. He grapples with a new understanding of right and wrong as he comes to understand his gift as an observer, as someone who understands people. Nora and Jake are creatures of duty whose loyalties conflict with their dreams and passions. They to want to do good, sometimes reluctantly.
Other than maths, empathy and righteousness, THE DISTANT DEAD is also about the opioid and opiates crisis, and about grief and forgiveness.
The story is told in a non-linear fashion, going back in forth in the chronology depending on the POV. In the end, the mystery isn't really a mystery, and more of a device for the exploration of the characters and aforementioned themes.
There is an element of magic réalisme of the "is it even really magic?" type.
It is slow moving at times, but nicely written.
But I digress. My mother studied mathematics in university. Her talent, knowledge and interest are almost secret, she so rarely talks about it. My mother is an intellectual, with an acutely artistic mind, a good eye. In that way, I understood a bit of what Heather Young wrote about the passion that can move mathematician. Those passages were, to me, surprisingly emotional.
The characters in THE DISTANT DEAD have a deep, implicated sensibility to them. The story is told from three points of view: Sal's, Nora's, and Jake's.
Absalom "Sal" Prentiss, a twelve year old quiet boy, a dreamer, a watcher, was the best character in my opinion. He grapples with a new understanding of right and wrong as he comes to understand his gift as an observer, as someone who understands people. Nora and Jake are creatures of duty whose loyalties conflict with their dreams and passions. They to want to do good, sometimes reluctantly.
Other than maths, empathy and righteousness, THE DISTANT DEAD is also about the opioid and opiates crisis, and about grief and forgiveness.
The story is told in a non-linear fashion, going back in forth in the chronology depending on the POV. In the end, the mystery isn't really a mystery, and more of a device for the exploration of the characters and aforementioned themes.
There is an element of magic réalisme of the "is it even really magic?" type.
It is slow moving at times, but nicely written.
For the full, in-depth review, as part of the promotional tour, visit If These Books Could Talk
A new maths teacher, Adam Merkel, is found by a young boy, Sal, with whom he had grown quite close. ‘Merkel the Turtle (as he was called by his students) has been brutally bound and set alight, left to scream in agony. When Sal alerts volunteer fireman Jake it sets in motion a chain of events that threaten to wreck the lives of many. Local teacher Nora, self-appointed friend of Merkel, makes it her mission to uncover the truth behind his murder while trying to protect the young boy at the centre of the mystery. As she unravels the information she is forced to re-evaluate her strained relationship with her father, a man she can not forgive for a terrible accident years earlier.
Young gives the three central characters (Sal, Nora and Jake) their own chapters through The Distant Dead and this really helps with getting under the skin of each one. All are set in the present day apart from Sal, who gives us an insight into the murder victim as well as his own demons. These demons mainly come in the form of his uncles Ezra and Gideon Prentiss who he has been placed to live with since the death of his mother Grace. Jake has always held a torch for Grace, but it never came to fruition, adding an extra element to the plot. Ezra and Gideon are truly hideous men, each manipulating Sal for their own ends. Young creates a feeling of ambiguity around the Prentiss brothers that makes you not only second-guess your own thoughts about their actions but also makes you read on to confirm or deny them.
Young creates tension perfectly throughout The Distant Dead. This is really where the novel shines. Stand-offs are executed perfectly, and various characters moments of loneliness, terror, rage and even violence never feel superfluous. Unfortunately, there are moments where the narrative veers off into factual territory – often in the middle of conversations or scenes setting- and this felt jarring. While the factual nuggets were interesting, they pulled me out of the narrative and towards the end of the novel I did find myself skipping them to progress the plot.
The Distant Dead is a haunting and tense thriller mystery depicting the shattered lives of small-town America and its issues with addiction. Not an easy read, it will leave you rooting for its young protagonist as he faces the injustices thrown at him
A new maths teacher, Adam Merkel, is found by a young boy, Sal, with whom he had grown quite close. ‘Merkel the Turtle (as he was called by his students) has been brutally bound and set alight, left to scream in agony. When Sal alerts volunteer fireman Jake it sets in motion a chain of events that threaten to wreck the lives of many. Local teacher Nora, self-appointed friend of Merkel, makes it her mission to uncover the truth behind his murder while trying to protect the young boy at the centre of the mystery. As she unravels the information she is forced to re-evaluate her strained relationship with her father, a man she can not forgive for a terrible accident years earlier.
Young gives the three central characters (Sal, Nora and Jake) their own chapters through The Distant Dead and this really helps with getting under the skin of each one. All are set in the present day apart from Sal, who gives us an insight into the murder victim as well as his own demons. These demons mainly come in the form of his uncles Ezra and Gideon Prentiss who he has been placed to live with since the death of his mother Grace. Jake has always held a torch for Grace, but it never came to fruition, adding an extra element to the plot. Ezra and Gideon are truly hideous men, each manipulating Sal for their own ends. Young creates a feeling of ambiguity around the Prentiss brothers that makes you not only second-guess your own thoughts about their actions but also makes you read on to confirm or deny them.
Young creates tension perfectly throughout The Distant Dead. This is really where the novel shines. Stand-offs are executed perfectly, and various characters moments of loneliness, terror, rage and even violence never feel superfluous. Unfortunately, there are moments where the narrative veers off into factual territory – often in the middle of conversations or scenes setting- and this felt jarring. While the factual nuggets were interesting, they pulled me out of the narrative and towards the end of the novel I did find myself skipping them to progress the plot.
The Distant Dead is a haunting and tense thriller mystery depicting the shattered lives of small-town America and its issues with addiction. Not an easy read, it will leave you rooting for its young protagonist as he faces the injustices thrown at him
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated