Scan barcode
granniepeg's review against another edition
5.0
I received this book for Christmas. First I have read of this author. I enjoyed it and will read more of his books. The main character comes home after being away for 5 years. A lot of family drama and did he do it or not, in the plot.
alexcarbonneau's review against another edition
4.0
Show me a crime writer that's as literary as Hart and I'll show you a liar !!
Good Lord John Hart has a way with words like I have mine with beers and chicken wings.
I'd give a solid, mucho solid, 4 star rating to Down River based on the lone fact that The Last Child and Redemption Road felt more complete and complex to me.
That being said, this deserves a 7 star out of 5 for prose and storytelling. I can't emphasize enough on how I love this guys writing. If i get 10% as good as he is one day, then my artistic life will be overachieved.
Read it twice. Once to appreciate the story, then once to appreciate the writing.
Good Lord John Hart has a way with words like I have mine with beers and chicken wings.
I'd give a solid, mucho solid, 4 star rating to Down River based on the lone fact that The Last Child and Redemption Road felt more complete and complex to me.
That being said, this deserves a 7 star out of 5 for prose and storytelling. I can't emphasize enough on how I love this guys writing. If i get 10% as good as he is one day, then my artistic life will be overachieved.
Read it twice. Once to appreciate the story, then once to appreciate the writing.
dianem18's review against another edition
3.0
This was definitely in the I liked but didn't love category. Redemption road was just so much better developed than this and the Last child- I can see JH's growth as a writer (in reverse) in regards to character development, pacing and depth and meaning. I still have very high hopes for the Unwilling!!
bjerz's review against another edition
4.0
Some months ago I read John Hart's The King of Lies and fell in love with his prose. He described the desperate beauty of rural North Carolina, the place and the people. Down River took much longer to settle into the writing style I so admired, but once it did the result was magic: "The small body sagged, and the emotion that touched her face was as soft and quick as a moth's wing beating once." Not only is Down River masterfully written it is a great who done it. Just be patient.
crazy4reading's review against another edition
5.0
WOW was my reaction to John Hart's novel Down River. I found myself reading this book when I should have been doing my job and cleaning the house. I just couldn't put the book down. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time that I read this book.
Down River is a mystery book that is different then what I have read in the past. The main character, Adam Chase was acquitted 5 years ago for a murder he did not commit. Adam is exiled by his family and the population of Rowan County after his acquittal and he doesn't want to go back when he receives a call from one of his friends, Danny Faith asking him to come back. Adam had pushed his past out of his head until he received that call from Danny, begging him to come back. Adams return is one filled with many different emotions. Some people have missed him and are happy yet angry to see him back in town.
No sooner is Adam in town and dead bodies start showing up again so everyone begins to ponder what is happening again in their town. Everyone believes Adam is the one who has committed the murders. The cops, judges and even some family members think he is responsible for the past murder and the new ones that happen in Down River. The twists and turns in the pages of this story kept me trying to figure out who was the murderer. I have to admit that I would read a chapter and then try to figure out who dunnit. I was pleasantly surprised by the actual ending and will be thinking about this book for awhile.
Looking for a wonderful mystery to read then I recommend Down River by John Hart!!
Down River is a mystery book that is different then what I have read in the past. The main character, Adam Chase was acquitted 5 years ago for a murder he did not commit. Adam is exiled by his family and the population of Rowan County after his acquittal and he doesn't want to go back when he receives a call from one of his friends, Danny Faith asking him to come back. Adam had pushed his past out of his head until he received that call from Danny, begging him to come back. Adams return is one filled with many different emotions. Some people have missed him and are happy yet angry to see him back in town.
No sooner is Adam in town and dead bodies start showing up again so everyone begins to ponder what is happening again in their town. Everyone believes Adam is the one who has committed the murders. The cops, judges and even some family members think he is responsible for the past murder and the new ones that happen in Down River. The twists and turns in the pages of this story kept me trying to figure out who was the murderer. I have to admit that I would read a chapter and then try to figure out who dunnit. I was pleasantly surprised by the actual ending and will be thinking about this book for awhile.
Looking for a wonderful mystery to read then I recommend Down River by John Hart!!
rachelalicex's review against another edition
2.0
I found this book predictable and barely captivating but there was just enough intrigue to keep me turning pages until the end. I was interested to discover if my initial prediction was correct and it was. I wouldn't recommend this as a particularly exciting thriller but it is an easy read if that's what you're looking for.
angelaf's review
3.0
Well-written mystery with an atmospheric setting. Great plot twist. Some of the details piece together throughout the novel, but the entire plot does not come together until the end.
alannafowler's review against another edition
5.0
This book had me hooked! I had no idea where the book was going and my theories changed every chapter. I could see this being a country crime tv show with Adam being a really hot guy in a leather jacket surrounded by cowboys in their denim.
robinhigdon's review against another edition
4.0
fast paced action in this multiple murder mystery. john hart never disappoints.
debbie13410's review against another edition
3.0
Seems like a nothing special book. Good read. Some things I was annoyed with like the love story. A lot of going from one house to the next.