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A review by judithdcollins
Descent by Tim Johnston
5.0
I am utterly speechless!
Top Books of 2015
DESCENT must be made into a movie, and I want a front-row seat. Tim Johnston delivers an extraordinary "work of art," narrated by an award-winning performance of Xe Sands and R.C. Bray. One of the best books of the year, and assured to win numerous awards.
Where to begin? Grant and Angela are going to the Rockies for a last family vacation, to Colorado and the great outdoors, before eighteen-year-old Caitland, an avid runner, goes off to college (track scholarship), along with younger brother Sean.
While mom and dad are at the motel having sex, the brother/sister take off to the hills on their adventure. However, when a tragic accident occurs, Sean is hit by a car while on his bike; with no cell phone reception, Caitland is frantic as her brother needs help. They find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
When a stranger comes along and agrees to take her down the mountain to call her parents and seek help, a family’s nightmare begins, and none of their lives will ever be the same. This is one sick, twisted guy.
An emotional and intense journey, as slowly each family member falls apart, one by one. Each blames the other, feels guilt, and cannot console the other. There are emotional wounds, even from the past, before the tragedy.
When no clues turn up, or a body, Grant thinks Angela needs to return home to Wisconsin. She has depression problems and withdraws. Grant stays in Colorado, helping another older man (this story is quite humorous) at times.
Sean wants to escape, takes off in his dad’s truck, and crosses the country with one problem after another. (this guy cannot catch a break). Sean is fearless and wants to help everyone since he cannot help his sister. Finally, Grant bails his son out of jail, and the two remain in Colorado as they continue their search.
As the days on the mountain become years, a tale of survival, family bonds, courage, love, choices, and an experience that will change them forever.
This is not your ordinary novel of a typical kidnapping or abduction. It is so much more. We do not hear much from Caitland and less of the mother back in Wisconsin; however, the novel takes many twists and turns into the lives of a family in Colorado and the powerful connection, which will make readers cry and laugh simultaneously, for an emotional journey. (Emmett, Billy, Sheriff connection)
Captivating! Johnston is a gifted and creative writer who weaves a suspense psycho-crime thriller that crosses many genres. Not only is this an intense, harrowing mystery thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, hanging on every word; it is an exploration into human dynamics, the beautiful literary prose, and the many metaphors . . .Spellbinding.
Completely blown away by the writing, as difficult to put into words. I am reminded of a mix of rough and tough Clint Eastwood, a twisted and evil mind of Anthony Hopkins, yet poetic and elegant at the same time with flawed characters, pulling you into the heartfelt, strong bond of family as they make their broken way back to one another. Best of all, Johnston pulls this off in one riveting, poignant novel.
Reminiscent of Charles Martin, Ron Rash, John Hart, Allen Eskens, T. Greenwood, and Catherine Ryan Hyde with the outdoor mountain setting, small-town characters, and the deep human emotional dynamics—many elements.
Guys will devour this one, and the gals- from rough and rugged suspense to deeply moving, emotional, and intense.
My recommendation: Start reading this today, and set aside the time, as you will not be able to stop! Best High-Wire Literary Thriller
A special thank you to Algonquin Books and NetGalley for a complimentary reading copy in exchange for an honest review. (I also purchased the audio.)
Blog review posted @
Judith D. Collins
@JudithDColins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Top Books of 2015
Pub Date: 01/06/2019
My Rating: 5 Stars ++
Top Books of 2015
DESCENT must be made into a movie, and I want a front-row seat. Tim Johnston delivers an extraordinary "work of art," narrated by an award-winning performance of Xe Sands and R.C. Bray. One of the best books of the year, and assured to win numerous awards.
Where to begin? Grant and Angela are going to the Rockies for a last family vacation, to Colorado and the great outdoors, before eighteen-year-old Caitland, an avid runner, goes off to college (track scholarship), along with younger brother Sean.
While mom and dad are at the motel having sex, the brother/sister take off to the hills on their adventure. However, when a tragic accident occurs, Sean is hit by a car while on his bike; with no cell phone reception, Caitland is frantic as her brother needs help. They find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
When a stranger comes along and agrees to take her down the mountain to call her parents and seek help, a family’s nightmare begins, and none of their lives will ever be the same. This is one sick, twisted guy.
An emotional and intense journey, as slowly each family member falls apart, one by one. Each blames the other, feels guilt, and cannot console the other. There are emotional wounds, even from the past, before the tragedy.
When no clues turn up, or a body, Grant thinks Angela needs to return home to Wisconsin. She has depression problems and withdraws. Grant stays in Colorado, helping another older man (this story is quite humorous) at times.
Sean wants to escape, takes off in his dad’s truck, and crosses the country with one problem after another. (this guy cannot catch a break). Sean is fearless and wants to help everyone since he cannot help his sister. Finally, Grant bails his son out of jail, and the two remain in Colorado as they continue their search.
As the days on the mountain become years, a tale of survival, family bonds, courage, love, choices, and an experience that will change them forever.
This is not your ordinary novel of a typical kidnapping or abduction. It is so much more. We do not hear much from Caitland and less of the mother back in Wisconsin; however, the novel takes many twists and turns into the lives of a family in Colorado and the powerful connection, which will make readers cry and laugh simultaneously, for an emotional journey. (Emmett, Billy, Sheriff connection)
Captivating! Johnston is a gifted and creative writer who weaves a suspense psycho-crime thriller that crosses many genres. Not only is this an intense, harrowing mystery thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, hanging on every word; it is an exploration into human dynamics, the beautiful literary prose, and the many metaphors . . .Spellbinding.
Completely blown away by the writing, as difficult to put into words. I am reminded of a mix of rough and tough Clint Eastwood, a twisted and evil mind of Anthony Hopkins, yet poetic and elegant at the same time with flawed characters, pulling you into the heartfelt, strong bond of family as they make their broken way back to one another. Best of all, Johnston pulls this off in one riveting, poignant novel.
Reminiscent of Charles Martin, Ron Rash, John Hart, Allen Eskens, T. Greenwood, and Catherine Ryan Hyde with the outdoor mountain setting, small-town characters, and the deep human emotional dynamics—many elements.
Guys will devour this one, and the gals- from rough and rugged suspense to deeply moving, emotional, and intense.
My recommendation: Start reading this today, and set aside the time, as you will not be able to stop! Best High-Wire Literary Thriller
A special thank you to Algonquin Books and NetGalley for a complimentary reading copy in exchange for an honest review. (I also purchased the audio.)
Blog review posted @
Judith D. Collins
@JudithDColins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Top Books of 2015
Pub Date: 01/06/2019
My Rating: 5 Stars ++