A review by alwaysbooking
The Devil's Country by Harry Hunsicker

3.0

This book was not what I had expected. I thought it would be a suspense story.. but kind of went down the mystery side very fast. Arlo is traveling by bus around the country side ever since his family was murdered. All Arlo wants to do is sit and eat his food and be left alone to read his book. However he seems to be drug into the drama of a woman in a peasant gown with two children that need his help. One minute they are there asking for his help, the next he is defending them from two goons and they disappear!

Arlo will not leave town until he finds the woman and her children. Then he becomes the main suspect in a murder, however instead of being locked up or told not to leave town. He is told quite the opposite, he is told to get out right now. Arlo is the type of character that just can’t keep his nose out of everyone else’s business and leave well enough alone. He needs to know those kids are safe before he can leave. It seems one strange event leads to another and no one in this god forsaken town will give him straight answer until he meets an unlikely ally.

There were some things I did like about this book, the action scenes were spot on I could see them vividly in my mind. I could almost latch on to Arlo’s character most of the time, especially when he would have flashbacks. The plot line was a fantastic idea and where it all came together in the end was really good. However there were some scenes in the book that were never explained in any way. Was it a ghost or a mirage? Is Arlo loosing his mind? Those types of things need explained somehow somewhere. My lack of character connection really killed it for me. There was a lot of jumping around between the past and now, honestly I would’ve rather had the past story told than the now story.

This book had me intrigued at parts and confused at others. I’m not sure this would be everyone’s cup of tea. I would suggest picking it up at your local library or bookstore and trying a couple chapters out first.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for my copy in lieu of my honest review.