A review by gabmc
Ohio by Stephen Markley

4.0

This is a very powerful book where most of the action takes place in one night, between four former high school friends. The fictional town of New Canaan, Ohio, is the setting for the novel and high school friendships and romances play a large role. Drug addiction, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the aftermath of the 2008 recession, death at a young age and town rumours of 'the murder that never was' touch on all four characters who have a point of view. Bill Ashcraft was a left wing activist back in high school - he is back in 'The Cane' to deliver a mysterious package (the contents of which he doesn't want to know). His best friend from high school, Rick Brinkland was killed in Iraq. Then there is Stacey Moore, a graduate student who has returned to New Canaan at the request of the mother of her high school love - Lisa Han. Lisa hasn't been seen for years and her mother has reached out to Stacey to see if she has news of her. Dan Eaton is also back in town, to visit his parents and ex-girlfriend. Dan lost an eye in Iraq. Finally Tina Ross is returning - she had a 'relationship' with the former captain of the football team in high school which left her both physically and mentally scarred. Something bad happens on that night in 2013 and the novel leads up to this tragedy, exploring the relationships between the characters along the way.