The New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-winning novel with from an author whose "prose is like Raymond Chandler's, angular and hard" (Entertainment Weekly). Adam Chase has spent the last five years in New York City trying to erase his worst memories and the scorn and abandonment of his family. Then a phone call from his best friend awakens in him a torrent of emotion and pain. Having left North Carolina and its red soil for good, he never thought returning would be easy—but being remembered as a murderer doesn't help much. Adam is beaten, accosted, and hostilely confronted by his family, including Grace, the young woman whose abandonment torments him still. Then people start turning up dead. Within this small Southern town, John Hart explores the lengths to which people will go for money, family, and pure greed—and whether or not forgiveness is ever attainable.
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"The cover warranted a look inside this book. When I discovered it took place in North Carolina, I had to read it. Adam Chase is aquitted of murder in Rowan County and is run out of town. Adam returns several years later to right some wrongs. There are many twists and turns along the way among the relationships between the characters. The ending took me by surprise. I would recommend this book."
— Amy (4 out of 5 stars)
“This book should settle once and for all the question of whether thrillers and mysteries can also be literature.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“As in his Edgar-nominated debut, The King of Lies, Hart takes his time, snaring the reader with evocative storytelling and lush prose.”
— Boston Globe“A sensitive rumination on the emotional force of family dynamics.”
— Washington Post“There are few books published that can legitimately be called a ‘must-read,’ but this is one of them.”
— Chicago Sun-Times“An engrossing, bittersweet reading experience that expertly evokes William Faulkner, John Grisham, and John Berendt.”
— Mystery Scene“Down River is a beautifully constructed story of personal redemption, family secrets, and murder—a small-town epic…A truly splendid novel with a deep emotional core.”
— Booklist (starred review)“Hart’s sophomore effort surpasses his debut…This work is reminiscent of Raymond Chandler’s novels…The writing is simply superb.”
— Library Journal (starred review)“Hart’s work invokes the spirit of the best of southern literature. Down River puts readers in the mind of topics explored by Thomas Wolfe, Tennessee Williams, and William Faulkner, with a contemporary vision and edge that is memorable and haunting. Hart is a deep and strong talent whose future offerings will be greatly anticipated and welcomed.”
— BookReporter.com“Southern writer John Hart's work has a lyrical quality that Scott Sowers narrates with a growling weariness...The combination of Hart and Sowers provides the perfect marriage of prose and voice. Together they enable the book to transcend genre fiction and become something exceptional.
— AudioFile, Earphones Award WinnerScott Sowers delivers a solid performance reading Hart's powerful second novel…Hart writes with an intimate sense of melancholy and loss that Sowers resonates perfectly. Using a low-key, Southern accent to good advantage, Sowers draws the listener into the story from the very beginning with his simple, earnest delivery, and holds them tight.
— Publishers WeeklyAn ambitious debut thriller...well spun...a gripping performance.
— People on The King of LiesThere hasn't been a thriller as showily literate since Scott Turow came along.
— The New York Times" First book I have read for John Hart, and I can say that I couldn't put down the book till I finished it. Not that it was all amazing & had a waw factor ... on the contrary, I just wanted to see how the end was!!! "
— Jo, 2/9/2014" Mystery story of a man from a wealthy, Southern family who was accused of murder, acquitted, moved to NY then returned home after 5 years. Upon his arrival there is another murder, assault, etc. Lots of family dysfunction and secrets. I had it figured out early on....not one of my favorites. "
— Carolyn, 1/31/2014" I couldn't put this book down. Adam Chase and his ridiculously dysfunctional family is a wonderfully nuanced characterand even though you may figure out part of the mystery, you never get it all which keeps you reading until the last page. "
— Joanne7758, 1/19/2014" Really good book! It was not a formula mystery and kept you thinking and wondering throughout the entire book. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. Plus it is set in the South by a southern writer. "
— Tim, 1/18/2014" Didn't like it as much as "The Last Child" but was still well worth reading. "
— Maureen, 1/13/2014" As the central mystery unfolds in this book, so does the mystery of the main character's past--even the past he was not aware of. Secrets are revealed and many are forced to come to terms with decisions they have made. "
— Amanda, 1/12/2014" first book I read by this author, very good! "
— Leslie, 1/8/2014" John Hart won the Edgar in 2008 for this book. Lots of twists and suspense. An excellant read. "
— Jeffrey, 1/7/2014" At first it seemed like any other crime drama, but the characters grew on me and I found myself actually liking the book. "
— Cathy, 12/21/2013" Thoroughly enjoyed all the twists in this novel "
— Orla, 12/20/2013" Books was pretty good despite a slow build. I think enjoyed John Hart's King of Lies more than this one...despite that I enjoyed this book and will probably pick up another book by this author soon. Good legal / murder mystery kind of books. Was surprised in the end but it all made sense. "
— Randy, 11/24/2013" I had a hard time liking the central character, due to his rashness and anger issues. I could identify with none of the characters in the book at all. Plot was more the author's strength. Lots of action and a good mystery, even though I pretty much guessed the "killer". "
— Jane, 11/24/2013" This book was a page turner. I thought I figured the story out, but I was wrong. Good suspense novel that kept my attention throught the entire novel. It was a bitch to find though! "
— Cmayorga, 9/26/2013" Finished book and enjoyed it very much! "
— Nancy, 9/19/2013" This book reminded me of a contemporary Tennessee Williams novel...in a good way. Family secrets unraveling page by page. I could not put this book down until I finished it in the middle of the night. "
— Justaskmom, 9/14/2013" A very good and complicated story. "
— David, 7/9/2013" Not as good as his other books. "
— Paula, 3/19/2013" This won an Edgar Award, so I picked it up. I put it back down. I'll stick with James Lee Burke. "
— Irene, 1/21/2013" This is an amazing author. This book is not quite as good, in my opinion, as Iron House and The Last Child, but it is still really good. "
— Lynette, 11/28/2012" John Hart does it again. Characters that are rich and deep, and a real gift of descriptive prose. "
— Connie, 9/27/2012" I like his writing style, he always manages to get human relationships pretty accurate. Bit of suspense and some plot twists. "
— Free, 9/8/2012" Dude can write; very good murder mystery. Liked it a lot "
— Kennedy, 5/19/2012" Good story, not too predictable. I listened to the audio version with Scott Sowers narrating, which was a plus. "The Last Child" was better, but I liked this one well enough that I'll read/listen to his next one, "Iron House." "
— Janet, 4/2/2012" Captivating read. Characterization is fabulous, the plot is captivating, I couldn't put it down! Excellent slice of life mystery. I usually figure out 'who done its' within the first 2 or 3 chapters but this one fooled me. "
— Lisa, 11/2/2011" Writing is a gift and John Hart received a double dose. "
— Kathy, 8/15/2011" I loved this book. I just wish Hart would have wrote more into the ending. "
— Stefanie, 6/16/2011" I had a hard time liking the central character, due to his rashness and anger issues. I could identify with none of the characters in the book at all. Plot was more the author's strength. Lots of action and a good mystery, even though I pretty much guessed the "killer". "
— Jane, 5/16/2011" Undoubtedly better than his first! "
— Menofamily, 5/13/2011" you wont be abe to put this book down!! "
— Cara, 5/3/2011" I absolutely love love loved this book. I simply could not put it down. Great book. Excellent writing. I love Hart's prose. Beautiful. Likeable relatable characters, mystery, love, family dynamics. Amazing! Highly recommend. "
— Jessica, 5/2/2011" I received this book as a gift. "
— Pat, 5/2/2011" Have now read all three of Hart's novels and can say that he is getting better with each one of his stories that always involve families and the relationships within. "
— Marge, 4/28/2011" Another great mystery from John Hart "
— Pam, 4/26/2011" After reading "The Last Child" I was ready for something else by John Hart. Again he adds dimension to the mystery with a look at the themes of family and forgiveness. Engaging story. "
— Mary, 4/25/2011" Fast moving tale of a man's ties with a river and his past. Once again, John Hart has written a captivating story of a man who perseveres against all odds of exposing the truth. "
— Nancy, 4/22/2011" So far, real good. When I can't wait to pick up my kindle, then I know I have a good one!<br/><br/>Finished it last night. Had me guessing to the end. I thought I had it all figured out, but I didn't. "
— Amy, 4/12/2011" I was in the mood for a mystery/thriller and this fit the bill. I have read his other books and they keep you entertained with the plot and it's many twists. "
— Rachel, 4/11/2011" Good story, learning the family secrets that contribute to a young man who is returning home. "
— Sue, 4/9/2011" Heavy topics - searching for happiness, what happened in the past and how has it shaped the person. "
— Jeanie, 4/1/2011John Hart is the author of several New York Times bestsellers. He is the only author in history to win the Edgar Award for Best Novel in consecutive years, and he has also won the Barry Award, the Southern Independent Bookseller’s Award for Fiction, the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award, and the North Carolina Award for Literature. His novels have been translated into thirty languages and can be found in more than seventy countries.
Scott Sowers is an actor and audiobook narrator. AudioFile magazine named him the 2008 Best Voice in Mystery and Suspense. He is the winner of seven Earphones Awards.