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The Reservoir: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.01) - 596 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
On an early spring morning in Richmond, Virginia, in the year 1885, a young pregnant woman is found floating in the city reservoir. It appears that she has committed suicide, but there are curious clues at the scene that suggest foul play. The case attracts local attention, and an eccentric group of men collaborate to solve the crime. Detective Jack Wren lurks in the shadows, weaseling his way into the investigation and intimidating witnesses. Policeman Daniel Cincinnatus Richardson, on the brink of retirement, catches the case and relentlessly pursues it to its sorrowful conclusion. As the identity of the girl, Lillie, is revealed, her dark family history comes to light, and the investigation focuses on her tumultuous affair with Tommie Cluverius. Tommie, an ambitious young lawyer, is the pride and joy of his family and the polar opposite of his brother Willie, a quiet, humble farmer. Though both men loved Lillie, it' s Tommie' s reckless affair that thrusts his family into the spotlight. With Lillie dead, Willie must decide how far to trust Tommie, and whether he ever understood him at all. Told through accumulating revelations, Tommie' s story finally ends in a riveting courtroom climax. Based on a true story, The Reservoir centers on a guilty and passionate love triangle composed of two very different brothers and one young, naive girl hiding an unspeakable secret. A novel of lust, betrayal, justice, and revenge, The Reservoir ultimately probes the question of whether we can really know the hearts and minds of others, even of those closest to us.
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"Oh. My. Gosh. I was given this advanced copy book at a workshop John Milliken Thompson gave in Vermont this past weekend, and once I began the book, I couldn't put it down. John began the book as non-fiction, as it's based on a true story of a young 8 month pregnant woman found floating in Richmond, Virginia's reservoir in March of 1885. Mr. Thompson switched to fiction, and it is a page-turner! It makes me want to find the newpaper and court records of the actual events. John's delightful young editor was with him at the Books on the Nightstand event, and the 2 of them were engaging and soooo interesting. I just watched a U-Tube video by John Thompson about The Reservoir which I'd recommend AFTER you read the book...or at least after you've visualized the 2 main characters, Richmond, the reservoir, etc. Google it..and read this book...it's marvelous! Looking forward to visiting with the author at Nightbird Books when he tours this summer here in Fayetteville."
— Jo (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“The Reservoir is a complex first novel that is a simmering blend of Southern tragedy, a love triangle, coming-of-age story, and crime saga.”
— Historical Novels Review -
“An engaging mystery novel rendered as Southern literature.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Historian and debut novelist Thompson mined a treasure trove of documents and background detail for this novel, based on an actual murder and trial set in 1880s Richmond, Virginia…Thompson masterfully illustrates how a seemingly clear-cut case can be filled with ambiguities.”
— Library Journal
Awards
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Selected for the July 2011 Indie Next List
The Reservoir Listener Reviews
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" Held my attention. Enjoyed the author's construction of time and place. "
— Bruce, 2/20/2014 -
" I wanted to read this book after hearing the author read the beginning pages at the National Book Festival in DC. I generally do not like mysteries. I am curious about novels that base themselves in fact and use a novelist's perogative to invent everything that the historian can't know. In this case, there was an awful lot of material that the historian had to work with and it was genuinely interesting. The mystery at the center of the story--the degree of Tommie's involvement/responsibility for Lillie's death--is never fully resolved but the twists and turns of his mind, feelings, rationalizations, memories, and character are given full realization by the author. Brother Will, his opposite and foil in many ways, devotes himself to saving the life of his remaining brother, his third and youngest brother having died as young child largely due to his and Tommie's negligence. It is guilt and how the brothers deal with it that truly informs the novel. "
— Nlimprecht, 2/16/2014 -
" This was a good book based loosely on real life events. I loved the time period and his description of this but there were parts that were long and drawn out and did not give much to the story. Worth a read. "
— Amanda, 2/2/2014 -
" I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't say there was anything special about it. My curiosity was piqued when I saw that it was described in multiple places as a Southern Gothic novel. I still do not know what that means, but now I can say that I've read one. This was a classic mystery/detective story, except that the ending is somewhat unclear. All in all, a fairly good book. "
— Mandy, 2/1/2014 -
" This is based on a true story, something many people do not realize who have read the book. "
— Susan, 1/19/2014 -
" A compelling mystery based on an actual incident. Frustrating that we will never know the truth.... "
— Amy, 12/25/2013 -
" This was interesting because of the local ties, but not very well written. "
— Melissa, 12/11/2013 -
" Great book-the storyline is sad, but it is well written and very engaging! "
— Jessica, 12/10/2013 -
" Interesting book based on an actual occurance in 1885 VA. Leaves the reader wondering and thinking. "
— Mary, 12/30/2012 -
" I loved this book. I love all of the Richmond history. "
— Desiree, 10/8/2012 -
" This post civil-war murder/trial novel, based on a true story, was okay. I felt like I never knew who the accused (Tommie) truly was -- and perhaps that was the point. His older brother, Willie, was a much clearer character. "
— Marjie, 9/23/2012 -
" I'm really unhappy that I will never know if he actually did it!!!!!!! "
— Jzarah, 8/28/2012 -
" Good historical fiction; very entertaining read. "
— Cindy, 7/5/2012
About John Milliken Thompson
John Milliken
Thompson is the author of The Reservoir, America’s Historic Trails, and Wildlands
of the Upper South, as well as the coauthor of The Almanac of
American History. His articles have appeared in Smithsonian, Washington
Post, National Geographic Traveler, and other publications,
and his short stories have been published in Louisiana Literature, South
Dakota Review, and many other literary journals. He has lived in the South
all his life.
About Tom Stechschulte
Tom Stechschulte (1948–2021) was an acclaimed narrator and winner of the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He had been a college athlete and business major when a friend dared him to audition for a play. He got the part and traded the locker room for the dressing room, eventually taking him to New York City and to recording audiobooks.