Helpful Score: 7
Excellent writing for a first book! I enjoyed the development of the characters and the plot with a summer-in-the-south mood and atmosphere. Reminiscent of Turow. Great ending! I never saw it coming, but as a rule I don't figure out the end of books anyway. Dwells a little bit too much on the main character's introspection, but overall, a book I would recommend.
Helpful Score: 6
Here is a new author with his first novel, received to great acclaim. It is not your usual whodunit--while the question of who did it seemingly points to "the obvious one," there are enough twists to keep you guessing till the end, and it is not who you thought it would be. On a different and higher level, it is almost a coming of age of a thirty-something adult. In this case, the protagonist learns truths about himself, his family, his friends, and his enemies as he finally discovered who murdered his father. In doing so, he is set free from the constraints that have hampered him and kept him unfulfilled and without zest for life. The author is a lawyer and writes of what he knows best, with the hero also a lawyer. In my opinion, this writer has a great future.
Helpful Score: 5
This is a can't-put-down book. I stayed up late into the night reading it. A totally different kind of lawyer/murder mystery story, but beautifully written, well-developed characters, some of whom are likable, some of whom aren't. I highly recommend this book.
Helpful Score: 5
An excellent first book by John Hart. Very intriguing with many twists and turns. You won't want to miss this one!
Helpful Score: 4
This book was such a page-turner!Themes of children not living up to their parent's expectations as well sibling devotion.A murder plot that has many twists.It is written by a lawyer but does not get overly technical.I especially loved that it was set in my hometown so I had vivid visuals.This story will make a wonderful movie.
