ONE OF AMAZON'S BEST BOOKS OF OCTOBER 2020!
FINALIST, 2020 GEORGIA AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Linwood Barclay meets Michael Farris Smith in this Southern-set domestic thriller about family, vengeance, and atonement from critically acclaimed Southern mystery novelist Christopher Swann.
The bonds of family never truly let go.
In fact, its grip only tightens the further you try to run: crushing and crippling.
Ethan Faulkner is a precocious child with a brilliant but troublesome sister, a war vet for a father, and a weary mother trying to manage their family. One night a young woman rings their doorbell, desperate to hide from two men who are pursuing her, when one of the two barges in after her. The struggle leaves both of Ethan's parents dead.
Years later, Ethan has a successful teaching career and a budding relationship with a coworker. But he hasn't quite followed through on his promise to his dying father--to take care of his sister. Susannah is not an easy person to keep tabs on, is a handful even when the tabs are kept, and quite frankly, Ethan wants her to suffer for preventing him from getting to his dad before he died all those years ago.
It was a long time ago and Ethan tries to put all of it behind him. But that's easier said than done. When news of a brutal murder breaks with evidence pointing to Ethan as the prime suspect, all the painful memories of his past come rushing to meet him. Lyrically conveyed with emotion and nuance, Never Turn Back is a powerful story about family, vengeance, and how some actions echo through the years with irreparable consequences.
Solidly Paced Mystery. This was a fun romp through Atlanta and North Georgia that starts out seeming like it doesn't really have a point before pivoting in one direction... and then nearly causing whiplash with an out of the blue pivot in a complete other direction still. Really, really fun book that has somewhat of a surprise/ shocking revelation in the last 10% before ending on a much more contemplative note. This was my first book from this author, and if he continues to write these types of tales it certainly won't be my last. Very much recommended.
Reading updates
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Started reading
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9 September, 2020:
Finished reading
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9 September, 2020:
Reviewed