Group Read - Down River

Here's the thread for discussing Down River by John Hart.

Thanks for starting this thread, Ridgeway. I am about half way through the book, don't want give out spoilers so I won't comment on the book yet.

I finished last night, but it's a re-read for me. I still think it's my favorite of all his books.

I finished it yesterday also. I loved it, and will hold my comments until later. Now I want the brand spanking new book of his that is coming out!

I'll finish today, I think. I'm also reading The Road and so have to have long breaks to sit in despair...

Victoria, I heard Down River described as better than King of Lies because it's less angsty. What do you think?

jonesli, I'm with you in now wanting to read everything else he's written. Unless he blows it all in the last fifty pages.

I haven't read King of Lies since 2008, so it's difficult to remember. My ranking of the two is only a half-star different. I am so glad you both enjoyed it!

I just finished Down River and can now say that I am a big fan of John Hart! This was my first book by this author so I am glad that he has a few more for me to read. Talk about dysfunctional family. He nailed his characters, his descriptions of a small town divided was great, and the book had a great plotline. It dragged a little for me in the middle and I wasn't so fond of Robin, but overall a great read.

Down River was my first John Hart novel. I enjoyed it as well. I agree that there were parts that dragged, but I've read one or two other novels by him since then.

Well, I did not see that ending coming.

The characters in the book were all fantastic, with the notable exception of Robin, who was pretty much there to provide Adam with someone to have sex with and to give him inside information. She never became a real person.

I did really like this book and will read more by John Hart, however, his rural NC was awfully white. It could just have easily been Ohio or Kansas.

Now that everyone is finished..... Kay, you're right, Robin's character was never really developed. As much as I loved King of Lies Down River is just a notch above it. I will be reading his other books at some point.

I did enjoy the leaving me hanging part at the end in reference to Adam mending his relationship with his father. I'm glad that everything wasn't tied up into a nice neat little bow.

I just liked that I was so surprised by whodunit.