Published: August 8th, 2017 by William Morrow Paperbacks
ISBN 0062431862
Paperback, 304 pages
It’s the summer of 1954, and the residents of Cottonwood, California, are dying. At the center of it all is six-year-old Danny McCray, a strange and silent child the townspeople regard with fear and superstition, and who appears to bring illness and ruin to those around him. Even his own mother is plagued by a disease that is slowly consuming her.
Sheriff Jim Kent, increasingly aware of the whispers and rumors surrounding the boy, has watched the people of his town suffer—and he worries someone might take drastic action to protect their loved ones. Then a stranger arrives, and Danny and his ten-year-old brother, Sean, go missing. In the search that follows, everyone is a suspect, and the consequences of finding the two brothers may be worse than not finding them at all.
I must admit that writing reviews for books that you equally like and dislike are mighty difficult since I struggle with writing reviews that don’t just repeat the blurb anyway. The book's plot even from the start was peculiar as the story progressed the plot proceeded to become outrageous at times. Certainly, I love a good thriller therefore in one hand, this plot might be a tad bizarre for some readers while on the other hand, certain readers would find it unique. Consequently, I am still indecisive about which hand I land in though I found it hilarious that the town of Cottonwood, California had one volunteer police officer/sheriff Jim Kent who was a plumber by trade. Indeed that is one crazy combination of careers. As for the quality of the actual writing, Mr. Burley has a specific style all his own. Hence, fitting for the story that was written. Such as, the fact that it took place in the mid-1950’s various unique aspects of that time were mentioned, which I thought was interesting, especially the way the phone system worked, Belladonna was in a medicated cigarette, everyone knew their neighbors, and straight out bigotry towards women in the workplace.
“Ordinarily, I’d have my secretary review the logs with you,” he said. “But I had two operators call in sick today-stomach flu and something else, I don’t remember-and she had to fill in at the switchboard.” He turned to them. “I don’t really understand how a touch of upset stomach is grounds for taking an entire day off, but”-he shrugged his shoulders-you know these girls, calling in at the slightest provocation. No doubt one of them is pregnant, and the other isn’t far off.”
Subsequently, in the book, there are surprises around every corner keeping you on the edge of your seat not knowing what strange subject or possibly monkey could come next. It is a quick, easy read so if it is not your cup of tea not much time was lost. Furthermore, If this is the situation, please don’t leave it to rot in a corner pass it on to someone who could possibly enjoy it! Whereas, if you enjoy the book pass on the knowledge and let me know what you think of it or my review
He was almost back to the porch when a wave of dizziness passed over him. His knees buckled and he pitched forward, caught himself with his hands as he went down on all fours. The gun went off in his right hand...A moment later, he noticed that the tips of both the index and middle finger were missing. He was surprised at how long it took the pain to surface. He left the gun where it was, stood, and climbed the four uneven steps to the porch. One the second one, it hit him an overwhelming agony in the hand that bent him double at the waist.
John Burley worked as a paramedic and firefighter before attending medical school in Chicago and completing an emergency medicine residency at University of Maryland Medical Center and the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. His debut novel, THE ABSENCE OF MERCY, received the National Black Ribbon Award, which recognizes a novelist who brings a fresh voice to suspense writing. His second stand-alone novel, THE FORGETTING PLACE, is available now.
Tour Stops 🌳🌲
Tuesday, August 8th: The Ludic Reader
Wednesday, August 9th: The Book Bag
Thursday, August 10th: No More Grumpy Bookseller
Friday, August 11th: Bewitched Bookworms
Monday, August 14th: From the TBR Pile
Tuesday, August 15th: Kahakai Kitchen
Tuesday, August 15th: SJ2B House Of Books
Wednesday, August 16th: Readaholic Zone
Thursday, August 17th: Tina Says…
Monday, August 21st: Jenn’s Bookshelves
Tuesday, August 22nd: StephTheBookworm
Wednesday, August 23rd: Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile
Wednesday, August 23rd: Art Books Coffee
Thursday, August 24th: A Bookworm’s World
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this book for the tour.
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