A Book A Week

At twenty-one, Hardy “Hardly” Reed finds himself at what seems like the pinnacle of his contributions to the world, which, frankly, isn't substantial. He's affable but lacks drive, working a modest job as a scare actor in a local amusement park's haunted western show. Outside of work, he mainly indulges in recreational drugs, drifting through life with little purpose. His tendency to sidestep conflict and temper expectations traces back to his challenging upbringing in the foster care system. This cautious approach to life is one Hardly has no intention of changing.

When he spots two children—a boy and a girl—sitting alone on a city bench, something tugs at him. Upon closer inspection, he notices the familiar marks of cigarette burns on them, scars he knows all too well from his own past. Someone is harming these kids. Despite his inclination to remain unnoticed, Hardly feels compelled to intervene. Even as a woman drives them away, the children linger in his thoughts. He reports the incident to Child Protective Services but faced with an overwhelmed and understaffed system, he doubts his report will make much difference.

While Hardly isn't the most reliable person, this situation feels different. With no one else to advocate for them, he feels responsible for ensuring the children's safety. This unexpected turn of events makes Hardly wonder if this is his true calling or just another letdown in a series of disappointments. Could this be the purpose he's been searching for, or is it another fleeting chapter in his unremarkable life?

Lou Berney, acclaimed for his previous work, November Road, has once again demonstrated his storytelling prowess with Dark Ride. Despite its brevity, the novel packs a powerful punch. Berney introduces us to Hardly, a deeply flawed protagonist driven by an intrinsic sense of justice, even as he grapples with his own place in the world. As Hardly morphs into an amateur sleuth of sorts, his journey is marked by setbacks and small victories, making him a multi-dimensional and riveting character.

Beyond the compelling characters, Berney excels in creating an evocative setting. The world he crafts feels authentic and lived-in, adding depth to an emotionally charged and gritty narrative. Particularly captivating is the abandoned dark ride at Hardly's workplace, which serves as the nerve center for his mission. The juxtaposition of this forgotten, desolate space within a bustling environment adds an intriguing layer to the story.

While Dark Ride delves into dark themes such as child abuse, drug addiction, and violence, it also offers a glimmer of redemption. The narrative sheds light on the shortcomings of systems meant to protect society's most vulnerable, making the novel not just a thrilling read but also a thought-provoking commentary. Berney's latest work is a haunting and resonant story that lingers long after turning the final page.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 26)

S.A. Cosby wowed me with his novel Razorblade Tears. The story about two fathers seeking revenge and redemption over the murder of their gay sons shook me to my core. I vowed to read whatever Cosby came up with next. Luckily for me, I didn't have long to wait. His latest novel All the Sinners Bleed was released last week, and his publisher kindly provided me with the audio version to listen to. The work is filled with contemplations on complex subjects, all wrapped together as a police procedural. In short, it is another must-read novel from this talented author. 

Titus Crowne built a prestigious career in law enforcement. His security expertise saw Titus rise in the ranks of the FBI, proving his ability in the upper echelon of his field. He left the FBI to return to his home in Charon County. An ailing elderly father and troubled younger brother gave Titus plenty to do, but he missed the sense of purpose that came from police work. Soon, he put his hat in the race for Sherrif. To his surprise, Titus won the race and became the first Black sheriff in the county's history. 

One year later, Titus is called to the scene of an ongoing shooting and the local high school. It is every police officer's worst nightmare. Titus expects to find the kind of mass casualty massacre that lace the headlines every week. Instead, he finds a shooter much more focused on his target. A single teacher is murdered before Titus's deputies fire the fatal shot that kills the shooter. In the immediate aftermath, the community mourns the loss of a well-loved teacher. The pastor of the local church decries the death of the young shooter. None of them, though, are prepared for the shocking truths to come out of the investigation. The teacher was a serial child abuser. The murderer was one of his victims turned accomplice. A third, masked accomplice is still at large. Titus will stop at nothing to bring this mysterious figure to justice. 

All the Sinners Bleed sees S.A. Cosby level up as an author in every way and cements his status as one of the most compelling American novelists writing today. The basic setup of the novel is very much in the tradition of classic police procedurals. The form creates a page-turning sense of urgency while allowing Cosby to delve deeper into themes of community, racism, and religion. The fictional setting of Charon County feels as palpable as any southern town I've ever visited. Complete with Confederate sentimentalists, snake-wrangling preachers, and a community divided among racial and generational lines. Cosby transports us to this place through his detailed descriptions and deeply drawn characters. There's conflict both internally and externally that helps to propel this novel to the top of his already stellar collected works. All the Sinners Bleed is the novel of the summer and already stacking up to be one of the best that I've read this year. 

For more information visit the author's website and Goodreads. 

(2023, 30)

Think about the way your parents cared for you as a child. It was their job to keep you safe and help you to grow both mentally and physically. For most of us, that care continues well into adulthood. To this day, my parents will still send me home with a cooler full of food just to "make sure I have enough." There comes a time in life, however, when the roles get reversed. Suddenly the people we've always turned to for advice or a shoulder to lean on become the ones who need the support. In The Final Case, author David Guterson explores a father and son relationship facing this shifting dynamic. 

Our narrator is a middle-aged novelist who hasn't published in many years. His father Royal has been the stalwart head of the family for as long as he can remember. Beyond his place in the family, Royal has enjoyed a decades-long career as a respected lawyer in the community. We meet the characters as the narrator is called to help his father who recently was in a car accident. The incident was the final straw in Royal's life as a driver, and his son has been tasked with driving him to the office. As his father goes about his morning routine, the son begins to see that the world and the profession that his father devoted his life to are moving on from him. Subtle things like the way Royal has a preference for paper memos over emails only prove this point. Moreso, the jobs just aren't lining up like they used to. On this morning, Royal has no prospects whatsoever. He's simply going through the motions of his daily routine. 

To both father and son's surprise, Royal receives a call asking for him to take on a murder case. The defendants and Royal's clients are Delvin and Betsey Harvey. The couple has been charged with the murder of their adoptive daughter Abeba, a child these white Christian parents brought over from Ethiopia. The couple's extreme measures around discipline come to light, and all signs point to their abuse and negligence as causing the girl's death. More concerning perhaps is that the couple has four other children.  As Royal takes on what will become his last case, he must grapple with justice and retribution, all while facing the reality that his relevance in the field that he loves is coming to an end. 

David Guterson is best known as the author of the award-winning novel Snow Falling on the Cedars.  His first novel in over a decade, The Final Case proves his mastery of crafting a moving story across a complex set of themes. At the center of the novel is a reflection on parenthood. The octogenarian lawyer tries to hang onto the last bits of his independence as not only a father but a career professional. The son struggles with becoming the primary caregiver for his aging father while second-guessing his own childless life. Who will be there to care for him when he reaches his father's age? Finally, the family at the heart of the murder trial is being held accountable for their harsh, conservative parenting style that ultimately led to the death of their daughter. Guterson's matter-of-fact way of presenting all of this gives the reader the space we need to contemplate each of the character's motivations. The Final Case is a deceptively straightforward narrative that slowly surrounds you with an emotional heft that will leave you reeling long after the final page. Guterson never tells the reader how to feel or think. Instead, he allows us to draw our own conclusions and judgments. I was moved by the entire experience and thank Guterson's publisher for sending me a copy of the book to review. 

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2021, 9)