I’ve read all of John Hart’s novels since finding Iron House in the book section at Walmart. I trust his ability to tell a good story and recently won an advanced reading copy of ‘The Unwilling’ through Bookishfirst for an honest review.
‘The Unwilling’ is set in the late sixties. I was nine but can remember a lot of that era. I was witness to the hippies, the drugs, broken homes and families, and the war.
Vietnam was the catalyst. Hippies protested the war using sex and drugs as an escape. Who hasn't heard the term, Make love not war? Families were separated by the draft, and boys were forced to become men, soldiers…and killers.
Jason French was such a man.
His character grabbed me the moment he stepped off the bus. Alone. Despite the fact he had family in this town. My guess is probably not the first time, the first being when he’d returned dishonorably discharged from Vietnam, addicted to heroin, and a major disappointment to his family. A disappointment still felt now, as Jason is released from the state’s most dangerous prison to rejoin society.
His parents, William French, a detective, and wife Gabrielle have convinced themselves that Jason, like their son Robert, died in the war. At least the son they remembered.
They hope to shield their youngest and only son, Gibby from Jason’s bad influence. Gibby- upon graduation will have to make the decision regarding his future. Should he enlist? Would it help his parents understand why each of their sons sacrificed their lives to country over family?
Jason, however, has different ideas. He has sacrificed enough and longs for the connection his only surviving brother represents- a need to share brotherly things with him like fast cars, beers, and women.
I enjoyed watching Jason introduce Gibby to the secret place his twin, Robert had shared with him before going off to war. It was symbolic. The quiet, unbroken lake surrounded by sheltering trees and endless sky. For me, it fused the bond between the brothers- all three of them.
Detective French was weak. Although he claims 20 years experience on the job, a job designed to protect and serve, he blew the opportunity to defend his son. Choosing instead to coddle an unstable wife, and in essence turned his back on Jason. The cop part of him may know how to follow a lead and discover evidence in plain sight, but that only gave the appearance of guilt. Why couldn’t he look deeper, into the heart of a son? Why couldn’t he act on instinct, a paternal one?
Along with all the other aspects of 'The Unwilling' this part of the story hit me the hardest, even over the demented characters of men like Reece, the Warden, and X, the billionaire from Laneworth prison farm with enough money to pull Jason back inside. There is plenty of suspense and intrigue throughout.
But the guilt in this story, in my opinion, rests solely on Detective French. Only Gibby had the strength and heart of family to unravel the gruesome setup of murdered Tyra. It was Gibby who found the courage to face an enemy. Armed with his best friend, Chance, the two launch an investigation to prove Jason’s innocence. And the more they discover, the higher the body count.
Without spoiling the ending, I will say I’m not surprised Jason knew his father so well, and could count on the ultimate betrayal to save his brother’s life.
'The Unwilling' is a story you don’t want to miss. The dramatic scenes and fully developed characters will leave you with an impression of a steamy, journey south, so vivid; you’ll want to crank a window.
And my last impression is an image of a quiet house with two silent people afraid to crack the curtain or answer a phone in case its bad news. Because of that fear, they have lost more than they’ll ever know.
‘The Unwilling’ is set in the late sixties. I was nine but can remember a lot of that era. I was witness to the hippies, the drugs, broken homes and families, and the war.
Vietnam was the catalyst. Hippies protested the war using sex and drugs as an escape. Who hasn't heard the term, Make love not war? Families were separated by the draft, and boys were forced to become men, soldiers…and killers.
Jason French was such a man.
His character grabbed me the moment he stepped off the bus. Alone. Despite the fact he had family in this town. My guess is probably not the first time, the first being when he’d returned dishonorably discharged from Vietnam, addicted to heroin, and a major disappointment to his family. A disappointment still felt now, as Jason is released from the state’s most dangerous prison to rejoin society.
His parents, William French, a detective, and wife Gabrielle have convinced themselves that Jason, like their son Robert, died in the war. At least the son they remembered.
They hope to shield their youngest and only son, Gibby from Jason’s bad influence. Gibby- upon graduation will have to make the decision regarding his future. Should he enlist? Would it help his parents understand why each of their sons sacrificed their lives to country over family?
Jason, however, has different ideas. He has sacrificed enough and longs for the connection his only surviving brother represents- a need to share brotherly things with him like fast cars, beers, and women.
I enjoyed watching Jason introduce Gibby to the secret place his twin, Robert had shared with him before going off to war. It was symbolic. The quiet, unbroken lake surrounded by sheltering trees and endless sky. For me, it fused the bond between the brothers- all three of them.
Detective French was weak. Although he claims 20 years experience on the job, a job designed to protect and serve, he blew the opportunity to defend his son. Choosing instead to coddle an unstable wife, and in essence turned his back on Jason. The cop part of him may know how to follow a lead and discover evidence in plain sight, but that only gave the appearance of guilt. Why couldn’t he look deeper, into the heart of a son? Why couldn’t he act on instinct, a paternal one?
Along with all the other aspects of 'The Unwilling' this part of the story hit me the hardest, even over the demented characters of men like Reece, the Warden, and X, the billionaire from Laneworth prison farm with enough money to pull Jason back inside. There is plenty of suspense and intrigue throughout.
But the guilt in this story, in my opinion, rests solely on Detective French. Only Gibby had the strength and heart of family to unravel the gruesome setup of murdered Tyra. It was Gibby who found the courage to face an enemy. Armed with his best friend, Chance, the two launch an investigation to prove Jason’s innocence. And the more they discover, the higher the body count.
Without spoiling the ending, I will say I’m not surprised Jason knew his father so well, and could count on the ultimate betrayal to save his brother’s life.
'The Unwilling' is a story you don’t want to miss. The dramatic scenes and fully developed characters will leave you with an impression of a steamy, journey south, so vivid; you’ll want to crank a window.
And my last impression is an image of a quiet house with two silent people afraid to crack the curtain or answer a phone in case its bad news. Because of that fear, they have lost more than they’ll ever know.