The Unwilling by John Hart is a master class in writing that is so uniquely an American tale. It is considered a crime drama but it is more an honest look at how the choices our country makes has a direct impact on its citizens and often its not a positive one.
The French family is a typical middle class southern family. A devoted wife and mom, a hard working police detective dad and three strapping healthy sons. Then America goes to war in Vietnam. Regardless of your politics there is no denying this war had no real winners and way too many deaths and destruction of lives.
First born son Robert French is killed in Vietnam. Middle son Jason does three tours there and is taught to be a killing machine. He comes home with PTSD and a heroin addiction. Rejected by his family due to his violent behavior he gives three more years of his life in federal prison.
Then there is young high school senior Gibby. Despite his parents being overprotective for obvious reasons he is determined to have a relationship with older brother Jason. A day of rock climbing, swimming, drinking and partying leads to one dead girl, one missing girl, Jason back in jail and Gibby fighting to prove his brother is innocent and has been set up. But by who and why and what does the war have to do with all of it?
As this thrilling mystery crime drama takes us on a whirlwind ride of war atrocities, despicable murder, drug abuse, harsh realistic prison life and then redemption, young love, family bonds and a WTF last page you will be lost in the clarity of words and forget the time and, maybe like me, realize it's 6am and you just stayed up all night and finished this book and want the experience of reading it all over again.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
The French family is a typical middle class southern family. A devoted wife and mom, a hard working police detective dad and three strapping healthy sons. Then America goes to war in Vietnam. Regardless of your politics there is no denying this war had no real winners and way too many deaths and destruction of lives.
First born son Robert French is killed in Vietnam. Middle son Jason does three tours there and is taught to be a killing machine. He comes home with PTSD and a heroin addiction. Rejected by his family due to his violent behavior he gives three more years of his life in federal prison.
Then there is young high school senior Gibby. Despite his parents being overprotective for obvious reasons he is determined to have a relationship with older brother Jason. A day of rock climbing, swimming, drinking and partying leads to one dead girl, one missing girl, Jason back in jail and Gibby fighting to prove his brother is innocent and has been set up. But by who and why and what does the war have to do with all of it?
As this thrilling mystery crime drama takes us on a whirlwind ride of war atrocities, despicable murder, drug abuse, harsh realistic prison life and then redemption, young love, family bonds and a WTF last page you will be lost in the clarity of words and forget the time and, maybe like me, realize it's 6am and you just stayed up all night and finished this book and want the experience of reading it all over again.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.