Look up the military poem The Unwilling and you will find the synopsis you need for yet another fantastic offering from John Hart. Kevin Stillwell narrates and brings an authentic southern touch to the tense and often horrific atmosphere. As a solo narrator, he easily differentiates between characters both male and female. The story is easy to follow with convenient sections to pause until next you are able to listen.
The Vietnam war is raging, sons are being killed, others are coming back damaged, and yet still more boys are being called by both the government and their own free will. The war is a character within the story of a local policeman, Bill French, his son, Jason, returned from war and just released from a 3-year prison stretch, and his remaining son, Gibby. The story is often told through the eyes of Gibby who has seen his family torn apart due to the loss of yet another brother in Vietnam and Jason's fall from grace in his parent's eyes. But, this story is equally about a horrific serial killer on the loose that is connected to Jason. Bodies are piling up in a most gruesome manner, Gibby is intent on both reconnecting to his brother and saving him from the evidence that continues to pile up.
Hannibal Lecter-like characters run amok in this story which is my only negative. Their reach both from within and beyond the prison walls is a little far reaching for me which is why I gave this a 4 star instead of 5 star review. However, the family dynamic and friendships that Gibby has save it all. The listener should be warned, this book gets graphic in its violence.
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for an early download for review. All opinions are mine.
The Vietnam war is raging, sons are being killed, others are coming back damaged, and yet still more boys are being called by both the government and their own free will. The war is a character within the story of a local policeman, Bill French, his son, Jason, returned from war and just released from a 3-year prison stretch, and his remaining son, Gibby. The story is often told through the eyes of Gibby who has seen his family torn apart due to the loss of yet another brother in Vietnam and Jason's fall from grace in his parent's eyes. But, this story is equally about a horrific serial killer on the loose that is connected to Jason. Bodies are piling up in a most gruesome manner, Gibby is intent on both reconnecting to his brother and saving him from the evidence that continues to pile up.
Hannibal Lecter-like characters run amok in this story which is my only negative. Their reach both from within and beyond the prison walls is a little far reaching for me which is why I gave this a 4 star instead of 5 star review. However, the family dynamic and friendships that Gibby has save it all. The listener should be warned, this book gets graphic in its violence.
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for an early download for review. All opinions are mine.