I've been looking forward to reading this one since I won a physical copy in a BookishFirst raffle last year. I read the preview while we were on our last vacation before the pandemic. But, like many planned 2020 releases, COVID impacted the publication date - pushing it back eight months! So I held off, to wait a bit closer to the release date. I've been reading Hart's books for 12 years now - he's a very talented author, and this one is definitely one of his very best books. I really enjoyed it - I could hardly put it down!
Set in North Carolina in 1972, the book centers around the French gamily men. William, a detective, and father to three sons - Robert, the eldest who died in Vietnam, his twin brother, Jason, who served nearly three tours there and Gibson, recently turned 18 who is a thoughtful young man, considering both his future and the state of his broken family.
Although all of the action - and there is plenty of action, as this book is as much plot-driven as character-driven - takes place over a short amount of time. The book still has an epic quality it as pasts are revealed and the time and era seeps off each page. Well-written and riveting, my only complaint is the way the real villain of the story is handled - I wanted more background. The more obvious villain, though, is almost likable, and I wouldn't mind a sequel to this one. I really didn't want this to end! I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to see what Hart will write next!
Set in North Carolina in 1972, the book centers around the French gamily men. William, a detective, and father to three sons - Robert, the eldest who died in Vietnam, his twin brother, Jason, who served nearly three tours there and Gibson, recently turned 18 who is a thoughtful young man, considering both his future and the state of his broken family.
Although all of the action - and there is plenty of action, as this book is as much plot-driven as character-driven - takes place over a short amount of time. The book still has an epic quality it as pasts are revealed and the time and era seeps off each page. Well-written and riveting, my only complaint is the way the real villain of the story is handled - I wanted more background. The more obvious villain, though, is almost likable, and I wouldn't mind a sequel to this one. I really didn't want this to end! I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to see what Hart will write next!