Reviews of Down River, a Novel by John Hart

Everything that shaped him happened near that river.
Now its banks are filled with lies and greed, shame, and murder.

John Hart's debut, The King of Lies, was compelling and lyrical, with Janet Maslin of The New York Times declaring, "There hasn't been a thriller as showily literate since Scott Turow came along." Now, in Down River, Hart makes a scorching return to Rowan County, where he drives his characters to the edge, explores the dark side of human nature, and questions the fundamental power of forgiveness.

Adam Chase has a violent streak, and not without reason. As a boy, he saw things that no child should see, suffered wounds that cut to the core and scarred thin. The trauma left him passionate and misunderstood---a fighter. After being narrowly acquitted of a murder charge, Adam is hounded out of the only home he's ever known, exiled for a sin he did not commit. For five long years he disappears, fades into the faceless gray of New York City. Now he's back and nobody knows why, not his family or the cops, not the enemies he left behind.

But Adam has his reasons.

Within hours of his return, he is beaten and accosted, confronted by his family and the women he still holds dear. No one knows what to make of Adam's return, but when bodies start turning up, the small town rises against him and Adam again finds himself embroiled in the fight of his life, not just to prove his own innocence, but to reclaim the only life he's ever wanted.

Bestselling author John Hart holds nothing back as he strips his characters bare. Secrets explode, emotions tear, and more than one person crosses the brink into deadly behavior as he examines the lengths to which people will go for money, family, and revenge.

A powerful, heart-pounding thriller, Down River will haunt your thoughts long after the last page is turned.

From Bookmarks Magazine
John Hart's 2006 debut, The King of Lies (**** Selection Sept/Oct 2006), earned an Edgar nomination for Best First Novel. Most reviewers agree that his sophomore effort is a worthy successor. The plot moves energetically through interesting terrain: a southern county torn apart by the possibility of easy wealth, a family ruptured by suspicion, and a community that despises the book's protagonist. The New York Times criticized Hart for overblown writing and stale imagery but grudgingly praised the story's vigorous plot and feverish pace. With Down River, Hart garners comparisons to Raymond Chandler, John Grisham, and Scott Turow. This illustrious list should be recommendation enough for most readers.

Cahners.com

Hart surpasses his bestselling debut, The King of Lies (2006), with his richly atmospheric second novel, which offers a tighter plot, more adroit pacing and less angst. Five years earlier, Adam Chase was arrested for murder, largely on the basis of his stepmother's sworn testimony against him. He was acquitted, but nearly everyone, including his father, still thinks he did it, and Adam's deep bitterness has kept him away from home ever since. Now, at the request of a childhood friend, he's back in Salisbury, N.C., where all the old demons still reside and new troubles await. The almost Shakespearean snarl of family ties is complicated by a very modern struggle between economic progress and love for the land, between haves and have-nots. Throughout, Hart expertly weaves his main theme: that by their freedom of choice, humans are capable of betrayal but also of forgiveness and redemption. This book should settle once and for all the question of whether thrillers and mysteries can also be literature. 150,000 first printing; 15-city author tour. (Oct.)

[Page 168]. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

A black sheep's homecoming triggers violence, murder and much sensual heat.Adam Chase returns to his North Carolina home, prompted by a cryptic phone call from old friend Danny Faith, after five years of self-imposed exile in New York. Adam stood trial back then for the murder of local football hero Gray Wilson and, though he was acquitted, his beautiful stepmother Janice testified against him, and much of the town thought he was guilty. Adam thinks often about reconciling with his father Jacob, a hardworking farmer nearing retirement. Danny's out of town, but his father Zebulon shows his ill will toward Adam by helping beat him up. Adam's old girlfriend, Robin, now a cop and nursing a grudge about his abrupt departure, takes him in temporarily. More trouble follows. Grace Shepherd, the teenage daughter of Adam's oldest friend Dolf, is attacked near the river shortly after Adam (on whom she had a childhood crush) talks to her. Adam's half-brother Jamie has a gambling addiction and an alcohol problem, and his half-sister Miriam suffers from suicidal depression. Things hit rock bottom when Adam discovers Danny's partially decomposed body, and Dolf is arrested for his murder. Adam decides he has to solve the crime. A sizable supporting cast of offbeat characters thicken the atmosphere and mystery. Steamy Southern Gothic has much in common with Hart's successful debut (The King of Lies, 2006), but its juicy melodrama often slides into pretentiousness.First printing of 150,000. Agent: Mickey Choate/The Choate Agency Copyright Kirkus 2007 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

JOHN HART was born and raised in North Carolina. He earned degrees in French, Accounting, and Law, but always aspired to write novels. After careers in law and in asset management, John now writes full time. He still makes his home in North Carolina, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.