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Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about John Hart's DOWN RIVER.
Amy from Quincy, FL
Have you previously read a book by John Hart?
I have not previously read John Hart, but after this novel I will go
back and read his first, THE KING OF LIES.
What other authors do you usually read?
I read all types, but the authors I mainly read are Tom Clancy, James
Patterson, Harlan Coben, Rosamunde Pilcher, Sue Grafton, James A.
Michener, Herman Wouk, etc. I have a wide variety of different subject
matter I go back and forth with.
What did you think of DOWN RIVER?
This was a very good book; it was frustrating for the main character,
Adam, but it was very insightful and intriguing. Hart delved very well
into the complex characters of Adam's family, and you can identify with
so many areas in your own life. I couldn't put it down!
Would you ever read a future book by John Hart?
Sure. I hope to read his very first book soon.
Bonnie from Muskegon, MI
Have you previously read a book by John Hart?
I'd never read anything by John Hart before (never heard of him, in
fact) and I read an average of two books a week.
What other authors do you usually read?
I read an eclectic list of books from fiction to history to memoirs,
and everything in between.My favorite authors include Barbara
Kingsolver, Hampton Sides, Harlan Coben, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas L.
Friedman, Laurie Notaro, Jen Lancaster, Bill Bryson (I do like to
laugh, hence these three) and Jane Austen. The list is endless.
What did you think of DOWN RIVER?
Terrific book! It caused me to lose much sleep --- the day I received
it I read 25 chapters, then finished it the next day.Truly a
page-turner that I couldn't put down.The story held my
interest.Besides being a crackling mystery, it's a beautiful family
story.The inter-relationships among the various family members and
friends is believable and moves the story along.Adam makes for a real,
honestmain character --- someone who does not have all the answers,
but is still a good man.We root for him all the way.The descriptions
of the area and the settings are remarkable, i.e. “jigsaw shadows",
""the cars bled rust", "houses with plastic-bag windows", etc.It gave
a wonderful sense of time and place.
Would you ever read a future book by John Hart?
I'll definitely look forward to reading other novels by this author.
Bridget from Port Charlotte, FL
Have you previously read a book by John Hart?
Yes, I have read his incredible debut novel, THE KING OF LIES.
What other authors do you usually read?
In this genre, Gayle Lynds, Lee Child, Robert Dugoni and Brad Meltzer.
What did you think of DOWN RIVER?
I knew that I would absolutely love this book. John Hart is such
agifted writer who just doesn't disappoint; DOWN RIVER is a fine
example ofthis author'sincredible talent. I was immediately engrossed
in this book from page one. This story abounds in suspense, unexpected
events, and a climaxthat will blow you away.
Would you ever read a future book by John Hart?
I absolutely would. He is one of thefinest writers in this genre and
he's just getting started.
Carol from Frisco, TX
Have you previously read a book by John Hart?
I knew that Mr. Hart had written THE KING OF LIES, but hadn’t read it
yet. It’s certainly on my "to-read" list now.
What other authors do you usually read?
I read a little of everything: mysteries that are similar to DOWN
RIVER, memoirs, historical fiction (I really liked TAMAR by Mal Peet).
As long as it’s not science fiction, fantasy, or romance, I’ll give it
a try.
What did you think of DOWN RIVER?
I thoroughly enjoyed it. Mr. Hart gave a good sense of place and of the
ties between family, even when those ties are no longer desired. I read
it over two busy days, but I just had to know what happened. I rarely
guess "whodunit" so, not surprisingly, I didn’t guess here. However,
Mr. Hart didn’t cheat; everyone’s actions were in character and the
clues were there for readers more astute than I.
Would you ever read a future book by John Hart?
Definitely. And I’ll read THE KING OF LIES, too.
Cathy from Aldan, PA
Have you previously read a book by John Hart?
No, he's flown under my radar.
What other authors do you usually read?
Dean Koontz, Charles De Lint, F. Paul Wilson, Stephen King, Douglas
Preston and Lincoln Child, James Rolllins/Clemens, Clive Cussler, Clive
Barker, Steve Berry, Jeffery Deaver, and too many more to list.
What did you think of DOWN RIVER?
The book had me from the beginning and was a one-day page turner.I
liked not being sure in the beginning, then trusting Adam, and then
knowing where the story was going but still being surprised at the
twists and turns it took.I could actually see the landscape, the farm
and all the inhabitants, which added to my enjoyment of the
story.Family bonds --- dysfunctional or not ---are strong, and even
when the truth is known and all is said and done, they are still
family. The emotional toll of finding that what you always believed is
not necessarily the case would --- and did --- destroy, where the same
emotions are the saving grace in the end.
Not being anywhere near a critic or any kind of writer, I find it so
hard to put into words, but I would recommend this book to anyone who
enjoys a good mystery. I find myself thinking about it even now ---
the sign of a very good read.
Would you ever read a future book by John Hart?
Oh, yes.
Joan from South Berwick, ME
Have you previously read a book by John Hart?
I have never read anything by John Hart.
What other authors do you usually read?
I usually read John Grisham, James Patterson, David Baldacci, Tess
Gerritsen, Harlan Coben and others.
What did you think of DOWN RIVER?
I really enjoyed reading DOWN RIVER.I found it interesting that Adam
had left his home for five years after being acquitted of a murder
charge.This is a great book about family relationships and secrets.I
would highly recommend it.
Would you ever read a future book by John Hart?
I would definitely read another of Hart's books.
Patty from Clarksville, TN
Have you previously read a book by John Hart?
Yes, I read his bestseller, THE KING OF LIES a few months ago. It was
excellent.
What other authors do you usually read?
I read a lot in all genres, but mystery/suspense is my favorite.I've
read almost everything published byDean Koontz, James Patterson,
Joseph Finder, Dan Simmons, Marilyn Meredith, Marie Ferrarella, Nora
Roberts, Robin Cook, David Baldacci, John Grisham and others.
What did you think of DOWN RIVER?
This is an excellent book.Since I read a lot of mysteries, I'm getting
good at narrowing down the list of possible culprits, but the ending of
this one was a complete surprise.To me, that's one of the marks of an
exceptional storyteller!The many webs he weaves into this story ---
the characters withtheir flaws and strengths, the believability that
is inherent in the storyline, the town, the family, the mystery ---
were so delicately balanced that it really involved me. Mr. Hart is a
gifted author in my mind.
Would you ever read a future book by John Hart?
Definitely yes.
Valerie from Fortuna, CA
Have you previously read a book by John Hart?
Yes, I have read THE KING OF LIES by this author.
What other authors do you usually read?
Pretty complex question; I am an avid reader and read just about
anything except smarmy romance novels.
What did you think of DOWN RIVER?
I think DOWN RIVER is a very good book. I think a lot of people will
be rooting for the protagonist. It is just a great story!
Would you ever read a future book by John Hart?
Yes, I would!
Robert from Olyphant, PA
Have you previously read a book by John Hart?
Yes.
What other authors do you usually read?
James Patterson, Stuart Woods, and Brad Thor.
What did you think of DOWN RIVER?
It was alright, not bad.
Would you ever read a future book by John Hart?
Maybe.
Donald from Sunset Beach, NC
Have you previously read a book by John Hart?
No.
What other authors do you usually read?
Stephen King, David Baldacci, Greg Iles, John Sanford, Jodi Picoult,
and many, many others.
What did you think of DOWN RIVER?
I thought the book read like a screenplay.All of the characters are
drawn with a very fine pen; the conflicts between them are very sharp
and leave no room for moral ambiguity.I kept imagining that I was
seeing this on the big screen.It would probably make a very popular
movie.
Would you ever read a future book by John Hart?
I don't know.I'll have to think about it.
Mildred from Great Neck, NY
Have you previously read a book by John Hart?
This is the first time I have read a book by John Hart.
What other authors do you usually read?
To name a few of the authors I usually read: Jonathan and Faye
Kellerman, Kathy Reichs, John Grisham, Lisa Scottoline, Tess Gerritsen,
Nelson DeMille, James Patterson, etc.
What did you think of DOWN RIVER?
I was a little disappointed in DOWN RIVER. I feel that if the
background of the characters were developed more, the story would have
been more interesting. Mr. Hart does move the story along and keeps you
guessing 'til the end.
Would you ever read a future book by John Hart?
I think this is John Hart's second book. I would give him another try.
I might even look for his first book.
Ray from Selden, NY
Have you previously read a book by John Hart?
No.
What other authors do you usually read?
They are too numerous to list all of them. Favorites include:Stephen
King, George Pelecanos, Dennis Lehane, Donna Leon, Clive Barker,
Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, Michael Connelly, Jeffery Deaver,
Charles Dickens, and John Steinbeck.
What did you think of DOWN RIVER?
Well done.Most of the characters were well drawn out and the suspense
built nicely, without being predictable.I found Hart's writing style
to be very similar to another of my favorite authors, Steve Hamilton.
Would you ever read a future book by John Hart?
Certainly!
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