John Hart - Down River

review by Brian (Biggles) Lowen on show 13th jan 2011
Adam Chase has spent the last 5 years trying to forget his previous life in Rowan County, North Carolina where he was acquitted after being tried for murder. The chief witness for the prosecution was his step-mother and his Father felt that he had to support her in her claim that she had seen him covered in the blood of the victim. So Adam decided to leave his home, his family and his girl friend and start a new life in New York.

Then Adam receives a call from his best friend summoning him home. Within hours of returning, Adam is beaten up, accosted and has to face the hostility of old friends, enemies and the woman he has not stopped loving.

Then people start turning up dead and things look bad for Adam, only recently acquitted of murder – his homecoming does not go well. As the past threatens to overtake him he realises that only he can clear his name as the original murderer was never found.

His best friend has disappeared without telling him why he needed him to come home and his dysfunctional family are no help to him as he sets out to find out what has been going on while he has been away. He does have help from his forgiving girl friend who is now a detective on the local police force but due to her involvement with Adam, she is taken off the investigation into the recent murders.
We follow Adam as he delves into the devious history of his previous friends and family on the Red River Farm in Rowan County.

A good read. An involved story, but easy to follow, with good characters that you get to know well. I enjoyed the story and can recommend the book.
review by Brian