Down River

“This book should settle once and for all the question of whether thrillers and mysteries can also be literature.” –Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“As in his Edgar-nominated debut, The King of Lies, Hart takes his time, snaring the reader with evocative storytelling and lush prose.” –Boston Globe

“Down River falls squarely in the league of the best of Southern novels.” –South Florida Sun-Sentinel

“A sensitive rumination on the emotional force of family dynamics.” –Washington Post

“There are few books published that can legitimately be called a ‘must-read, ’ but this is one of them.” –Chicago Sun-Times

“An engrossing, bittersweet reading experience that expertly evokes William Faulkner, John Grisham, and John Berendt.” –Mystery Scene

“If you value Harper Lee, James Lee Burke, Truman Capote, and Michael Malone… it’s time to add John Hart to your bookshelves.” –Otto Penzler, New York Sun

“Down River is a beautifully constructed story of personal redemption, family secrets, and murder–a small-town epic…. A truly splendid novel with a deep emotional core.” –Booklist (starred review)

“Hart’s sophomore effort surpasses his debut… this work is reminiscent of Raymond Chandler’s novels…. The writing is simply superb.” –Library Journal (starred review)

“Sometimes, early success can be a curse for a writer….That’s definitely not the case with North Carolina’s John Hart…With Down River…he’s only gotten better.” –Winston-Salem Journal

“Hart’s work invokes the spirit of the best of southern literature. Down River puts readers in the mind of topics explored by Thomas Wolfe, Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner, with a contemporary vision and edge that is memorable and haunting. Hart is a deep and strong talent whose future offerings will be greatly anticipated and welcomed.” –Book Reporter

John Hart is the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Child and The King of Lies. The only author in history to win the best novel Edgar Award for consecutive novels, he has also won the Barry Award and England’s Steel Dagger Award for best thriller of the year. He was born and raised in North Carolina. For a time he practiced criminal defense law, but left to focus on his writing.