Michael Koryta continues his stellar writing career with this novel about Rob Barrett, a long-time academic in interrogation techniques, but new to the FBI and field work. He works his first case in the same coastal Maine town where he spent his summers as a youth. After two months working the case, he finally gets a witness to tell the whole story of the murders of a young couple. While Barrett completely believes her, many find it hard to put their trust in a drug-addicted jailhouse snitch, especially when the evidence to support the confession can’t be found or isn’t adding up.
Koryta has always excelled at connecting characters to settings. He continually tests Barrett’s knowledge of the people of Port Hope. Is Rob a ‘local’ because his grandfather owned one of the dive bars in town or will the good old boys circle the wagons? Will interagency politics get in the way of his pursuit? Does he have an in because his on-again, off-again girlfriend is a reporter for the local newspaper? All these questions continue to increase the tension as Barrett tries to track down the killer.
I really enjoyed this novel and the character of Rob Barrett. I have read several of the author’s previous works and look forward to many more. Added props to Koryta for the epigraph from Brian Fallon, one of my favorite musicians.
4 out of 5 stars
Comes out on May 15th, 2018.
Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company, and the author for the advanced copy to review.
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