Helpful Score: 7
Excellent writing for a first book! I enjoyed the development of the characters and the plot with a summer-in-the-south mood and atmosphere. Reminiscent of Turow. Great ending! I never saw it coming, but as a rule I don't figure out the end of books anyway. Dwells a little bit too much on the main character's introspection, but overall, a book I would recommend.
Helpful Score: 6
Here is a new author with his first novel, received to great acclaim. It is not your usual whodunit--while the question of who did it seemingly points to "the obvious one," there are enough twists to keep you guessing till the end, and it is not who you thought it would be. On a different and higher level, it is almost a coming of age of a thirty-something adult. In this case, the protagonist learns truths about himself, his family, his friends, and his enemies as he finally discovered who murdered his father. In doing so, he is set free from the constraints that have hampered him and kept him unfulfilled and without zest for life. The author is a lawyer and writes of what he knows best, with the hero also a lawyer. In my opinion, this writer has a great future.
Helpful Score: 5
An excellent first book by John Hart. Very intriguing with many twists and turns. You won't want to miss this one!
Helpful Score: 5
This is a can't-put-down book. I stayed up late into the night reading it. A totally different kind of lawyer/murder mystery story, but beautifully written, well-developed characters, some of whom are likable, some of whom aren't. I highly recommend this book.
Helpful Score: 4
This book was such a page-turner!Themes of children not living up to their parent's expectations as well sibling devotion.A murder plot that has many twists.It is written by a lawyer but does not get overly technical.I especially loved that it was set in my hometown so I had vivid visuals.This story will make a wonderful movie.
Helpful Score: 3
John Hart's debut novel is a fast paced psychological thriller. It is an engrossing read that deals with the death of an abusive parent, murder, adultery and more. It is well written and has plenty of twists and turns. I look forward to his next book.
Helpful Score: 3
a really great book! I could not put this book down. Very suspenseful.
Helpful Score: 3
The first novel from John Hart was nominated for an Edgar award. It is a suspenseful murder mystery with unpredictable twists and turns. The protagonist (and narrator) is somewhat unlikeable, but overall the book is very entertaining.
Helpful Score: 2
I loved this book. The author reveals information one layer at a time as one might peel an onion. With such a good debut effort, just think what lies ahead for us to devour in the future.
Helpful Score: 2
All the character development of a Scott Turow alng with poetic like writing - a fine first book by John Hart
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent book! I have only recently discovered this NC author and his books are absolutely thrilling! I could not put this book down. This is the first of his three books and the primary character, a lawyer, really struggles to uncover the truth about WHO murdered his father. On the way he finds out truths about himself and his life.
This author, John Hart will keep you guessing until the end. Unlike Grisham- You will not predict the ending! Definately check out his other books, Down River and The Last Child. After reading the last one- I found myself hoping that Mr. Hart is busily writing his next!
This author, John Hart will keep you guessing until the end. Unlike Grisham- You will not predict the ending! Definately check out his other books, Down River and The Last Child. After reading the last one- I found myself hoping that Mr. Hart is busily writing his next!
Helpful Score: 1
This is not simply a mystery/thriller, but also a literate novel about family, love, loyalty, and the conflicts and torments they can cause. Since it's also a page-turner, you get the best of both worlds!
Helpful Score: 1
First novel for this very good writer, John Hart.
King of Lies tells the story of lawyer Jackson Pickens, known to most as "Work" who is barely holding a failing law practice together.
The story takes wings when his father dies and Work stands to inheirit his father's fortune. He becomes a prime suspect, so he begins his own investigation.
Desperate for the redemption that's eluded him for so long, and stripped of all he values, he fights to clear his name and save his emotionally troubled sister. A novel about a murder and its' ripple effect within a community & a family.
King of Lies tells the story of lawyer Jackson Pickens, known to most as "Work" who is barely holding a failing law practice together.
The story takes wings when his father dies and Work stands to inheirit his father's fortune. He becomes a prime suspect, so he begins his own investigation.
Desperate for the redemption that's eluded him for so long, and stripped of all he values, he fights to clear his name and save his emotionally troubled sister. A novel about a murder and its' ripple effect within a community & a family.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved it. Well written, entertaining, very early Grishamlike southern lawyer mystery. If you are looking for a new author, give John Hart a try--you won't be disappointed.
Helpful Score: 1
Jackson Workman Pickens, known to most as "Work", holds together his disintegrating life: a failing law practice left to him when his father, Ezra, mysteriously disappeared, a distant wife who shares their loveless marriage, and an estranged sister who bore the brunt of their childhood trauma. Set to inherit his father's fortune, Work becomes a prime suspect. From the first page to the last, this book is full of turns and twists that simply would not let me put it down. I will be looking for more books by John Hart.
A good read, like most of the book that John Hart writes.
I give this book five stars. John Hart is new to me as a writer, but I will be waiting anxiously for his next book to come out. This was his first book, followed by "Down River" and "Last Child". They are all the types of book that keeps you riveted and are hard to set aside-even for a little while. Hart is a superb storyteller, with small mysteries inside of larger mysteries.His prose will keep you on the edge of your seat and each ending will surprise you. I highly recommend this book and his others to even the most jaded reader. I promise you will like them.
You will want to read this one. His first. Excellent. Will keep you guessing.
Thought the book was very well written-kept you wanting to read. Loved the ending.
This book was great - my second book from John Hart. Good story, kept you guessing, lots of twists and turns -excellent!
I had read "The Last Child" first, then upon LOVING that book, decided to go back and read his others. Now after two books, he has become a favorite author. His books have description and imagery but lots of narrative and dialog. The books tell the story to you as the pages fly by. He reminds me alot of early Grisham, only better. In both of his books that i have read to date, I KNOW who the murderer is... until the end! He has surprised me both times. Love that in a book!
Heading off to read "Down River" now and hoping his 2011 book hurries onto the shelves!
Happy reading!
Heading off to read "Down River" now and hoping his 2011 book hurries onto the shelves!
Happy reading!
This book was better, than "Down River", which was a very well written book, but "The King of Lies" had me hooked from front to back, amazing!!! can't wait to read The Last Child, which I hear is just as mind bending, John Hart is a riviting author, couldn't stop reading "The King Of Lies" from front to back..... Thank you for such good writing.... I do hope that you continue to write.... PLEASE!!!
Curtis Rhodes
Curtis Rhodes
A great page-turner; though, I enjoyed "Down River" by John Hart much better.
This is the second book of John Hart's that I have read and it is very good. He is an excellent writer and knows how to put the reader into the middle of his character's lives. An excellent book by an excellent writer. I will most certainly read everything that he has written.
Jackson Workman Pickens - 'Work' to his friends - is an unambitious lawyer in a small Southern town. He also has some serious baggage. His mother died a year ago in a fall down the family's colonial staircase and his father, Ezra, has been missing ever since.
Work is left to deal with his psychologically damaged sister, his father's legal caseload and his own rocky marriage. Power and greed make many enemies, especially for a man as cruel as Ezra Pickens, so when his body turns up almost everyone in town is considered a suspect - but only one man is charged with the murder! With time, his wife and public opinion against him, Work embarks on his toughest case yet: proving his own innocence. His investigation will uncover a web of intrigue that he couldn't have imagined - and he soon realizes that no one is above suspicion - even those he loves.
I did really enjoy this book, even though, in my opinion, the story could have been wrapped up earlier. I thought it was a good plot with beautiful writing. I give it an A!
Work is left to deal with his psychologically damaged sister, his father's legal caseload and his own rocky marriage. Power and greed make many enemies, especially for a man as cruel as Ezra Pickens, so when his body turns up almost everyone in town is considered a suspect - but only one man is charged with the murder! With time, his wife and public opinion against him, Work embarks on his toughest case yet: proving his own innocence. His investigation will uncover a web of intrigue that he couldn't have imagined - and he soon realizes that no one is above suspicion - even those he loves.
I did really enjoy this book, even though, in my opinion, the story could have been wrapped up earlier. I thought it was a good plot with beautiful writing. I give it an A!
I really enjoyed this mystery. It kept me guessing until almost the very end! The writing was engrossing and I am certainly looking forward to reading his next book. I liked the setting, and Max's character in particular. A simple, but engrossing story.
This is not the type of book that I normally read, but I have to say it was great! I took it to the beach with me, and it was a perfect fast, engaging read. I couldn't put it down.
John Hart's debut novel was far from the reviews on the dust jacket. I found it to drag in many part. I enjoy fast paced books, which this is not. I will give him the benefit of the doubt and read another in hope he improves with age. The story was good, but it just was slow.
A slow start, but once it got going, WOW! It really gets cracking!
A little hard to form an opinion on this book though I certainly enjoyed it. The writing is alternately engaging and plodding. Hart turns a phrase very gracefully and he hides deep meaning in some of his sentences. You can really feel the emotion driving his story of family angst. The plot, however, leaves something to be desired. Yes, his dad was a mean sucker and his sister is a confused, possibly psychotic mess. His wife appears to simply be a bitch. Trouble is, that leaves us wondering what he is? And the paucity of activity throughout leaves us reviewing the same events over and over in a rather whiny manner. Hard to keep sympathy with any of the characters. It is interesting, it is deeper than most novels like this, but still the whole thing left me unsatisfied.
This is the author's first book and it was very good. I read his 3rd book The Last Child which was also very good and that made me want to read more of his writing. I would recommend it to anyone who like's mysteries.
An excellent book - I couldn't put it down. I'll read more of this author.
The is my first experience with this author and it has sent me to the web and library to find other books written by him. From the opening page I was pulled in by his writing style and story. A wonderful mystery and at the same time a great story of family bonds and self- discovery.
A small-town lawyer's midlife crisis is sparked by the discovery of the dead body of his overbearing father. Although told in the first person, the tale gives good background and many interesting stories about other characters. In his search for his father's killer, the narrator uncovers a lot of dirt, human suffering, and neglect in his small town, all while trying to juggle his own affairs and keep himself out of jail as the prime suspect.
A beautiful copy and interesting book.
A beautiful copy and interesting book.
Another murder mysteyr, lawyer story with lots of plot twists. A good read.
Really great read! I finished in 2 days.
This a debut mystery by John Hart. I thought the book was well crafted, especially Hart's description of the after effects a damaged father can leave on his children and other relationships.
I thought the mystery element concerning the death of the father was adequately developed, though I was a bit disappointed in how that aspect was resolved.
Overall, this was a very entertaining effort by a young writer.
I thought the mystery element concerning the death of the father was adequately developed, though I was a bit disappointed in how that aspect was resolved.
Overall, this was a very entertaining effort by a young writer.
A very good who did it book! Just my type of book! I like it when I can't decide who did it, when there are so many suspects to choose from!
Great legal thriller set in NC.
