Michael tied Hannah up and shot her in the eye when they were preteens, an act witnessed by his best friend Patrick. Fast forward a couple of decades, and Patrick and Hannah are married and living in New York City when Michael comes back into Patrick’s life. Suddenly, everything they knew about the event is called into question. Told in flashback and from alternating points of view, the whole story is revealed gradually and inexorably.

Read if: You like not knowing how it’s going to end.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for some more great reading in exchange for honest reviews.

Great read.. Page turning thriller of a ride! Thank you to net galley for an arc.

This book is a very intense read. There are three main characters and they all go back and forth with their stories.. The story is also told in two different time periods. I was absolutely mesmerized by this. The setting is a small town in New York about ninety miles north of New York city. When these three were in middle school there was a terrible incident that tears their friendship apart. When they meet twenty years later things only get worse. I was somewhat disappointed with the ending. I feel there was a lot left unsaid and the reader has to fill in the blanks.. All in all it is still a wonderful book and I highly recommend it.

What an incredible reading experience. I started this on Friday and if it wasn't for basketball practices, two basketball games, a social studies project, and all the last-minute Christmas to do's, I would have finished this in one sitting. I didn't want to tear my eyes away from the pages.

This book begins in 1982 where we find three friends Matthew, Patch, and Hannah in the woods where an incredibly violent crime occurs between them.

Now, in 2008, we find that their paths are yet to cross again and from here through past and present narration we are spun a tale that is as riveting as it is heartbreaking. Considering the things that occur in this novel I figured I'd dislike all of them. Not true, I empathized with every one. Not an easy feat but Yates makes you care. The characters are so fully fleshed out you almost feel as if you know them personally.

This book is incredibly dark at times and the initial violent incident in the woods may not be to everyone's reading pleasure but if you typically like books with dark themes then this is a winner, no doubt.

Needless to say I will devour anything this man writes. All the stars!!!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Review to be posted on Amazon on Pub Day.

At first, I wasn't sure I would like this book, the opening section was pretty horrific. However, I was curious as to what might happen, so I persevered and am glad I did.
It is not as much the story that I liked as it was the tone of the various narrators. There is the usual family stuff that no one wants to see, the stuff that it hidden or lied about while smiling to the neighborhood. And underneath lurks fear, distrust, betrayal and other nasty qualities we don't want to admit to having.
As the characters attempt to navigate the challenges of growing up, dramatically bad things happen that set the tone for the rest of their lives.
While I am not sure sure I liked how the book ended, it was a pleasure to read the erudition of the author and for that, I will look forward to the next book.
There are some cringe-worthy moments, but some really laugh out loud moments as well.

Christopher J. Yates was author unknown to me, but the premise of this book was so intriguing that I had to read it & I'm very glad I did. What a talented author Yates is! Grist Mill Road is a multi-layered, nuanced story that will keep you guessing, break your heart numerous times, and cause you to ponder events in your own life that served as the foundation for later developments. Yates takes his readers back to, alternately, 1982 and 2008. Two friends, Matthew and Patrick ("Patch"), ages 13 and 12, try to find their way through pubescence. Patrick is a follower, Matthew a leader, but a tragedy separates them until 2008 when they are reunited and events unfold quickly. By that time, Patrick has been married for 4 years to Hannah, their young friend who suffered immeasurably and permanently because of the actions of both Patrick and Matthew. Yates employs all three characters as narrators as he skillfully reveals what really happened on that fateful day in the New York woods, and shows how assumptions propelled the three forward until, 26 years later, the inevitable reckoning occurs. Grist Mill Road would make an excellent selection for book clubs because there are a number of provocative, deliberation-inspiring themes ripe for exploration and discussion. Grist Mill Road deserves to be a major best-seller. I can't wait to read more from Yates.

This was such a mixed bag of a reading experience. I haven’t read the author’s debut novel, apparently well received Black Chalk, which apparently has much of the same themes. Now with his sophomore effort the author once again ventures into the familiar territory of past mistakes and ugly secrets that never quite disappear. It’s a dramatic thriller or a thrilling drama about a catastrophically dysfunctional triangle as kids and then quarter of a century later as adults, whose lives are permanently defined by one tragic event. It took me a long time to appreciate the writing style of this novel, something about it just wasn’t working, there was a distance…and then the author did one of my favorite fictional tricks (this is seriously irresistible) and gave three different perspectives on the aforementioned defining event that absolutely made this book. It’s seriously one of the best things about reading, the panopticon option as it were, the ability to see a thing from many different angles, not just the meeting at the crossroads, but each path leading up to it, to understand reasoning in a way it’s nearly impossible to do in real life. So that was great. And then there was a pretty disappointing and slightly odd ending. And that was it. Good read, not a great one, but it did entertain for the most part. Thanks Netgalley.

A good, easy, fast read.....has some unexpected twists. The story is told using different characters point of view, & short, easily managed chapters. The story also spends some (sometimes kind of lengthy) time giving back story that isn't at all suspenseful, but it does give good background! I did enjoy the book, hardly putting it down....so I guess that's good enough!
I received this e-galley from NetGalley in return for my own independent, fair & honest review.

...WOW. Wonderfully written. I love his style of writing. It makes you feel as if you are getting the whole story, hearing all the main character's view points. By the end, they all tied together perfectly. I was trying to figure out "the rest of the story" for the last half of the book and it really helped me finish the book quickly. I never would have expected such an ending and still wonder if maybe Patch lost his mind a little towards the end? I have to be honest, I didn't go into this book knowing I would love it but I certainly know it now! Will be looking into more of thus author's work! I would recommend this book to friends, family, and YOU! :)

Wow, I absolutely LOVED Grist Mill Road by Christopher Yates. I have not read anything from him before but will most definitely be looking out for his future books. I started this yesterday and finished this morning. I could NOT stop reading it. I actually had this one for awhile from Netgalley but I’m not sure what kept me from wanting to read it. The story is told in three parts where you will get the 3 main characters perspective. Grist Mill Road is told in past and present. The story was intense, dark and thrilling. I loved it.
So what’s it about? There is crime that takes place in 1982 between three friends, Matthew, Patch and Hannah. One is sent to prison, another friend is left without an eye and lastly the other is left with guilt. They do not see each other again until their lives cross paths 20years later. Through each perspective you will see how the crime played out through their eyes and how ultimately changed their lives forever. Is what we see actually true? This was a fresh layered story. Secrets, betrayal, lies, etc.
Honestly, I don’t want to put too many details into my review. If you like layered, psychological suspense stories then I highly recommend Grist Mill Road. 5 stars!!! Thank you to Picador for the copy via Netgalley.

While I was initially pulled into the writing and premise of the story with that horrible opening scene, I lost interest several chapters in. I found the structure of the alternating perspectives and timelines coupled with the lack of quotation marks for dialogue to be confusing and I struggled to keep picking the book up. I felt that the constant talk of food and food blogging took away from any tension the story initially had. There seemed to be a lot of filler in this story and ultimately I felt the ending was extremely underwhelming. This book just didn't work for me on any level.

At some point Matthew says, "Truth is seldom a lens, truth is a kaleidoscope, and I have my truth too." And yes, there are so many truths in this novel that it leaves your head spinning (in a good way)! When Matthew was 13, he tied Hannah to a tree and shot her 37 times with his BB gun, leaving her with only one eye. His best friend, Patrick witnessed the attack but froze and did nothing until it was over. Years later Patrick is married to Hannah but there are still secrets buried in both of their pasts. Told from multiple perspectives, this novel has become one of my favorites; the writing is flawless and poignant. With most thrillers, I have the urge to devour in one sitting, but with this one I wanted to put it down and savor as I didn't want it to end; and I wept at the beauty of the final scenes. Now I am of course going to order his first book, Black Chalk. This was an unforgettable read!

Some parts lagged a little for me (I didn't care about the history of concrete, or Matthew's background, although it was sad it was just too much detail for me). I also wasn't a huge fan of the lack of quotation marks. I understand that's an artistic choice but it took a little while to get used to.

I really enjoyed the story and it was very suspenseful. I got through this in just one day because I couldn't wait to see what actually happened on that terrible afternoon. Definitely recommend!

Book Description
Grist Mill Road is a dark, twisted, and expertly plotted Rashomon-style tale. The year is 1982; the setting, an Edenic hamlet some ninety miles north of New York City. There, among the craggy rock cliffs and glacial ponds of timeworn mountains, three friends—Patrick, Matthew, and Hannah—are bound together by a terrible and seemingly senseless crime. Twenty-six years later, in New York City, living lives their younger selves never could have predicted, the three meet again—with even more devastating results.
My Thoughts
This dark thriller grabbed me on page one and didn’t let go. While at first glance, the violent act that changed Hannah, Patrick and Matthew seems straightforward and without room for interpretation, there is much more to the story than meets the eye. What each character saw in the past, what they see now and how their individual perspectives vary provide pieces of the puzzle. What captivated me the most was how Mr. Yates puzzle pieces initially came together showing one picture, then when the puzzle is taken apart and put back together by Hannah, Patrick, and Matthew, a different version emerges. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was happy to discover that this is the author’s second, so I am excited to read Black Chalk, his debut novel. If you are a fan of dark and disturbing tales full of twists and turns I highly recommend Grist Mill Road.
Thank you, Christopher J. Yates, Macmillan-Picador, and NetGalley for the ARC to read and review. It will be a while before I stop thinking about these characters as well as this very talented author.

I was a HUGE fan of Christopher J. Yates debut novel Black Chalk and I have been waiting pretty impatiently for Grist Mill Road for some time. I was worried that it wouldn't live up to the expectations but I needn't have worried as this book is wonderful.

It is a dark, compelling, stark and beautifully written novel. The beginning is both terrifying and chilling but I couldn't turn away from the pages. This is a brutal, nonsensical act that has far-reaching consequences on the protagonists; Patrick, Matthew and Hannah. The characterisation was wonderful with strong and distinctive voices for all three causing the reader to deeply understand these 3 people who are linked forever. They are all messed up, mixed up adults who I felt sympathy for but also disliked at times.

This is a book full of beautiful imagery which tackles some very large issues head on. I was unable to put it down - it was gripping and a wonderful read.

Thankyou for the advanced copy of Grist Mill Road, I will post a full review on my blog nearer publication date which will also be posted on Twitter, Instagram and my Facebook Blog Page. I'll also review on GoodReads and Amazon.

4.5 stars
If you like dark mysteries, this one is for you!

Imagine the early 1980's as a teenager, riding around and exploring on your bike with your friends, just on the cusp of adulthood. Life is good, until a horrible crime takes place and shatters everything you know. One friend loses an eye, another pays the price in prison, and one tries to pretend it never happened.

Now skip ahead 26 years later, and imagine 2 of these friends have somehow ended up married, and the 3rd has just resurfaced in their lives. Intrigued?

Reading this was like peeling back the layers of an onion, slowly, one by one. So many times I thought I had a clue as to what was going on, only to find out I had no flipping idea. I was kept guessing up until the end, and I have to say I loved it!

Some thoughts that ran through my head while reading this:
-Could there be more than one unreliable narrative?
-Who is the one with the secrets, or is it all of them?
-Is someone lying, or do they really not know?

It all comes together in the end like one big explosion, and I enjoyed every minute of it!

ARC provided by NetGalley

I enjoyed his other book better. This one is just as gripping and page turning. Told in alternating viewpoints the story is gripping and compelling but I didn't like it as much as his other one. I will recommend it to my library users.

This book got off to a strong start. Unfortunately around half way through it became boring and seemed to just drag. Overall a just passable read.

Really enjoyed this story! Well written! Looking forward to reading more by this author!

This book is officially one of my favorite books I have had the pleasure of reviewing for NetGalley. The story is told in the first and third person perspectives, which I find I enjoy very much. To add a twist to that, the first person perspectives are told by three different characters. These characters are Partick (Patch, Tricky), Matthew, and Hanna. To add yet another writing twist into the story, the story is set in 2008 and 1982. Yep, all that and a great story also!
Patch, Hanna, and Matthew were schoolmates and friends in 1982. Each came from very different backgrounds. Hanna comes from a wealthy family, Patch comes from a political family, and Matthew comes from a home with an abusive, alcoholic father.
One day in 1982 the unthinkable happens and their lives change. One of them goes to jail, the other moves to another state, and the third is now living with the scars from the tragedy.
Go forward to 2008 when the three "friends" meet again. I am not going to go into the story more than that. You need to read the story to learn all the secrets and twists.
My one and only dislike of this book is the author does not use quotation marks to show when a character is speaking. Fortunately, the author did a great job and I was able to know when I was reading dialogue and who was speaking. I have read other books written in this format and was often confused. It is still a dislike of mine, but I am not taking off stars for this since I did love this book. I am giving a solid 4-star rating. I do not give out many 5-stars, so yeah, I loved this book!