On Harrow Hill is a good novel. Until I got to the 60% marker, I thought it was a great novel. The author had, to that point written a really good murder mystery with a very tight plot. But once past 60%,it seems as if he wanted to indulge in some gamesmanship with the reader. He could either have been saying that the reader wasn't able to come up with the true killer (because he hid so many things,) or he simply didn't want his story to end so he showed us how clever he could be in coming up with alternate scenarios. So the last 40% of the book, in my opinion, is the author indulging his ego. Has he not been so intent on the reader concluding that the first suspect was guilty, he could have shifted the sands more adroitly to come up with new information changing the focus of the investigation. All in all, one wonders how a small town like Larchmont could contain such evil among so much wealth, but that's pretty minor to the question of how they could have turned so violent among so much wealth.
Bottom line- the more adroit shift I mentioned would have given the author a chance to keep the novel great.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

This is an excellent addition to the growing series of Dave Gurney novels by John Verdon. Although lacking the suspense and complex puzzle of some of the earlier novels, it nevertheless still holds your interest until the very last page.

On Harrow Hill by John Verdon -- 5 Stars
Publisher: Counterpoint Press
ISBN: 9781640093102

In a small community in upper New York state, a problem resident is struck by lightning and pronounced dead. He appears to have reanimated, killed several people, and left satanic signs and messages painted in blood. The town sheriff, who has his own personal issues, calls on his former NYPD partner, Dave Gurney, for help.

The plot is complex. There are witches, zombie hunters, a zealot who preaches guns and religion, and some sociopathic rich people among the characters. Gurney puts together all the pieces and sorts through the tangled events to eventually uncover the truth just after you think he had about 15% before the ene.

On Harrow Hill is much more than an ordinary police procedural. The twisted intelligent plot and unique characters make it stand out from others in the mystery category. I look forward to reading more books in the Dave Gurney series.


Reviewer: Nancy

Dave Gurney, a modern day Sherlock, is back for his latest investigations from it’s a doozy.
Billy Tate, a bad seed with a worse reputation, is struck by lightning and thrown from the roof an upstate New York church. Pronounced dead on the scene, imagine everyone’s surprise when one Billy Tate is caught on camera rising from the dead at the village funeral home.
Rising from the dead isn’t Tate’s last trick as now he turns his efforts to murdering the town’s wealthiest citizen and leaving a trail of destruction in his path a mile wide.

Dave Gurney, John Verdon’s think-first, speak-last detective is called in to assist. And from there, we’re off to the races in a fun, thrilling, and complex mystery. Before things are said and done, you’ll have suspected every one in the town of some sort of shady business.

Verdon began the Gurney series with some really great mystery hooks with the focus being on the genius of the villains and the wits they matched with Gurney. However, the most recent novels have flexed a more real-world, politically bent muscle. The preceding book, White River Burning, race relations played an important thread throughout. This time he takes on class divides, religious zealotry, and angry mob justice.
The great thing about Verdon’s writing is that you can ignore those underlying themes and just enjoy the mystery as Gurney tracks down his perp or you can really sink your teeth into the messages being hinted. Either way is fine, but the heavier themes never big down the story or the action.
The police procedural game is in great hands with guys like Michael Connelly and John Verdon in mix. I rate this one a must-read for any mystery/thriller fan.

When an old colleague comes to him for help solving the mysterious death of his town's most prominent resident, retired NYPD detective Dave Gurney must use all of his analytical skills to hunt a murderer who just might be killing from beyond the grave.
I have been a huge fan of the Dave Gurney series and waited a long time for this. It was well worth the wait. He is such a complex and compelling character and the plotting in all the books is incredibly tight. Full of surprises and a bit of violence, this book twisted and turned all the way to the end. I really hope the next in this amazing series comes much sooner. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review

It's hard to believe On Harrow Hill is already the 6th entry in the dazzling 'Dave Gurney' series by John Verdon. Thankfully, for readers, the author has been prolific in the decade since this character became a welcomed addition to the world of detective fiction. The cases Gurney handles have always been complex and none more so than depicted in this latest novel. The events which take place in Larchfield almost defy belief. Witches, Satanists. Zombie Hunters. An apocalyptic preacher. A murderer from beyond the grave. It's an explosive mix which threatens to consume Gurney. It's an enthralling read. It left me looking forward to the next Dave Gurney book. Thank you to Counterpoint Press and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy. #OnHarrowHill #NetGalley

Another in this series that has captured my interest and held it till the end. The plot is very good, with Great characters and a lot of suspense.. Throughout the series the author has made me feel that I really know and understand Dave Gurney. He has shown his persistence many times, and I like the way he never gives up. It would be a good read alone but I suggest that reading the series adds to the depth of the story.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Retired police detective Dave Gurney was asked by a friend to help solve a murder of Angus Russell who is one of the richest men in Larchfield. One of their prime suspects was killed the day before Russell died. This book had many twists and turns and kept me guessing until the very end.

On Harrow Hill is possibly the most captivating book yet in the Dave Burney series. A complex, scary, and compelling mystery about the murder of a wealthy and powerful man in a small very upscale community, rivals anything John Verden has written in this exceptional series. Thriller, murder mystery, and downright eerie, this is a winner!