I wish to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this raw, powerful, and exquisitely written thriller. This is my 7th book by award-winning novelist John Hart who has been one of my favourite authors. He creates multi-dimensional, often flawed characters, and places them in dire circumstances. He portrays his characters in a manner that gives penetrating glimpses into their minds, hearts, and souls. The reader is kept in suspense and thoroughly engaged in watching them grow in character and hoping they show some heroism and finally redemption. The villains are brutal, deranged, but fascinating. This leads to some graphic scenes of murder and mayhem. I was on the edge of my seat awaiting their fate.

"We the unwilling, led by the unqualified to kill the unfortunate, die for the ungrateful." -unknown soldier

The multi-layered story takes place in the South during the turmoil of the Viet Nam War. It is a mystery, an intense thriller, a study of fractured family dynamics, a coming of age story, the horrors of war and its aftermath, and a disturbing look at prison life. John Hart is a masterful storyteller.

Detective French and his wife had three sons. The twins, Robert and Jason, were the oldest and Gibby was younger. Robert died in Viet Nam. He had been his mother's favourite, and Jason overheard his shattered mother saying she wished it had been Jason who was killed instead of Robert. Jason immediately enlisted and spent three years on active duty in Viet Nam where he was honoured for heroism and was a decorated soldier- until he wasn't. He was sent home with a dishonourable discharge. Hardened and bitter, he became involved with heroin and gun-running bikers. He was incarcerated for almost three years in the notorious Lanseworth Prison for hardened criminals.

Gibby has finished High School and will soon be attending University. After Robert's death, he was overprotected by his mother and missed some life experiences. He was not permitted to date girls or participate in sports. His policeman father became distant and morose. Jason, newly released from prison and living with criminals wants a connection with his younger brother, Gibby. Jason coaxes his young brother to spend a day with him unknown to his parents. It will be a day at the lake with whiskey and a pleasant sunny drive. Jason picks up two older women he knows and brings them along. Tyra becomes very drunk, wild and provocative. They encounter a prison transfer bus. Tyra becomes loud and sexually taunts the prisoners. Her actions cause a riot on the bus. Sara, her roommate is quieter and a follower and more subdued. Gibby takes a liking to Sara. Not long afterwards, Tyra is savagely murdered and mutilated. Jason is suspected of the murder and sent back to prison.

His mother is certain her son is guilty, and the father has only a few doubts. Gibby is determined to prove Jason's innocence, helped by his best friend Chance and his new sweetheart from High School. Their actions are unknown to Gibby's family and to the police force. This leads them into the dangerous world of biker gangs, drug dealers, and gun runners. There is even a greater menace from murderous psychopaths with connections inside the prison. They are under the control and payment of a diabolical, crafty billionaire who is in prison awaiting execution. This man has power over other prisoners and staff and has deadly connections on the outside. Now Sara has gone missing, and Gibby is suspected of abducting and killing her. He and Chance must avoid not only the criminals but also the police.

The action and dread escalate to a pulse-pounding conclusion. Detective French and also Gibby discover what happened to Jason in Viet Nam. What they learn is highly disturbing and based on a real-life, historic military coverup. We learn what happened to Tyra and Sara and why, and the fate of Jason in prison. A closing scene takes place outside the prison where a crowd has gathered to cheer or protest the execution of the evil billionaire inmate on the day he is to die in the gas chamber.
There is much excitement and twists in store for the readers.
I listened to this on an 11-hour audiobook that was enhanced by wonderful narration. Recommended!

I love a good mystery/thriller but tend to stay away from the really dark stuff. About 1/4 in, I thought I'd made a mistake with this one. It's definitely more serial killery than I usually go for. I did get into the story more as it went and characters are fleshed out more. I will say, if you aren't looking for a book with gruesome details, this likely isn't the one for you. It's not terribly gruesome but I would have been fine not hearing so many details. To fully tell this story though, the author I feel did need to go there. Set in the South during the Vietnam War, there's a bit of everything here - family drama, war, young love, setups and yes, more than one serial killer. Overall, it was a good read though I'm not sure I'll be looking for more from this author for myself.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Hart’s historical mystery is set in the deep South during the Vietnam War. The war has been hard on Gibby’s family, one of his brothers was killed in action, the other came back a decorated hero who saw things no human being should ever have to see. Changed forever by his time in Vietnam, Jason has made mistakes at home and spent time in prison; now he wants to get to know his little brother. He and Gibby hit the road with booze and women where they encounter a bus full of prisoners . One of the women with the brothers makes a nasty comment to the prisoners and is later found murdered. Because of his background, Jason is the prime suspect. When the other woman is kidnapped, the police turn their attention to Gibby. It’s up to him to save both himself and his brother, but the journey to prove their innocence will cost Gibby, more dearly than he can imagine. The narrator's "just the facts" delivery is perfect for this novel. Why isn’t John Hart a household name? He is one of the best writers America has produced in the 21st century. If you aren’t reading his books, you need to start