Woah. That's my only response... woah. I love how the author goes from different times (past vs. present) in order to capture the story. I know that's a tool many authors use but sometimes it just confuses things-- here I felt like it gave the book another layer.

What's great about this book is that it speaks of how far a feeling, an event, or an experience can take us. It just so happens that the past is not where the characters expect it but a constant shadow-ever present awaiting the slightest of triggers to make it's presence known.
The author's way of writing by going through present and past events made this a thrilling read.

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC.

I really liked Fallen Mountains. It easily combined the now and the then for a seamless reading experience. I love small town books, especially ones like this. I would definitely recommend. Thank you Netgalley for the eARC.

This was so good. Such a great debut. Techincally the author has a memoir under her belt, so let’s say fictional debut. Small town stories (and this is very much a small (population around 950) town story, it’s title is the name of one) are conducive to a sort of almost forced intimacy, where lives are interwoven, fates interconnected and secrets seldom properly covered up. And so when the prodigal son of the wealthiest man in town returns only to disappear soon after, it brings up a lot of dirt that’s been resting under various rugs for many years. Transom is charismatic, popular with the ladies, seemingly generous with his old friend…or so it seems. The truth is much darker, the intentions are much less altruistic. But then again he’s walking back into an emotional charged situation, several situations, really, that have been slowly simmering all these years, trapped much like the characters themselves in this tiny microcosm. It can’t be safe, it won’t be safe, when it all boils over. So it’s that kind of a story, very well executed. The author creates a number of complex, realistic, likeable (and some not so much) characters and really draws you in, you become emotionally invested with them so that in the end it’s immensely satisfactory to see each one given a resolution, something very much like closure and a way forward. There is even a strong element of suspense, Transom, after all, has given cause to be hated by more than one person, so there’s a police investigation and, even when you think you know the ending, a very welcome surprise. A very plot appropriate one, a closure moment. It’s just a very well rounded story well told. Although as compelling as the narrative is, this is very much a character driven work, quiet lives of quiet integrities, quiet desperations and small graces to rise above it all. While normally small towns can be sinister in many different ways and genres, this one is well worth an armchair visit. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

What an impressive debut!

I'm a sucker for mystery novels set in a small town with its own hidden secrets, a story line full of unexpected twists and characters that are complicated enough and full of surprises. With her gripping and atmospheric debut novel Kimi Cunningham Grant has really hit the mark.

Trust but verify. Is one of the messages this book delivered. But not only.
Excitingly suspenseful, very good written, with multilayered characters and absolutely unputdownable. I read it literally in one sitting.

Highly recommended!

Usually books set in a sleepy, small town focusing on a small set of characters don't appeal to me. But I have to say that this story proved my previous assumptions completely wrong and I actually really enjoyed this story. It's always good to try something new!

The story follows the disappearance of the wealthy and charismatic Transom Schultz, and moves between the past and present in order to reveal what happened to him. I found these time jumps so well done in this book, sometimes it can be a bit monotonous but in this case it was a perfect way to introduce the other characters, reflect the close knit community and build suspense.

I think one of the most refreshing things for me in this book was the portrayal of small town life and the impact that all of these individuals can have of each others experiences. It wasn't just a straight up mystery or thriller, it had some heart to it and some life lessons.

We're left to wonder what happened to Transom, was it his ex girlfriend whose trying to cover her back? or the town loner who is finally getting his own back? Or most worryingly, his best friend who feels betrayed?
I
don't want to spoil anything in case any of you want to read the book but just know it all comes full circle and the story wraps up in a way that's both believable and tragic - some of my favourite endings are somewhat sad, I wonder what that says about me? I'm not sure!

Thank you #Netgally for letting me read such an amazing book. Simply put, this book has no flaws in it. Although the book is written in a way that it fluctuates between present and past, the author still maintains a smooth flow in terms of storytelling and manages to capture vividly the life and people living in small towns, their hopes, their problems, their secrets, etc. An excellent debut! ❤️

The haunting yet beautiful cover – that’s what drew me to this book, and I don’t regret picking it up.

Transom Shultz—son of the only rich person in the small town of Fallen Mountains—goes missing. Who could be behind his disappearance? Is it his best friend, Chase Hardy, whose farm Transom had bought and damaged irreparably? Is it his ex-girlfriend, Laney? Or is it Thomas Miller, the boy Transom bullied in school? It’s up to Sheriff Red to solve the case, but Red is hiding a secret too.

Grant’s first novel "Fallen Mountains" is brilliant. I could hardly find any fault with this book. True to its cover, where dark clouds can be seen over the horizon, Transom’s disappearance threatens to plunge the lives of Chase, Laney, Red, and Thomas into chaos. The story is gripping from the beginning till the end. Grant uses simple yet apt words to describe vividly the characters, their actions, and even the picturesque scenery. She seamlessly alternates between the past and the present to craft a spellbinding mystery tale.

The beginning is slow. Grant introduces the backstory of every character and builds the suspense gradually. Notwithstanding the slow beginning, I could not leave the book since I wanted to untangle the complex web of secrets and lies. She lifts the fog of mystery gradually, and till the last page, I was on tenterhooks. Further, she has an unusual ability to give voice to every emotion of a character. Throughout the book, she reminds her readers that “the past is never dead.” The haunting unraveling of the mystery coupled with the attention to detail makes it perfect for a reread. Fans of mystery tales and character-driven dramas will love it; however, action-buffs will not like it. Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Great whodunit filled with rich characters and an interesting plot. Grant tells the story in alternating before and after sequences which does a great job of building the tension. She also approaches each of these flawed characters with compassion, allowing the reader to fully see their humanity. No one dimensional characters here. My only complaint was that after the big reveal, there was no epilogue and by then I really cared about the remaining characters and wanted to know what was going to happen to them. Sequel?

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.

I'm shocked to see that this is Kimi Grant's first novel, her writing kept me invested in the story. I love that it is set in a small down where everyone basically knows everyone and everyone knows their secrets.
The son of the only rich party in the town has gone missing and its a mystery of who was behind it. Was it his best friend, ex-girlfriend or the boy he bullied in HS?
The book starts a little slow, but as it goes on, you realized why it started off slow, Grant was laying the foundation and then slowly became building the suspense. Great read and really hard to put down.

This was an enjoyable mystery which takes place in a small rural town. The atmospheric setting and the description of relationships between people of a small town, and between people and the land made this book a great debut novel. The mystery in the book keeps you wanting to read and find out what happens, but it is not an "on the edge of my seat" mystery. The book is well written and the author did a great job in pulling the reader into the story. I've connected with all the characters, but especially Chase...I could feel his emotions and understand how he was connected with the land, and why his relationship with Transom changed so drastically, from brotherly love to dislike and disgust. I would like to read more from this author in the future. Thank you Amberjack Publishing and Netgalley for a great read!

Fallen Mountain is a suspense/thriller that will not let you down. It will keep you guessing right to the end.. Great read. I also like the way the author seamlessly jumped from then and now and between suspects.

Superb. Coming from a small town myself, I love to read books with small town settings and dark secrets. You will not be disappointed with this one. I highly recommend it. The cast of characters will keep you turning the pages. Thanks to Amberjack Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The vivid detail created in this book is amazing! I was hooked from the first chapter. The characters are so well developed, you feel like you're from Fallen Mountains. Even though there are a lot histories from each character given throughout the book, Grant does a wonderful job crafting the characters backstories together to seamless tell one complete tale from multiple angles. I'm a die hard fan of Ron Rash and this novel reminded me of his sometimes southern gothic tales.

An interesting story about growing up and hard times. The people dealing with life and loss. You'll feel with them and for them. This will keep you guessing up till the end.

First off, I have to say that I think my temperature actually rose while I read this book (and I was stuck in my house during a snowstorm when I read it)! The descriptions of the summer heat were very realistic to the point it was almost tangible!

This is a dark, atmospheric, slow-burn, character-driven mystery that takes place in a small town. The characters felt like real people - people you probably would have known if you grew up in a small town.
The story is told in two timelines – before Transom’s disappearance and after. The before part of the story clearly defines who Transom was and exposed all the reasons the other main characters in the story would have either hated him or feared him. Everyone had a reason for wanting Transom out of their lives, but does that mean any of them were responsible for his disappearance? The after part of the story focuses on the sheriff, Red, who is looking for Transom and has his own secrets that are haunting him.

Transom was not a likeable character. Everyone had a reason to dislike or fear him. He is easily the “villain” in this story; however, Transom’s backstory provides a reason, although not an excuse, for some of the things he has done in this life and the way he has treated others. But people tend to remember the bad over any good, and memories are long… particularly in small towns.

You will not know what happened to Transom until the end and it was a very satisfying ending to the story.

This book took me a little longer to read than usual. It really is slow – more narrative than action. But I don’t think this is a bad thing. The story flows like syrup – slow, steady, and even a little sticky, but if you are patient the reward is sweet.

This is an impressive debut novel by the author. I enjoyed it and I would recommend it to anyone that likes stories about small towns, secrets, grudges, and regrets.

Thank you Netgalley and Amberjack Publishing for a free electronic ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fallen Mountains by Kimi Cunningham Grant is a novel based in the mountains of Pennsylvania during modern times and one commonly referred to as "country" or "rural" noir.

The story is told in alternating chapters titled as "Before" and "After" and seeks to tell the tale of the disintegrating friendship of Transom Shultz and Chase Hardy. The two have grown up together, with Transom coming from an unstable home of plenty and Chase a poorer family of quality. The two are more like brothers than friends.

When Transom is reported missing by his fiance to Red, the sheriff, the story goes from there. As Red tries to determine if Transom voluntarily left the small town or is the victim of foul play, the story slowly reveals past secrets haunting each of those involved. Of the main characters, each carries past burdens which could cast suspicions on each one if it is determined Transom has befallen under suspicious circumstances.

Grant's writing is so visually descriptive, with her characters richly developed and slowly flushed out to the reader. Like other successful writers of this genre, Grant also creates characters where their human nature, or lack thereof, is more villainous than that of the wildly exaggerated cartoon-like characters found in too many other novels.

Unfortunately, there is a major plot hole that really needed to be dealt with and one that easily could have been handled. In reading other reviews, it is also surprising this has not been mentioned.

Still, even so, Fallen Mountains is remarkable and highly recommended, especially to readers that enjoy novels by writers such as David Joy, Daniel Woodrell, Brian Panowich, William Gay and Tom Franklin.

"The past was never dead; it was never past. But it didn't have to own you, either. It didn't have to be all you were."

What an impressive debut novel! Alternating between "before" and "after" chapters regarding Transom's disappearance, secrets get unfolded in a dark and moody atmosphere, keeping the suspense until the end. The essence of small town life was captured so well. The writing is simple but sophisticated, it's not really action packed but the mystery tale is unraveled in such an intriguing and gripping way. Smooth pace and flow, very interesting and well written characters. The ending wasn't very climatic (which is why I can't give it the full score) but pleasant and thought-provoking. Transom might have been a total arse but considering Possum's final thoughts, I think he can be sort of forgiven. Sort of.

And can we discuss the cover? Because I love the simple approach, the grudgy and haunting vibe it gives off and the choice of typography? Beautiful!

Fallen Mountains is a small town in Pennsylvania. Here, a man goes missing. The story is told from present working the case and past with crime committed then. There are many motives for the missing man to be missing. The characters all have secrets. The setting is refreshingly different from others books I've read lately. I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue of this story. I recommend if you like mystery with motive. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis/blurb.....

"An intense and engaging portrait of characters driven by—and bound by—the secrets of their pasts . . . an absorbing mystery as well as a gracefully layered story of death and loss in a small town.” —Allen Eskens, USA Today bestselling author of The Life We Bury

When Transom Shultz goes missing shortly after returning to his tightly knit hometown of Fallen Mountains, Pennsylvania, his secrets are not the only ones that threaten to emerge.

Something terrible happened seventeen years ago. Red, the sheriff, is haunted by it. Possum, the victim of that crime, wants revenge. Chase, a former friend of Transom’s, is devastated by his treacherous land dealings. And Laney worries her one thoughtless mistake with Transom could shatter everything she’s built.

As the search for Transom heats up and the inhabitants’ dark and tangled histories unfold, each must decide whether to live under the brutal weight of the past or try to move beyond it. In Fallen Mountains, even loyalty, love, trust, and family can trap you on a path of tragedy.
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My take...

Wow!

I was pretty much sucked into this small town mystery from the get-go. Gripping, intriguing, compelling and at the climax supremely satisfying. I was half-tempted to start reading it again immediately after.

A small cast of characters, each carrying their own secrets, each effected by events of the past, all of them good-hearted people, with maybe one exception - though even he has some admirable traits.

Regret, guilt, loyalty, family, history, conflict, secrets, disappointment, shame, embarrassment, anger, selfishness, love, grief, resentment and more in rural Pennsylvania.

I loved the characters, I loved the setting, I loved how the author made me care about the outcome and what would happen to all those involved. I enjoyed her writing and the past-present flip-flopping of the narrative added to my reading pleasure, more so than if the narrative had been more linear.

All in all a fantastic read and one I'd highly recommend to anyone. I've deliberately refrained from mentioning any events or detail of the characters. Read this book and discover them for yourself. My semi-coherent thoughts do not do this book justice!

5 from 5

Fallen Mountains is Kimi Cunningham Grant's fictional debut. She has an earlier book to her name, a family memoir - Silver Like Dust - which tells the tale of her Japanese-American grandparents interned in the aftermath of Pearl Harbour.

Read in January, 2019
Published - 2019 (out on the 5th March)
Page count - 196
Source - Net Galley
Format - ePub file read on laptop.

https://col2910.blogspot.com/2019/01/kimi-cunningham-grant-fallen-mountains.html

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I found it difficult to initially get into this book but I am very glad I persevered because it ended up being a very enjoyable read. It was a gripping story with just enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I particularly liked the chance to ‘visit’ this part of America and discover how different life is in small and isolated towns such as Fallen Mountains. The characters were almost all endearing and I found myself hoping my favourites weren’t the culprit.

I look forward to the next book by Kimi Cunningham Grant.

Fallen Mountains, Pennsylvania is a small town holding secrets and regrets, memories and things best forgotten. It is made up of family histories and friendships false and true. It’s a small town like any other, and when one of its members goes missing, questions and suspicions are laid bare like the neighboring forests that are being systematically mowed down by outsiders.

Possum, Transom, Chase and sheriff Red all have their family histories and secrets, some of them overlapping. When Transom disappears, Red, ready for retirement, reluctantly must face some of those secrets to get to the bottom of his absence. He must question motives from Transom’s childhood friend, Chase, and his childhood adversary, Possum.

The novel is a character study of how past events and discoveries shaped the viewpoints of these men, and what they did as a result. The writing is excellent; I felt as if I understood where each character was coming from, whether I agreed with him or not. There is suspense throughout the book, and the ending was just as it should have been – painful and perfect.

It’s a pleasure to have started the new year with a book as thoughtfully written as Fallen Mountains. Thanks to NetGalley and Amberjack Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. 5 stars.

The older I get, the more I appreciate main characters that are also of a certain age. Red, the sheriff of Fallen Mountains, is already to hand in his retirement letter. And when Transom Schultz goes missing, he wishes he had already done it. Especially since in his early days as sheriff, Red covered up a crime Transom committed.

Transom had left Fallen Mountains years ago. He returns and starts buying up farms and leasing the mineral rights to gas companies. In addition to the ill will generated by bring in frackers, Transom’s history with others in the community means there are plenty of suspects who could have done him harm. He’s an SOB and he’s pushed several decent people to the end of their ropes. Unlike with a lot of mysteries, I really didn’t have a feel for who could have done it.

This character driven mystery is beautifully written, as you would expect when a Faulkner passage figures prominently into Red’s upbringing. There’s a lot of grief here; a lot of loss. Not just the loss of loved ones, but of a way of life, of innocence.

There’s also a lot about forgiveness and getting beyond one’s anger. The ending was just flat out perfect.

This book reminds you how enjoyable a straightforward mystery can be. Nothing to strain its credibility. I recommend this for readers who like William Kent Krueger.

My thanks to netgalley and Amberjack Publishing for an advance copy of this book.

A very enjoyable book! I am not usually fond of books that switch from past to present, but it worked well in 'Fallen Mountains'. It's a nice easy book to read with great characters, setting and is very well written. i am not going to write what the story is about as i prefer one to read it for themselves, but i do recommend.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy.

Rating: 4.5 stars rounded down to 4 stars

Fallen Mountains is the name of the rural small town in eastern Pennsylvania where this story takes place. It’s also a metaphor for what is happening in this story. The mountains of tradition and long-kept secrets are certainly falling as this story unfolds. Kimi Cunningham Grant has written a gem of a mystery. The locale is almost as much of a character in the story as the humans who populate the rural town.

Transom Shulz has gone missing over an unusually sweltering Memorial Day Weekend. What follows, in alternating chapters of a dual timeline, is what happened before his disappearance, and the investigation that came afterwards.

Most of the story is told from the perspective of Fallen Mountains’ aging sheriff, John Redifer, who goes by the name of ‘Red’. We learn his backstory and the backstory of the main characters and for the most part their stories form a tangled web of small town life interactions. Some of those interactions were uplifting, some of them definitely were not. It turns out that many people in Fallen Mountains would like to see Transom high-tail it out of town again. He was a complicated guy who was used to getting his way by using his brains, or his brawn.

I really enjoyed the literary suspense of the surrounding the hunt to discover what happened to Transom. I also enjoyed the learning about the town of Fallen Mountain, and its unique and relatable cast of characters. The book's ending was a surprise to me, but it seemed so indisputably fitting. That’s the best way for a mystery to end, don’t you think?

‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, Amberjack Publishing; and the author, Kimi Cunningham Grant; for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a wonderful debut novel - haunting, page turning, and a gripping yet beautiful story. With great twists that are completely earned, I couldn't put this down. Highly recommend.

I did not expect this book to draw me in and keep my attention the way it did. This is not my usual genre, well the backwoods part of the story anyways. The story takes place in a very small town, Fallen Mountains in Pennsylvania. Chapters alternate from recent past to present. In the present, farm owner Chase Hardy's grandfather just passed away and he has a huge farm to take care of. His best childhood friend Transom returns to pay his respects but offer to buy the farm. Transom makes a deal with mineral miners who start the fracking process which totally surprises and appalls Chase, being double-crossed by his friend. In the present, Transom has been missing for several days and is reported missing to the local Sheriff, Red, who is just days from retirement. The story is really interesting--how all the people in the small town's lives are intertwined and what each of them really dreams of while showing what they actually have. Wonderful portrayal of this type of life in the country, where farming and factories are what keep people's families going. They all have secrets. I had no idea where Transom was or what happened to me which is the sign of a great book! Definitely worth reading--short and to the point! Dark, gritty and well-written! Great mystery and full of suspense! Thanks so much to NG for the ARC!!!!!

I really enjoyed this story. If you love a small town mystery, add this book to your reading list! This is one of those books where I'll miss the characters because they were so well developed. Kimi did an incredible job creating scenery out of the written word. I particularly enjoyed the ending because, just when you think you know who did it, she hits you with another little twist that makes you think you knew it all along, but not so fast; loved that!

Very intense read indeed. It was everything I imagined it would be and more. Good storyline and interesting characters in there. Highly recommend

Kimi Cunningham Grant's debut novel is centered on the destruction of mountain land by fracking. The characters of the story play out their secrets, pain, and past in a time when small towns are losing their ability to sustain a life they knew in farming.

The lone sheriff, Red, gets a call that Transom Schultz has disappeared. His girlfriend, Teresa, is in a panic because his disappearance this time has been longer than usual. Transom is a creep and always has been, since his schooldays. HIs best friend, Chase, knows this but has to depend on him at a time when he is about to lose the farm, one that has been in the family for generations. He loves the land and will do anything to keep it. Transom offers him a deal that looks as if he may be able to stay on his beloved farm. As with anything Transom does, the deal is too good to be true.

Two other characters play important roles in this tragic story, Laney and Possum. Chase is falling in love with Laney but has a secret that could destroy that possibility and Possum hates Transom more than anything or anyone in his life.

Once you have all the characters lined up, enjoy reading this novel of love, hate, and greed. KCG has a hit on her hand with her first novel.

I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.

I wouldn‘t change a single page because it is a beautifully written story with amazing characters and in my eyes truly perfect. The atmosphere is rather dark unlike the prevailing heat in the story. I loved getting to know the characters und the place because it felt like walking through Fallen Mountains.
The story itself is slow but that worked for me and the ending still got quite exciting because I was never sure what really happend to Transom. I cared about all the characters and wasn‘t ready to find out the truth.

Fallen Mountains by Kimi Cunningham Grant
BLURB~
“When Transom Shultz goes missing shortly after returning to his tightly knit hometown of Fallen Mountains, Pennsylvania, his secrets are not the only ones that threaten to emerge. 
 
Something terrible happened seventeen years ago. Red, the sheriff, is haunted by it. Possum, the victim of that crime, wants revenge. Chase, a former friend of Transom’s, is devastated by his treacherous land dealings. And Laney worries her one thoughtless mistake with Transom could shatter everything she’s built.
 
As the search for Transom heats up and the inhabitants’ dark and tangled histories unfold, each must decide whether to live under the brutal weight of the past or try to move beyond it. In Fallen Mountains, even loyalty, love, trust, and family can trap you on a path of tragedy.”
REVIEW~
I live in a town called Cowpens. No joke. So I know small towns and Grant has done a superb job at giving readers a pretty good idea what life is like living in one. The story is told in parts of BEFORE and AFTER Transom’s disappearance. It was an easy to follow and not confusing at all. The quality of her writing is amazing. I would venture to say flawless. Grant spins a tale so realistically, I was blown away. She has a gripping style of drawing you into the story, the characters, and the secrets.
Perfectly paced, she gradually introduces the characters with an approach that connects you to them and each individual arc. You get to know these characters and their backstories in such a way that you feel attached to them. They are flawed, with both favorable and erroneous characteristics, that are realistically portrayed.
Perplexing at times, because there are so many suspects, the plot is one of mystery, suspense, and intrigue. You are kept suspense until the very satisfying end. I read this book and if life hadn’t have gotten in the way I would’ve read it one sitting. It is utterly fascinating. Grant has masterfully developed a novel that will keep the reader wondering and guessing until the conclusion. 5/5 ⭐️
I was given this book by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This review, or portions thereof, will be posted (when able) on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads, Kobo, IG, FB, Pinterest, Litsy, and my own blog.
Unfortunately, I am unable to provide links to all sites as I am using my phone.
On various sites I am:
Pinterest~ Pinterest.com/katskraps
Barnes & Noble~ Karyl-Ahn-white_7
Litsy~ Karylahn or Karyl White

Wow! This is a very stunning novel! The author very successfully captures the essence of small-town life: how everyone knows you, how secrets can be buried. It’s about
family histories and friendships, regrets, conflict, loyalty, shame, secrets and memories of some things best forgotten. I was impressed with the vivid detail in this book. The characters were so well developed that I felt I knew each one intimately. I was pretty much sucked into this mystery from the very beginning. It was a gripping story with just enough suspense to keep you guessing. Awesome book. Highly recommended. Advance reader copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Amberjack Publishing for this arc.

A very compelling and atmospheric read for me. Great characters, fully developed, some likeable some not so much, but all of them wholly human and understandable. The story starts off with loss and grief and all the repercussions thereof but morphs into a human study of people just trying to cope the best they can in a world they don't fully understand. It bobbles into three different time periods with the characters' histories and the development of the story... 17 years previous, about 6 months previous and current time. While not exactly seamless, it fully explains everyone's motivations and actions. While I wouldn't term this a "feel good" read by any means, the ending was beautifully done leaving a sense of peace with a wisp or two of hope.

I'm definitely hoping for more from the author!
4.5 stars rounded up.

First thing that needs to be said is that I absolutely despised Transom Shultz. Unfortunately, I loved just about every other character in this story. This filled me with an awful dread. I did not want anyone to be caught for "doing Transom in." Sometimes a person just needs a good old fashioned killing....I'd have happily helped this man on his way. I could go on and on about all these people, and their decisions that kept me groaning at their stupid decisions, but I won't. The sheriff? Argh! Possum? Loved him! Oblivious Chase? Dummy. It's a great story, and one I'd recommend.

Red is tired and ready to retire from his job as Sheriff of the town of Fallen Mountains. In fact, it's his last day, or so he thinks. This atmospheric mystery unpacks a lot of history and bad relations in a small town. Told in before and after, it's the story of what happened to Transom Shultz and why. It's the why that's so important. Some people should not go home again and he's one of them. He did something very bad 17 years ago, something which still hangs over Red because of how he dealt with it. He's also done destructive things since he came back. No spoilers- this is a well constructed and nicely written mystery. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.