The unwilling

We know there's always at least two years between John Hart's novels (The Hush, 2018) so you'd think we'd have the sense to pace ourselves a little when we open a new one. But no. As little as 10 pages into The Unwilling, we're galloping forward in the same headlong way we always have. Like his previous six books, this one, set in the Vietnam War--era, is a family novel at its core, but circling out from that core are multiple, tightly wound and well-constructed plot threads, Just released from prison, Jason French--disgraced Vietnam veteran and heroin dealer--plans a day of hanging out with his younger brother, Gibby, who is about to graduate from high school. Events quickly spin out of control, and soon Jason is back in prison, this time for murder, and Gibby is determined to prove his brother's innocence. But beyond that premise is much more: the real story of what happened to Jason in Vietnam, Gibby's troubled coming-of-age under the overprotective thumbs of his parents, and, most of all, there is Prisoner X, the Hannibal Lecter--like genius manipulating the action from his jail cell. Yes, there are wildly disparate parts at play here, but Hart keeps us engaged with all of them, subtly folding quiet, character-driven moments into the story while still powering the narrative toward an all-stops-out ending--and a chilling coda. Remember to breathe after you turn the last page. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Another scorcher from Hart, whose first six novels all were New York Times best-sellers. He's been rolling sevens from the start, so it's no surprise that his seventh book comes up a winner, too.

This subpar novel from bestseller Hart (The Hush) explores the impact of the Vietnam War on a Southern family. While serving as a Marine in Vietnam, Jason French reportedly killed many people, some under suspicious circumstances. After returning stateside a heroin addict, he spent time in prison for violent crimes related to his addiction. Now, in 1972, Jason has come back to his hometown of Charlotte, N.C., and is working to reestablish a relationship with his younger brother, Gibby. Meanwhile, a woman Jason once slept with is murdered as part of a scheme orchestrated by an over-the-top bad guy known as X, who has evidence planted implicating Jason in the murder. A multimillionaire on death row for murder, X can manipulate the prison system and pull strings in the outside world. Convinced of Jason's innocence, Gibby sets out to exonerate him, a mission that coincides with a burgeoning relationship with the most attractive girl in his high school, a clichéd subplot that distracts from Jason's fraught story. Meanwhile, a villain out of a James Bond film undermines plausibility. This gifted author has done better. 150,000-copy announced first printing. Agent: Esther Newberg, ICM. (Feb.)

In 1972, at the height of the Vietnam War, Gibson "Gibby" French is about to graduate from his North Carolina high school. Both of Gibby's older brothers have been to war. Robert was killed in action; Jason returned--but as a shattered man who descended into a life of drugs and violence. After being released from a 27-month prison term, Jason, against the wishes of their parents, seeks to reconnect with Gibby. They spend a day together enjoying some whiskey and the company of two women, Tyra and Sara. But shortly afterward, Tyra is found brutally murdered. Jason is arrested for the crime and sent back to prison. Gibby is determined to prove his brother's innocence, but he must grapple with powerful forces that are targeting Jason. When Sara disappears, Gibby looks to save her and find the true killer. VERDICT Edgar Award-winning Hart (The Hush) offers another propulsive crime novel that features fully realized, multifaceted characters and a strong sense of place. [See Prepub Alert, 11/25/19.]--Andy Northrup, Eugene P.L., OR

A dishonorably discharged Marine returns home, throwing his family into chaos. A family melodrama at first appears to be the center of Hart's latest, a diffuse tale that lacks the drive of his other works. Jason French has just returned to Charleston, South Carolina. After a dishonorable discharge from the Marines, Jason spiraled into drug abuse and landed in prison. Now freed, his presence roils a wounded family. His twin brother, Robert, was killed in Vietnam. Family patriarch William and his wife, Gabrielle (a woefully undeveloped character), determine to keep Jason away from his impressionable younger brother, Gibby, a high school senior. Gibby looks up to Jason, eventually believing his dishonorable discharge was undeserved. Gibby's coming-of-age tale might have focused the story, but it vies with a long lineup of characters, events, and themes trailing through the plot. Family drama morphs into horror story when a convict among a busload of inmates from a state prison farm spots Jason and informs Prisoner X (so named because his real name is Axel, or possibly because he killed 10 men). Worth millions and brutally powerful, X terrorizes prison staff and powerful outsiders into doing his bidding. X shared prison time with Jason and now, for reasons gradually parsed out, wants the ex-Marine back at the prison, so he manipulates his minions to murder a woman Jason knows and frame him for the killing. Fleeing arrest, Jason is captured and sent back to prison. Gibby thereupon determines to clear his brother of murder and learn what was behind Jason's discharge from the Marines (alas, not a very startling reveal). Now the narrative turns into a more traditional police procedural. The case windup adds some much-needed juice to an otherwise slow-moving, colorless narrative, which ends with a chilling kicker. Less would be a lot more. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

*Starred Review* We know there's always at least two years between John Hart's novels (The Hush, 2018) so you'd think we'd have the sense to pace ourselves a little when we open a new one. But no. As little as 10 pages into The Unwilling, we're galloping forward in the same headlong way we always have. Like his previous six books, this one, set in the Vietnam War–era, is a family novel at its core, but circling out from that core are multiple, tightly wound and well-constructed plot threads, Just released from prison, Jason French—disgraced Vietnam veteran and heroin dealer—plans a day of hanging out with his younger brother, Gibby, who is about to graduate from high school. Events quickly spin out of control, and soon Jason is back in prison, this time for murder, and Gibby is determined to prove his brother's innocence. But beyond that premise is much more: the real story of what happened to Jason in Vietnam, Gibby's troubled coming-of-age under the overprotective thumbs of his parents, and, most of all, there is Prisoner X, the Hannibal Lecter–like genius manipulating the action from his jail cell. Yes, there are wildly disparate parts at play here, but Hart keeps us engaged with all of them, subtly folding quiet, character-driven moments into the story while still powering the narrative toward an all-stops-out ending—and a chilling coda. Remember to breathe after you turn the last page. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Another scorcher from Hart, whose first six novels all were New York Times best-sellers. He's been rolling sevens from the start, so it's no surprise that his seventh book comes up a winner, too. Copyright 2020 Booklist Reviews.

After fighting in Vietnam and serving three years in prison, Jason wants to reconnect with younger brother Gibby, so he invites him on an outing with two women and some whiskey. But a disturbing incident leads to the murder of one woman and the kidnapping of the other, and with the brothers as suspects, Gibby must investigate Jason's heroin- and gun-laced past. From the only author to win two best novel Edgars consecutively.

In 1972, at the height of the Vietnam War, Gibson "Gibby" French is about to graduate from his North Carolina high school. Both of Gibby's older brothers have been to war. Robert was killed in action; Jason returned—but as a shattered man who descended into a life of drugs and violence. After being released from a 27-month prison term, Jason, against the wishes of their parents, seeks to reconnect with Gibby. They spend a day together enjoying some whiskey and the company of two women, Tyra and Sara. But shortly afterward, Tyra is found brutally murdered. Jason is arrested for the crime and sent back to prison. Gibby is determined to prove his brother's innocence, but he must grapple with powerful forces that are targeting Jason. When Sara disappears, Gibby looks to save her and find the true killer. VERDICT Edgar Award-winning Hart (The Hush) offers another propulsive crime novel that features fully realized, multifaceted characters and a strong sense of place. [See Prepub Alert, 11/25/19.]—Andy Northrup, Eugene P.L., OR

This subpar novel from bestseller Hart (The Hush) explores the impact of the Vietnam War on a Southern family. While serving as a Marine in Vietnam, Jason French reportedly killed many people, some under suspicious circumstances. After returning stateside a heroin addict, he spent time in prison for violent crimes related to his addiction. Now, in 1972, Jason has come back to his hometown of Charlotte, N.C., and is working to reestablish a relationship with his younger brother, Gibby. Meanwhile, a woman Jason once slept with is murdered as part of a scheme orchestrated by an over-the-top bad guy known as X, who has evidence planted implicating Jason in the murder. A multimillionaire on death row for murder, X can manipulate the prison system and pull strings in the outside world. Convinced of Jason's innocence, Gibby sets out to exonerate him, a mission that coincides with a burgeoning relationship with the most attractive girl in his high school, a clichéd subplot that distracts from Jason's fraught story. Meanwhile, a villain out of a James Bond film undermines plausibility. This gifted author has done better. 150,000-copy announced first printing. Agent: Esther Newberg, ICM. (Feb.)