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Dead River
Whenever a body is yet again found along the Choctawhatchee River, the same chaos ensues: newspapers clamor for a front-page story, locals whisper theories over steaming mugs of coffee at Delton Café, and an unknown killer gets away.
This doesn’t faze seventeen-year-old Clayton Thomas. Having suffered a string of personal tragedies, Clay’s only chance to forget his painful past lies within the tangled terrain of the Choctawhatchee River—a place where he can disappear for hours when he’s not caring for his ailing grandpa or stocking shelves at Bart’s Bait ‘N Tackle.
But when he stumbles upon a washed-up body along the riverbank, his worlds collide. Before he can reveal his finding to the police, he meets Scarlett— a snarky girl living alone in a houseboat tucked far away in the swamp. A place that, according to his grandpa’s old fishing map, doesn’t exist.
Scarlett is interesting, mysterious, and quite possibly a little dangerous—everything Clay is not. Even more compelling is his suspicion that she knows more about the body than she’s letting on.
After learning her true identity, it becomes clear that Scarlett’s situation is much more dangerous than Clay ever imagined, and some lawless people from her past will stop at nothing to keep her silent. But as summer days pass with Clay determined to protect her, the danger escalates, and secrets become nearly impossible to hide.
This doesn’t faze seventeen-year-old Clayton Thomas. Having suffered a string of personal tragedies, Clay’s only chance to forget his painful past lies within the tangled terrain of the Choctawhatchee River—a place where he can disappear for hours when he’s not caring for his ailing grandpa or stocking shelves at Bart’s Bait ‘N Tackle.
But when he stumbles upon a washed-up body along the riverbank, his worlds collide. Before he can reveal his finding to the police, he meets Scarlett— a snarky girl living alone in a houseboat tucked far away in the swamp. A place that, according to his grandpa’s old fishing map, doesn’t exist.
Scarlett is interesting, mysterious, and quite possibly a little dangerous—everything Clay is not. Even more compelling is his suspicion that she knows more about the body than she’s letting on.
After learning her true identity, it becomes clear that Scarlett’s situation is much more dangerous than Clay ever imagined, and some lawless people from her past will stop at nothing to keep her silent. But as summer days pass with Clay determined to protect her, the danger escalates, and secrets become nearly impossible to hide.
220 pages, Paperback
Published May 6, 2023
2 people are currently reading
11474 people want to read
About the author
McCaid Paul
8 books149 followersMcCaid Paul is a Southern writer raised in the pines of rural Florida. He is the author of Dead River, Sweet Tea & Snap Peas, Mooch & Marlow, and others. His short works have been published in the Blackwater Review of Northwest Florida State College. When he’s not daydreaming about new stories, you can find him taking long hikes in the woods, fishing for hours at a time on the Choctawhatchee or drinking too much coffee and sweet tea. To learn more, visit him online at mccaidpaulbooks.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @mccaidpaul.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 7, 2024
I wrote this. Hope you enjoy it!
Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnR0D...
Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnR0D...
July 19, 2023
A grueling, atmospheric, story set at a murky swamp, well-rounded characters, and served with a juicy slice of tension. New questions appeared at every twist and turn, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Great job, McCaid! Your thrillers are truly one of a kind!
November 14, 2023
"Less than a mile away, through the dense river jungle of oaks, palmetto, and cypress, lies the Choctawatchee, a source of comfort and a glimpse of home." (pg. 17) - Dead River, McCaid Paul
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While the river pictured in my social media post reviewing this isn't the one from the book in Alabama, the quote is still very fitting. Like the river and its many surrounding areas which are a center piece of McCaid Paul's brilliant novel, Dead River, the Saco River in Saco, Maine is also a river with mysteries and tragedies and stories of its own. And similar to the above quote, the Saco River is truly comforting and a representation of home, of seasons, of work, of play, and of history to the many who live in its bordering neighborhoods and towns.
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In Dead River, we see a young man who seems shy and reserved at first as he gains new experiences and comes face to face with not only the secrets and tragedies which lie hidden by the tree coverage and alligator inhabited waters, but also with his own secrets and regrets and insecurities.
.
When I say that I read this book at lightning speed, I mean it. I've always been a sucker for a good mystery or thriller, and when the writing whisks me away and keeps me turning pages with a desire to know what happens next, I know I've found a true keeper to add to my collection. What made this book even more impressive is that such a young, rising author has such a clear, well developed style and had perfected his craft that it takes many authors a long time to settle into.
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Throughout Dead River, while we see pieces of the story come together with Clay, Scarlett, and supporting characters like Lynn and Ms. Judy, we also see how the female characters play motherly roles to fill a void in Clay's life. We see Clay at the beginning as he seems to stay isolated and knows he needs to avoid trouble, to doing a complete shift and by the end he has found a voice and answers he wasn't expecting. And along side that, Clay also unexpectedly finds companionship and romance and hope for his future that he'd lost by meeting Scarlett and unraveling some of the secrets of the river and their intertwined family members.
.
I'm always in awe of how in just a couple hundred pages, authors can capture the stories and the loss and the love of characters when in real life is can truly take a lifetime to experience what seems so real and possible in books and movies. One of my other favorite quotes that I feel sums things up perfectly about the rivers and this book, and about life, is in the words of Ms. Judy when she says, "Life is messy. Oftentimes things happen that you'd never expect. And that...that was one of them." (Pg. 114) - Dead River, McCaid Paul
.
While the river pictured in my social media post reviewing this isn't the one from the book in Alabama, the quote is still very fitting. Like the river and its many surrounding areas which are a center piece of McCaid Paul's brilliant novel, Dead River, the Saco River in Saco, Maine is also a river with mysteries and tragedies and stories of its own. And similar to the above quote, the Saco River is truly comforting and a representation of home, of seasons, of work, of play, and of history to the many who live in its bordering neighborhoods and towns.
.
In Dead River, we see a young man who seems shy and reserved at first as he gains new experiences and comes face to face with not only the secrets and tragedies which lie hidden by the tree coverage and alligator inhabited waters, but also with his own secrets and regrets and insecurities.
.
When I say that I read this book at lightning speed, I mean it. I've always been a sucker for a good mystery or thriller, and when the writing whisks me away and keeps me turning pages with a desire to know what happens next, I know I've found a true keeper to add to my collection. What made this book even more impressive is that such a young, rising author has such a clear, well developed style and had perfected his craft that it takes many authors a long time to settle into.
.
Throughout Dead River, while we see pieces of the story come together with Clay, Scarlett, and supporting characters like Lynn and Ms. Judy, we also see how the female characters play motherly roles to fill a void in Clay's life. We see Clay at the beginning as he seems to stay isolated and knows he needs to avoid trouble, to doing a complete shift and by the end he has found a voice and answers he wasn't expecting. And along side that, Clay also unexpectedly finds companionship and romance and hope for his future that he'd lost by meeting Scarlett and unraveling some of the secrets of the river and their intertwined family members.
.
I'm always in awe of how in just a couple hundred pages, authors can capture the stories and the loss and the love of characters when in real life is can truly take a lifetime to experience what seems so real and possible in books and movies. One of my other favorite quotes that I feel sums things up perfectly about the rivers and this book, and about life, is in the words of Ms. Judy when she says, "Life is messy. Oftentimes things happen that you'd never expect. And that...that was one of them." (Pg. 114) - Dead River, McCaid Paul
May 8, 2023
In the past I’ve enjoyed his Summersville series and couldn’t wait to check out his newest!
If you’re anything like me when it comes to dark atmospheres then you’ll really love the one in this. It was dark for a small rural town - you can almost picture it as a real place.
McCaid did a great job with making this feel authentic. Because it’s not everyday that you stumble across a washed up body along the river bank. I was fully submerged into the story at that point and couldn’t wait to unveil who the body was and why it ended up there.
Secrets upon secrets get buried and this is true McCaid fashion when it comes to his books. He’s a master at hiding the truth when it’s directly in front of you. SO good I absolutely loved it.
Dead River is perfect for ages 13 +
and it’s finally available now. Make sure to check it out if your looking for a devour-worthy story!
If you’re anything like me when it comes to dark atmospheres then you’ll really love the one in this. It was dark for a small rural town - you can almost picture it as a real place.
McCaid did a great job with making this feel authentic. Because it’s not everyday that you stumble across a washed up body along the river bank. I was fully submerged into the story at that point and couldn’t wait to unveil who the body was and why it ended up there.
Secrets upon secrets get buried and this is true McCaid fashion when it comes to his books. He’s a master at hiding the truth when it’s directly in front of you. SO good I absolutely loved it.
Dead River is perfect for ages 13 +
and it’s finally available now. Make sure to check it out if your looking for a devour-worthy story!
June 25, 2024
My best friend knows I’m a sucker for a good mystery/ thriller book, so she stumbled into the author and his book in my home town bought it for me even got it signed! I AM SO glad for that! The book has descriptions that take you to the banks and river, letting you feel as if you are engulfed by the canopies and streams also at times rushing waters, even if you have never once seen this delicate yet resilient habitat in the Choctawatchee River.
The character development I was pleasantly surprised with women who stand their ground and the uplifting power of what women can do, and the soft sides of men that you typically don’t get. There are still some notes of hero male voices as to “I can save her”.
The beauty of it all, the story line unfolds into a wonderful spiraling sensation as you continuing devouring the authors literature, suspects popping up left and right, secrets being spilled, and some still unknown but even when you think you have some of the story nailed down… trust no one because you don’t know the best hair raising parts!
I absolutely loved this book and will be looking into more by this author. And above all when you finish gorging yourself on this book as I did, please.. PLEASE!!! Read the epilogue as it will leave you hungry for more!
When you read you will understand: Shout out to Big Al 🐊!!
The character development I was pleasantly surprised with women who stand their ground and the uplifting power of what women can do, and the soft sides of men that you typically don’t get. There are still some notes of hero male voices as to “I can save her”.
The beauty of it all, the story line unfolds into a wonderful spiraling sensation as you continuing devouring the authors literature, suspects popping up left and right, secrets being spilled, and some still unknown but even when you think you have some of the story nailed down… trust no one because you don’t know the best hair raising parts!
I absolutely loved this book and will be looking into more by this author. And above all when you finish gorging yourself on this book as I did, please.. PLEASE!!! Read the epilogue as it will leave you hungry for more!
When you read you will understand: Shout out to Big Al 🐊!!
July 11, 2023
LOVED this book! McCaid‘s writing is moody and atmospheric, and I tore through it in a few days. Clay and the rest of the world feels so realistic and rooted in a sort of swampy longing—the kind that smells of dead fish and cigarette butts but also sweet tea and a candle scented of orange peel and baked goods. It’s gritty, it’s angsty, it’s tender. My only criticism is that I wanted it to be longer and perhaps could have benefitted from a slightly slower pace. Gimme more!!
June 13, 2025
McCaid's descriptions are deliciously accurate and undeniably visual: Floating down a dark and foggy river under a cloud of mosquitoes. Barely discernable alligator eyes forewarning you of the buried evil under the murky waters. Angst of a bumpy life shaken with the innocence of a young do-gooder.
The delicately planted clues mixed in well with the life of a young man trying to find his way while caring for an elderly grandpa. I guessed early. I guessed often. And I guess wrong but I love that I guessed the entire way.
Enjoyable easy read. Not your typical mystery but enjoyable nevertheless.
The delicately planted clues mixed in well with the life of a young man trying to find his way while caring for an elderly grandpa. I guessed early. I guessed often. And I guess wrong but I love that I guessed the entire way.
Enjoyable easy read. Not your typical mystery but enjoyable nevertheless.
February 19, 2025
my boyfriend's grandmother told me to read this book so I guess I will....... eventually........
and I did!!!
In the Floridian panhandle, we follow our protagonist, seventeen-year-old Clayton Thomas, as he sells fish from his fishing adventures along the Choctawhatchee River. It's on one of these outings that Clayton finds a dead body and a vulnerable teenage girl alone on a houseboat. Shenanigans ensue.
The good thing about this book is that it's paced extremely well. I tore through this book in two sittings.
Before I get into some of the things I disliked about this book, I want to add a note here that this book is independently published, and that this fact is probably (
most definitely
) why my grievances exist in this book.
Firstly, sometimes while reading this book, stylistic and word choice usage caused me to audibly cackle out loud due to how unserious it was, which is fine if that was the intended impact, but I could very plainly tell that it was not. An example:
"I shift on my foot too fast, and then I'm falling... f a l l i n g..."
Like okay purr mrshealy-irwin-iero.tumblr.com, serve tumblrina!
I am completely aware that this issue may have been eradicated if this was traditionally published (and why I'm not being more harsh and critical in my star rating) but I still wanted to mention it, because it threw off the whole tone of the rest of the book for me.
Another problem I had was that we had a very strong case of author's fiat (a plot device where something that works only because the author says it does. An example of this could be someone who goes around in a bright pink leotard but is a stealth specialist)* in this book.
There is a scene in this book, around page 12, where Clayton is arrested after being pulled over by an officer. The reasoning, you may ask? His passenger had an open container of alcohol, and when Clayton got pulled over, the passenger ran and left the open container.
Something many of you guys may not know about me is that I am currently studying to be a paralegal, and hopefully law school later down the line. As someone interested in law as a career, this sequence of events sounded entirely unrealistic to me. And so I hopped onto LexisNexis and Westlaw and did some research.
Under Florida law, specifically Florida Statutes § 316.1936, it is unlawful for any person to possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage while operating a vehicle or while a passenger in a vehicle being operated in the state. An open container is defined as any container of alcoholic beverage that is immediately capable of being consumed, or the seal of which has been broken. The statute further clarifies that an open container is considered to be in the possession of the operator of a vehicle if the container is not in the possession of a passenger and is not located in a locked glove compartment, locked trunk, or other locked non-passenger area of the vehicle.
If a passenger exits the vehicle in clear view of an officer, leaving behind a liquor bottle, and the driver's blood alcohol content tests negative for alcohol consumption, the driver could still be held liable under the open container law. This is because the open container would be considered in the possession of the driver if it is not in the physical control of a passenger and is not secured in a locked, non-passenger area of the vehicle. The law does not require the driver to have consumed alcohol to be in violation; mere possession of an open container in the vehicle is sufficient for liability.
However, this statute ALSO states that a violation of the open container law (Florida Statutes § 316.1936) is considered a noncriminal traffic infraction. Specifically, the driver would typically receive a ticket rather than be arrested.
The only reason Clayton would be arrested is if the officer had probable cause, such as if Calyton was showing signs of intoxication (which is not the case as written), if Clayton refused to comply with the officer’s instructions or became confrontational (which is not the case as written), or if there were other outstanding legal issues, such as outstanding warrants or driving with a suspended license (which is not the case as written).
Because of this whole snafu, it caused me to devalue the whole book overall and its sequences of events. Even though I had fun, I don't enjoy feeling like I have to double-check the legal basis of your book because something doesn't sound correct.
All that being said, I still had fun with this book. It reminded me of books by Riley Sager and Frieda McFadden (with ALL their many flaws and triumphs), and I think if you are not intimate with legal research, especially Florida-specific legal research, you could have a lot of fun with this book. :)
*Got help explaining from a comment that Satnav left on a "space battles" forum. Link: https://forums.spacebattles.com/threa...
and I did!!!
In the Floridian panhandle, we follow our protagonist, seventeen-year-old Clayton Thomas, as he sells fish from his fishing adventures along the Choctawhatchee River. It's on one of these outings that Clayton finds a dead body and a vulnerable teenage girl alone on a houseboat. Shenanigans ensue.
The good thing about this book is that it's paced extremely well. I tore through this book in two sittings.
Before I get into some of the things I disliked about this book, I want to add a note here that this book is independently published, and that this fact is probably (
Firstly, sometimes while reading this book, stylistic and word choice usage caused me to audibly cackle out loud due to how unserious it was, which is fine if that was the intended impact, but I could very plainly tell that it was not. An example:
"I shift on my foot too fast, and then I'm falling... f a l l i n g..."
Like okay purr mrshealy-irwin-iero.tumblr.com, serve tumblrina!
I am completely aware that this issue may have been eradicated if this was traditionally published
Another problem I had was that we had a very strong case of author's fiat (a plot device where something that works only because the author says it does. An example of this could be someone who goes around in a bright pink leotard but is a stealth specialist)* in this book.
There is a scene in this book, around page 12, where Clayton is arrested after being pulled over by an officer. The reasoning, you may ask? His passenger had an open container of alcohol, and when Clayton got pulled over, the passenger ran and left the open container.
Something many of you guys may not know about me is that I am currently studying to be a paralegal, and hopefully law school later down the line. As someone interested in law as a career, this sequence of events sounded entirely unrealistic to me. And so I hopped onto LexisNexis and Westlaw and did some research.
Under Florida law, specifically Florida Statutes § 316.1936, it is unlawful for any person to possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage while operating a vehicle or while a passenger in a vehicle being operated in the state. An open container is defined as any container of alcoholic beverage that is immediately capable of being consumed, or the seal of which has been broken. The statute further clarifies that an open container is considered to be in the possession of the operator of a vehicle if the container is not in the possession of a passenger and is not located in a locked glove compartment, locked trunk, or other locked non-passenger area of the vehicle.
If a passenger exits the vehicle in clear view of an officer, leaving behind a liquor bottle, and the driver's blood alcohol content tests negative for alcohol consumption, the driver could still be held liable under the open container law. This is because the open container would be considered in the possession of the driver if it is not in the physical control of a passenger and is not secured in a locked, non-passenger area of the vehicle. The law does not require the driver to have consumed alcohol to be in violation; mere possession of an open container in the vehicle is sufficient for liability.
However, this statute ALSO states that a violation of the open container law (Florida Statutes § 316.1936) is considered a noncriminal traffic infraction. Specifically, the driver would typically receive a ticket rather than be arrested.
The only reason Clayton would be arrested is if the officer had probable cause, such as if Calyton was showing signs of intoxication (which is not the case as written), if Clayton refused to comply with the officer’s instructions or became confrontational (which is not the case as written), or if there were other outstanding legal issues, such as outstanding warrants or driving with a suspended license (which is not the case as written).
Because of this whole snafu, it caused me to devalue the whole book overall and its sequences of events. Even though I had fun, I don't enjoy feeling like I have to double-check the legal basis of your book because something doesn't sound correct.
All that being said, I still had fun with this book. It reminded me of books by Riley Sager and Frieda McFadden (with ALL their many flaws and triumphs), and I think if you are not intimate with legal research, especially Florida-specific legal research, you could have a lot of fun with this book. :)
*Got help explaining from a comment that Satnav left on a "space battles" forum. Link: https://forums.spacebattles.com/threa...
February 16, 2023
I loved the dark, immersive southern atmosphere of this book! McCaid is a master of scene setting and tone; I had to discover the secrets of the river and the small rural town, as well as follow Clay’s coming-of-age journey to the very end. Incredibly well wrought!
April 22, 2025
Not to my taste. This book is pretty short, coming at just over 200 pages. If you’re going to write an atmospheric thriller with a lower page count, the prose needs to be tight while still engaging. I didn’t feel like I got to connect with the characters very much, and what we do learn about them is surface level.
May 18, 2023
This was a short easy read that I got through in one sitting. The dark mood and tone that the author sets early on made me want to keep reading. The quick pace also helped this be easily digestible and enjoyable. I found the plot to be easy to understand and kept me on my toes while not being too complicated that it weighed the story down. All the characters were likable and felt real enough. The imagery and descriptions are what make the book for me. They are beautiful, never feel redundant, and paint the picture of the river the book is set on. I’m docking one star for the sometimes unlikeliness of the characters quick, unrealistic decisions and romances that are carried throughout the book. Overall, though, I would read another book from this author and was impressed by dead river.
July 10, 2023
A quick and very enjoyable read!! Satisfying story and ending, even for someone who usually doesn’t reach for thrillers!
June 5, 2023
McCaid Paul's books always ooze with atmosphere and twists that rock you to the core, and Dead River is no different. This book shocks the reader from chapter one, weaving a slow-burn southern mystery that keeps the suspense high until the inevitable climax. The descriptions are vivid, alluring, and gritty (sometimes downright gruesome). The small town of Delton is stuffed full of details and references that fully ground the reader in the weedy river-town. This book has something for everyone: a tense mystery, a fleshed-out and quirky cast, compelling character development, and even a taste of teen romance. While the villain does make themselves known as the story goes on, Paul presents enough shocking turns and red herrings to keep the mystery engaging. Those looking for a tidy ending may find that the conclusion raises almost as many new questions as it answers, but the book does leave readers with a satisfying ending that feels earned.
In Dead River, everyone has their own muddy pasts and dark secrets, leaving the reader wondering who to trust up to the very last page.
In Dead River, everyone has their own muddy pasts and dark secrets, leaving the reader wondering who to trust up to the very last page.
May 16, 2023
McCaid Paul continues to improve as a writer. I've read books that mention the river, but I've never read one that utilized the river setting quite like this one. The twists were excellent, and so was the pacing. I couldn't put it down! While I loved many of the characters, Scarlett was my favorite.
Overall, Dead River is a tension-filled, vividly-written, page-turning read! The twists do not stop coming until the final page. Can't wait to read McCaid's next book!
Overall, Dead River is a tension-filled, vividly-written, page-turning read! The twists do not stop coming until the final page. Can't wait to read McCaid's next book!
March 7, 2025
Such a good storyline. This book has so much potential, I just feel like it needed to be longer. It needed to be more fleshed out so that everything did not feel as sudden and forced upon the reader as it did. The writing is beautiful, but I think a bit more local color in the writing would have also helped this book a lot. The story is awesome, the characters are good, it just needs more detail. And that cliffhanger - goddamn.
July 20, 2023
I purchased this book at Sundog books in Seaside from a local author. This book was a page turner and if you have ever experienced life around a lake or a swamp and enjoy a thriller, I highly recommend this book. I am looking forward to watching this young authors figure works.
September 3, 2023
Very much enjoyed the story! Kept me wanting to read on! Looking forward to reading more of this young author's novels!
August 15, 2024
Unreal! The night scenes had me shivering! The sights, sounds and smells of the swamp were spot on! This was a great thriller from start to finish!
April 21, 2025
Excellent book! Can't wait to read your other books, as well as your new books that have not been published yet!
June 26, 2025
This book started a little slow but it quickly picked up and kept me guessing until the end. Very good.
December 3, 2025
Shortly after starting this book I told my son, "This kid can write." And it's true. Paul is a good writer, regardless of his age.
To me, the story lost its way for a few reasons. First of all, I absolutely despise Scarlett and I thought Clayton would have been wise to steer clear of her. Help her if you can, but then move on with your life.
Secondly, Clayton just showed such poor judgment throughout the book. I know the main character doesn't have to make the same choices that you would in similar circumstances, but some of Clayton's decisions are mind-numbingly stupid and/or irresponsible.
My final frustration with the book was Paul's decision to inject politics into the story by specifically mentioning corrupt Florida Republicans. Why wouldn't he just say they were corrupt politicians without assigning a party to them? I'm an Independent, so I don't have a dog in the fight, but good grief. Insulting Republicans is what King and Hiaasen do in each and every novel. They have a large enough fanbase established where it can be overlooked, but Paul is new and probably should avoid offending half of his readers.
I appreciate the style of his writing and the obvious talent that's present, so I will read another.
To me, the story lost its way for a few reasons. First of all, I absolutely despise Scarlett and I thought Clayton would have been wise to steer clear of her. Help her if you can, but then move on with your life.
Secondly, Clayton just showed such poor judgment throughout the book. I know the main character doesn't have to make the same choices that you would in similar circumstances, but some of Clayton's decisions are mind-numbingly stupid and/or irresponsible.
My final frustration with the book was Paul's decision to inject politics into the story by specifically mentioning corrupt Florida Republicans. Why wouldn't he just say they were corrupt politicians without assigning a party to them? I'm an Independent, so I don't have a dog in the fight, but good grief. Insulting Republicans is what King and Hiaasen do in each and every novel. They have a large enough fanbase established where it can be overlooked, but Paul is new and probably should avoid offending half of his readers.
I appreciate the style of his writing and the obvious talent that's present, so I will read another.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2023
Wow this book was so enjoyable I loved our main character Clayton aka Clay he was such a sweetheart and all I wanted was just to hug him sometimes and tell him everything will be okay and things in your life will work out soon somehow and I loved the relationship Paul and him and Scarlett had I thought they’re both so adorable and I was rooting for them throughout when they met and wanted the best for the two!
The thing I didn’t like about this book even though it was a big book form it did take me a while to get into also I felt the plot wasn’t tricky enough to be a mystery they’re times I didn’t want to guess certain things but I felt like I did and I felt it was slow to get into Clayton so you need to be patient to know him a bit but once you get to know him you’ll love him a lot wanting nothing but the best for Clay
The thing I didn’t like about this book even though it was a big book form it did take me a while to get into also I felt the plot wasn’t tricky enough to be a mystery they’re times I didn’t want to guess certain things but I felt like I did and I felt it was slow to get into Clayton so you need to be patient to know him a bit but once you get to know him you’ll love him a lot wanting nothing but the best for Clay
June 7, 2024
This book was so easy to get sucked into. I simply couldn't put it down! I've lived near the Choctawhatchee all my life, so reading this book with such an emphasis on that setting was very captivating. One thing I particularly enjoyed was the eerie, southern atmosphere. It brought me back to my childhood and made me feel like I was on the banks of the river in the sweltering heat.
Overall, a great, thrilling read! The front cover blurb by Gillian French is spot-on--this book reminded me a lot of both Dennis Lehane and James Lee Burke, with its grittiness, descriptiveness, and overall bleakness. I'd love to see this made into a movie one day. Highly recommend.
Overall, a great, thrilling read! The front cover blurb by Gillian French is spot-on--this book reminded me a lot of both Dennis Lehane and James Lee Burke, with its grittiness, descriptiveness, and overall bleakness. I'd love to see this made into a movie one day. Highly recommend.
July 9, 2023
This is a great southern thriller. I loved the southern atmosphere of this book! McCaid did an excellent job handling risky, complex themes, and writing believable dialogue. The descriptions are gritty and vivid, the mystery is tense and twisty, and the characters are fully fleshed-out, which makes them seem like real people. However, you will wonder who to trust up to the last page, as everyone is hiding their own secrets. Can’t wait for McCaid’s next riveting read!
January 18, 2025
This book was enjoyable. I noticed that during some of the thrilling scenes, I was reading faster and faster. I kept thinking that this would be a great movie! My family grew up around the area mentioned in the book so I could visualize things so easily.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews