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The Ridge
10 hours, 18 minutes
On an isolated ridge in the Kentucky woods stands a homemade lighthouse. Local reporter Roy Darmus has always found it an amusing oddity—until he is selected as the recipient of a suicide note from its builder. Roy enters the bizarre structure to find the walls covered in maps bearing the names of the dead—including his own parents, who were killed in a car accident when he was a boy. Roy soon has a storytelling assignment more daunting than anything he's seen before.
On an isolated ridge in the Kentucky woods stands a homemade lighthouse, hundreds of miles from any substantial body of water. Local reporter Roy Darmus has always found it an amusing oddity—until he is selected as the recipient of a suicide note from its builder. Roy enters the bizarre structure to find the walls covered in maps bearing the names of the dead—including his own parents, who were killed in a car accident when he was a boy. Roy soon has a storytelling assignment more daunting than anything he's seen before: convincing people that an age-old legend has in fact come to life. With haunting atmosphere and a tension-coiled plot, The Ridge is a terrifying journey into the heart of darkness.
On an isolated ridge in the Kentucky woods stands a homemade lighthouse. Local reporter Roy Darmus has always found it an amusing oddity—until he is selected as the recipient of a suicide note from its builder. Roy enters the bizarre structure to find the walls covered in maps bearing the names of the dead—including his own parents, who were killed in a car accident when he was a boy. Roy soon has a storytelling assignment more daunting than anything he's seen before.
On an isolated ridge in the Kentucky woods stands a homemade lighthouse, hundreds of miles from any substantial body of water. Local reporter Roy Darmus has always found it an amusing oddity—until he is selected as the recipient of a suicide note from its builder. Roy enters the bizarre structure to find the walls covered in maps bearing the names of the dead—including his own parents, who were killed in a car accident when he was a boy. Roy soon has a storytelling assignment more daunting than anything he's seen before: convincing people that an age-old legend has in fact come to life. With haunting atmosphere and a tension-coiled plot, The Ridge is a terrifying journey into the heart of darkness.
Audiobook
First published June 8, 2011
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About the author
Michael Koryta
54 books2,526 followersMichael Koryta (pronounced Ko-ree-ta) is the New York Times-bestselling author of 14 suspense novels. His work has been praised by Stephen King, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Dean Koontz, James Patterson, Dennis Lehane, Daniel Woodrell, Ron Rash, and Scott Smith among many others, and has been translated into more than 20 languages. His books have won or been nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Edgar® Award, Shamus Award, Barry Award, Quill Award, International Thriller Writers Award, and the Golden Dagger. They've been selected as "best books of the year" by publications as diverse as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com, O the Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, People, Reader's Digest, iBooks, and Kirkus Reviews.
His recent thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead was named the summer's best thriller by both Amazon and Entertainment Weekly, and was selected as one of the year's best books by more than 10 publications. The audio version was named one of the best audio books of the year, as well, the second time that Robert Petkoff's narration of Michael's work has earned such an honor. The novel is currently being adapted as a major motion picture by 20th Century Fox.
Michael's previous work ranges from a trio of supernatural novels--So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and The Ridge, which were all named New York Times notable books of the year and earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly--to stand-alone crime novels such as The Prophet (A New York Times bestseller) and Envy the Night (selected as a Reader's Digest condensed book), to a series of award-winning novels featuring private investigator Lincoln Perry--Tonight I Said Goodbye, Sorrow's Anthem, A Welcome Grave, and The Silent Hour.
Various film and television adaptations of the books are underway, with The Prophet, So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and Those Who Wish Me Dead all optioned as feature films, and the Lincoln Perry series and The Ridge being developed for television. Michael has written for the screen in both feature film and television. Oscar and Emmy winners are attached to every project.
Before turning to writing full-time, Michael worked as a private investigator and as a newspaper reporter, and taught at the Indiana University School of Journalism. He began working for a private investigator as an intern while in high school, turned it into his day job in the early stages of his writing career, and still maintains an interest in the firm. As a journalist, he won numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Michael's first novel, the Edgar-nominated Tonight I Said Goodbye was accepted for publication when he was 20 years old. He wrote his first two published novels before graduating from college, and was published in nearly 10 languages before he fulfilled the "writing requirement" classes required for his diploma.
Michael was raised in Bloomington, Indiana, where he graduated from Bloomington North High School in 2001, and later graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. In 2008 he was honored as a "distinguished young alumni" by Indiana University, and in 2010 he was named "distinguished alumni' by the criminal justice department.
Michael's passions outside of writing and reading involve a variety of outdoor pursuits - hiking, camping, boating, and fishing are all likely to occupy his free time when he's not working on a new book. Some of his favorite spots in the world are the Beartooth Mountains, the setting of Those Who Wish Me Dead and a place to which he returns at least twice a year; the flowages of the Northwoods in Wisconsin, where he began fishing with his father as a child and still returns each fall; St. Petersburg, FL, and the Maine coast.
His recent thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead was named the summer's best thriller by both Amazon and Entertainment Weekly, and was selected as one of the year's best books by more than 10 publications. The audio version was named one of the best audio books of the year, as well, the second time that Robert Petkoff's narration of Michael's work has earned such an honor. The novel is currently being adapted as a major motion picture by 20th Century Fox.
Michael's previous work ranges from a trio of supernatural novels--So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and The Ridge, which were all named New York Times notable books of the year and earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly--to stand-alone crime novels such as The Prophet (A New York Times bestseller) and Envy the Night (selected as a Reader's Digest condensed book), to a series of award-winning novels featuring private investigator Lincoln Perry--Tonight I Said Goodbye, Sorrow's Anthem, A Welcome Grave, and The Silent Hour.
Various film and television adaptations of the books are underway, with The Prophet, So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and Those Who Wish Me Dead all optioned as feature films, and the Lincoln Perry series and The Ridge being developed for television. Michael has written for the screen in both feature film and television. Oscar and Emmy winners are attached to every project.
Before turning to writing full-time, Michael worked as a private investigator and as a newspaper reporter, and taught at the Indiana University School of Journalism. He began working for a private investigator as an intern while in high school, turned it into his day job in the early stages of his writing career, and still maintains an interest in the firm. As a journalist, he won numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Michael's first novel, the Edgar-nominated Tonight I Said Goodbye was accepted for publication when he was 20 years old. He wrote his first two published novels before graduating from college, and was published in nearly 10 languages before he fulfilled the "writing requirement" classes required for his diploma.
Michael was raised in Bloomington, Indiana, where he graduated from Bloomington North High School in 2001, and later graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. In 2008 he was honored as a "distinguished young alumni" by Indiana University, and in 2010 he was named "distinguished alumni' by the criminal justice department.
Michael's passions outside of writing and reading involve a variety of outdoor pursuits - hiking, camping, boating, and fishing are all likely to occupy his free time when he's not working on a new book. Some of his favorite spots in the world are the Beartooth Mountains, the setting of Those Who Wish Me Dead and a place to which he returns at least twice a year; the flowages of the Northwoods in Wisconsin, where he began fishing with his father as a child and still returns each fall; St. Petersburg, FL, and the Maine coast.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 657 reviews
December 28, 2016
Let’s see, what do we have here?
On a wooded hilltop in the middle of no where, on an isolated ridge, in eastern Kentucky, stands a lighthouse, constantly bathing the surrounding terrain with light.
Lions, tigers, cougars and leopards and all sort of large cats, sixty seven in total, have been relocated to a new rescue center on a large tract of land close to the lighthouse.
Deputy Sherriff Kevin Kimble of Sawyer County (home of the lighthouse and most recently the large cats) has spent year’s now making regular visits to the closest women’s prison, to visit Jacqueline, the woman who shot him. She claims to have no memory of that and apologizes every time he comes. But why does he continue to visit the woman responsible for his injury?
Roy Darmus a local reporter is struggling with how he is going to fill his days, now that the paper has closed its doors, when the phone rings. Wyatt French, the crazy old alcoholic who built and owns the lighthouse is knee deep in his cups and talking suicide while attempting to elicit a promise that Roy will ensure the light stays on and will tell the story. Dammit, now he has no choice. He will have to go out there and see what’s happening.
And what do I love?
Lighthouses - check,
Cats - check,
Mysteries and Thrillers - check,
Red Wine – check.
Wait a minute, what about ghost stories? Oh my - check.
Could it be that Michael Koryta wrote this one just for me? Well done Michael and thank you!
Note: The trade paperback that I have, includes a section immediately following the acknowledgements at the back of the book, about the real cats behind this story. Be sure and read that, it’s wonderful.
Want to see them; www.exoticfelinerescuecenter.org
On a wooded hilltop in the middle of no where, on an isolated ridge, in eastern Kentucky, stands a lighthouse, constantly bathing the surrounding terrain with light.
Lions, tigers, cougars and leopards and all sort of large cats, sixty seven in total, have been relocated to a new rescue center on a large tract of land close to the lighthouse.
Deputy Sherriff Kevin Kimble of Sawyer County (home of the lighthouse and most recently the large cats) has spent year’s now making regular visits to the closest women’s prison, to visit Jacqueline, the woman who shot him. She claims to have no memory of that and apologizes every time he comes. But why does he continue to visit the woman responsible for his injury?
Roy Darmus a local reporter is struggling with how he is going to fill his days, now that the paper has closed its doors, when the phone rings. Wyatt French, the crazy old alcoholic who built and owns the lighthouse is knee deep in his cups and talking suicide while attempting to elicit a promise that Roy will ensure the light stays on and will tell the story. Dammit, now he has no choice. He will have to go out there and see what’s happening.
And what do I love?
Lighthouses - check,
Cats - check,
Mysteries and Thrillers - check,
Red Wine – check.
Wait a minute, what about ghost stories? Oh my - check.
Could it be that Michael Koryta wrote this one just for me? Well done Michael and thank you!
Note: The trade paperback that I have, includes a section immediately following the acknowledgements at the back of the book, about the real cats behind this story. Be sure and read that, it’s wonderful.
Want to see them; www.exoticfelinerescuecenter.org
February 3, 2018
This is a nice mix of supernatural thriller and police story. Plenty of gatekeeper to hell/deal with the devil creepy detail. I loved the cats; many are characters in their own right. I'd like to read more by Michael Koryta.
I'm not sure why so much work went into developing Wes' character, but his prayer was a nice touch. It kept Kino from stealing all his thunder.
The story is set in eastern Kentucky although nothing specifically suggest the location. It could be in any state with mountains in the background and enough rural area for a big cat sanctuary. Local law permitting. It could be Kentucky has changed since lived there. I remember that most counties were dry creating a robust market for drive-thru liquor stories in the few which permitted selling alcohol. Oh well, a general setting should have a broader audience.
I'm not sure why so much work went into developing Wes' character, but his prayer was a nice touch. It kept Kino from stealing all his thunder.
The story is set in eastern Kentucky although nothing specifically suggest the location. It could be in any state with mountains in the background and enough rural area for a big cat sanctuary. Local law permitting. It could be Kentucky has changed since lived there. I remember that most counties were dry creating a robust market for drive-thru liquor stories in the few which permitted selling alcohol. Oh well, a general setting should have a broader audience.
October 11, 2011
5 Stars
This is my second Koryta novel that I have read, Cypress House was my first (I loved that one too). After finishing this novel I feel it is safe to say that Koryta is a masterful storyteller. He breathes life into his words, his settings, and his story. He creates characters that are three dimensional. They are real. They are not carbon copies or cookie cutter cutouts. Most importantly he creates a cast of characters that are memorable.
I am not going to give any spoilers away with this review except to say that this book would sit safely on any bookstore horror shelf. This is a supernatural thriller, no getting around it. It is a ghost story, a murder mystery, and a story about people accepting their place in the world.
A Song from the book that really captures this story called “Lantern”
“ It’s a hungry world out there
Even the wind will take a bite
I can feel the world circling
Sniffing round me in the night
And the lost sheep grow teeth
Forsake the lambs and lie with the lions
So if you got a light, hold it high for me
I need it bad tonight, hold it high for me
‘Cause I’m face-to-face, hold it high for me
In that lonesome place, hold it high for me
With all the hurt that I’ve done, hold it high for me
That can’t be undone, hold it high for me
Light guide me through, hold it high for me
And I’ll do the same for you, hold it high for me…”
Like Cypress Hill, Koryta quickly establishes the setting as a main character in this novel. The woods, the river, the ridge, and the lighthouse, all make up the heart of this spooky read. Koryta does an amazing job at bringing the reader into the woods with his characters. You could almost smell the flowers, feel the breeze, and that flash of light from outside, maybe that came from the lighthouse. The locations of this novel add such depth and feel to the story that I did not want it to end.
This is a mature book, filled with a lot of symbolism and deeper meanings. I found myself recalling pieces of this book and trying to put them into a bigger context. The lighthouse is a literal manifestation of light versus dark. The good versus evil theme is repeated all through this book and through some fabulous symbolic anecdotes. The cats and their role, their place in this story is worth a review on its own. I loved all the scenes that were about the complexities of these amazing and fierce creatures. It was a poignant and heartfelt scene between Wesley and Kino, and I found myself having to pause for a while to take it in. All the cats played a role in this book but Ira obviously was the star. I loved the mystery behind the black cougar. The fierceness of that feline added a great deal of suspense and tension to the characters and to the story.
The characters are Koryta’s strong point. Kimble, Wes, Audrey, Roy, Kino, Wyatt, and of course Ira are all very well done, likable, believable, and memorable. I really believed that Kimble, after going through all that he had, and witnessing and investigating the horrors of his job, that he was able to take a leap of faith and believe what he was bearing witness to.
Koryta does a fabulous job of bringing an otherwise unbelievable story to our world and gives it to us in a way that makes it seem real. Bravo!!!
This is a very well written, atmospheric, symbolic, supernatural murder mystery. It is told by an amazing storyteller in a way that will surely have you catching your breath, looking out your window, and thinking about it long after you close the book (or ereader). I highly recommend this book and recommend Michael Koryta to all lovers of great fiction.
This is my second Koryta novel that I have read, Cypress House was my first (I loved that one too). After finishing this novel I feel it is safe to say that Koryta is a masterful storyteller. He breathes life into his words, his settings, and his story. He creates characters that are three dimensional. They are real. They are not carbon copies or cookie cutter cutouts. Most importantly he creates a cast of characters that are memorable.
I am not going to give any spoilers away with this review except to say that this book would sit safely on any bookstore horror shelf. This is a supernatural thriller, no getting around it. It is a ghost story, a murder mystery, and a story about people accepting their place in the world.
A Song from the book that really captures this story called “Lantern”
“ It’s a hungry world out there
Even the wind will take a bite
I can feel the world circling
Sniffing round me in the night
And the lost sheep grow teeth
Forsake the lambs and lie with the lions
So if you got a light, hold it high for me
I need it bad tonight, hold it high for me
‘Cause I’m face-to-face, hold it high for me
In that lonesome place, hold it high for me
With all the hurt that I’ve done, hold it high for me
That can’t be undone, hold it high for me
Light guide me through, hold it high for me
And I’ll do the same for you, hold it high for me…”
Like Cypress Hill, Koryta quickly establishes the setting as a main character in this novel. The woods, the river, the ridge, and the lighthouse, all make up the heart of this spooky read. Koryta does an amazing job at bringing the reader into the woods with his characters. You could almost smell the flowers, feel the breeze, and that flash of light from outside, maybe that came from the lighthouse. The locations of this novel add such depth and feel to the story that I did not want it to end.
This is a mature book, filled with a lot of symbolism and deeper meanings. I found myself recalling pieces of this book and trying to put them into a bigger context. The lighthouse is a literal manifestation of light versus dark. The good versus evil theme is repeated all through this book and through some fabulous symbolic anecdotes. The cats and their role, their place in this story is worth a review on its own. I loved all the scenes that were about the complexities of these amazing and fierce creatures. It was a poignant and heartfelt scene between Wesley and Kino, and I found myself having to pause for a while to take it in. All the cats played a role in this book but Ira obviously was the star. I loved the mystery behind the black cougar. The fierceness of that feline added a great deal of suspense and tension to the characters and to the story.
The characters are Koryta’s strong point. Kimble, Wes, Audrey, Roy, Kino, Wyatt, and of course Ira are all very well done, likable, believable, and memorable. I really believed that Kimble, after going through all that he had, and witnessing and investigating the horrors of his job, that he was able to take a leap of faith and believe what he was bearing witness to.
Koryta does a fabulous job of bringing an otherwise unbelievable story to our world and gives it to us in a way that makes it seem real. Bravo!!!
This is a very well written, atmospheric, symbolic, supernatural murder mystery. It is told by an amazing storyteller in a way that will surely have you catching your breath, looking out your window, and thinking about it long after you close the book (or ereader). I highly recommend this book and recommend Michael Koryta to all lovers of great fiction.
September 19, 2024
Crime, thriller, horror, drama,romantic, intriguing- this book has it all. Yes, essentially it is a horror novel, but not your typical kind. This is more a human drama with horror elements, oh, and big cats, don’t forget the big cats. The big cats are definitely stand out characters in this take. If you’re not curious about a lighthouse in the middle of the woods next to a big cat sanctuary then I’m not sure what to say. If you are then you need to read this book, you will not be disappointed.
March 28, 2015
I've read & really liked a couple of mystery-thrillers by Koryta, so expected this to be the same. It starts out as one, but is also supernatural horror. That's a genre I have enjoyed, although less lately. I wasn't expecting to turn down that road half way through the book & I found it jarring. I'm not a fan of pigeon-holing books by genres, but in this case I would have appreciated knowing that bit of information up front. It requires a different mind set.
The characters, reading, twists & turns were well done, as usual. The supernatural element was different & pretty good too, although I never understood why the evil or did what they did. Weak motivations there. The reader was good, too.
On the negative side, Koryta tends to be a bit too detailed & went over the top into repetition explaining some feelings & motivations until I was heartily sick of them. Hmmm... maybe this was only a 2.5 star read, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.
The characters, reading, twists & turns were well done, as usual. The supernatural element was different & pretty good too, although I never understood why the evil or did what they did. Weak motivations there. The reader was good, too.
On the negative side, Koryta tends to be a bit too detailed & went over the top into repetition explaining some feelings & motivations until I was heartily sick of them. Hmmm... maybe this was only a 2.5 star read, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.
May 22, 2011
Another winner by Michael Koryta..I can't believe this author is just becoming known to me as this is the third book of his I have read and absolutely love, each distinctly different...this one flows like a fine wine it is so good. It has sucked me in from the first page with its' mystery and characters. Even though this book is over 400 pages, I will read it in one day it is so good. I am now starting to go back and read others by this author that I miss and he will be an author that I follow his website to know of new releases.
I must disclose I won this on firstreads and am thrilled.
I must disclose I won this on firstreads and am thrilled.
June 28, 2018
I liked the first 1/2 of this one because it really is spooky/ scary and the character development was better than is usual in the genre. But then it just got very wordy and convoluted in plot. It's not hard to figure out what the construct is or will become by the finale, but I thought the body count for it just become cartoon like. So during the 1/2 half I just had to plod on and get to know the individual big cats in a more thorough fashion.
So overall, with the capacity / definition for evil and its evidence here- I didn't enjoy it beyond a 2.5 star. I only rounded it up for the black mountain lion, Ira. And the tiger shelter episode section too made it a 3.
He is a good writer. I've liked his others much better.
So overall, with the capacity / definition for evil and its evidence here- I didn't enjoy it beyond a 2.5 star. I only rounded it up for the black mountain lion, Ira. And the tiger shelter episode section too made it a 3.
He is a good writer. I've liked his others much better.
May 16, 2012
This one was close a few times. My rating for this swung from 2 to 4 stars at different times. The book opens and there is a section that I found so annoying that I was thinking "if it goes on this way I'm putting it down". The protagonist of the book Kevin Kimble, has an obsession with Jacqueline Mathis, a prison inmate who shot him (before the book begins). Whenever the character refers to her, thinks about her, talks to her, etc. he waxes almost poetic spouting superlitives about her.
It gets wearing whenever she comes up, or it did for me anyway.
On his way to visit Jacqueline, as he does monthly (or I get the feeling, at least monthly) Kimble gets a cryptic call from Wyatt French an odd alcoholic who lives in a landlocked lighthouse atop The Ridge of the title. Wyatt at one time had what seemed to be a promising future, owning all the land around Blade Ridge where he plans a housing development. But now he lives a liquor soaked existence in the strange lighthouse he has built on the last of his property. He tells Kimble to "keep the light on".
The next day Wyatt is found dead in his lighthouse by Roy Darmus, the other person he has called. Darmus goes to the lighthouse, climbs the locked gate to get in, goes up the lighthouse stairs and is surprised by the gruesome sight that greets him at the top of said stairs, Wyatt's bloody body, with a self inflicted bullet wound in his head. In his surprise Darmus falls into the light...breaking the bulb and PUTTING THE LIGHT OUT...dum,dum,dum.
The book tends in my opinion to swing from thoughtful and interesting to yawningly cliched. The lighthouse overlooks the property of another of our main characters, Audrey Clark who has decided that The Ridge" would be a perfect place for her rescue facility of big cats. In spite of the fact that the cats, "don't like the place" and make sure to sound off about it...Audrey thinks it's, just dandy. The cats and their plight serve as both plot point and counterpoint throughout the book.
The book is what I suppose could be called a genre "breaker" or "bender" as it has elements of suspense, crime drama and of course paranormal thriller/horror novel. This is a point in its favor and (I'm told) it's something the author (Michael Koryta) is becoming known for. I (as mentioned) found myself (after we got past Kimble's obsessive love thoughts) interested in the book. I liked the plot and the way he tied together the plot lines. Unfortunately some of this was old hat and you'll have the "been there before" feeling if you've read many "haunting stories". The good news is that while it's not really new the source of the haunting or the way its said to have started isn't itself an over used one. On the other hand, I must say that, were I a betting man, I'd bet many of you will see the the plot point/twist (and I doubt you'll find it a surprising twist) with Kimble and Jacqueline coming the proverbial mile away.
All in all while I was more than ready for this book to be over I still liked much of it. Had it stretched out much longer I might had skimmed the end and moved on, but it didn't quite drive me to that.
All in all I don't hate it, but neither do I plan to search out anything else by the writer. Maybe later but why waste my time on something else that might at best be a lukewarm read when I have so many other books waiting?
As noted, a lukewarm 3 stars. Not great, not awful, can't really recommend it but realize many will like it immensely.
It gets wearing whenever she comes up, or it did for me anyway.
On his way to visit Jacqueline, as he does monthly (or I get the feeling, at least monthly) Kimble gets a cryptic call from Wyatt French an odd alcoholic who lives in a landlocked lighthouse atop The Ridge of the title. Wyatt at one time had what seemed to be a promising future, owning all the land around Blade Ridge where he plans a housing development. But now he lives a liquor soaked existence in the strange lighthouse he has built on the last of his property. He tells Kimble to "keep the light on".
The next day Wyatt is found dead in his lighthouse by Roy Darmus, the other person he has called. Darmus goes to the lighthouse, climbs the locked gate to get in, goes up the lighthouse stairs and is surprised by the gruesome sight that greets him at the top of said stairs, Wyatt's bloody body, with a self inflicted bullet wound in his head. In his surprise Darmus falls into the light...breaking the bulb and PUTTING THE LIGHT OUT...dum,dum,dum.
The book tends in my opinion to swing from thoughtful and interesting to yawningly cliched. The lighthouse overlooks the property of another of our main characters, Audrey Clark who has decided that The Ridge" would be a perfect place for her rescue facility of big cats. In spite of the fact that the cats, "don't like the place" and make sure to sound off about it...Audrey thinks it's, just dandy. The cats and their plight serve as both plot point and counterpoint throughout the book.
The book is what I suppose could be called a genre "breaker" or "bender" as it has elements of suspense, crime drama and of course paranormal thriller/horror novel. This is a point in its favor and (I'm told) it's something the author (Michael Koryta) is becoming known for. I (as mentioned) found myself (after we got past Kimble's obsessive love thoughts) interested in the book. I liked the plot and the way he tied together the plot lines. Unfortunately some of this was old hat and you'll have the "been there before" feeling if you've read many "haunting stories". The good news is that while it's not really new the source of the haunting or the way its said to have started isn't itself an over used one. On the other hand, I must say that, were I a betting man, I'd bet many of you will see the the plot point/twist (and I doubt you'll find it a surprising twist) with Kimble and Jacqueline coming the proverbial mile away.
All in all while I was more than ready for this book to be over I still liked much of it. Had it stretched out much longer I might had skimmed the end and moved on, but it didn't quite drive me to that.
All in all I don't hate it, but neither do I plan to search out anything else by the writer. Maybe later but why waste my time on something else that might at best be a lukewarm read when I have so many other books waiting?
As noted, a lukewarm 3 stars. Not great, not awful, can't really recommend it but realize many will like it immensely.
July 8, 2011
Earlier last year, I reviewed Koryta's "Cypress House." (Please see it on my blog in 2010) It was my first introduction to his writing. I became an immediate addict...Michael Koryta is a master storyteller. He is the type of author who could have us mesmerized for hours while we waited out a hurricane! And, we'd never even know we were in the midst of one except that it would be a fitting setting for his story. I could read his books in tandem and be entertained all week without boredom.
Koryta's genius, it seems to me, is that he draws us in right away by making the circumstances quite ordinary and believable. The first chapter leaves us with a handful of questions; some of them not so obvious until we muse upon them. So much fun to do that. And, from that moment on, we are hooked. We are driven by an urge to know...
His characters are so real, I feel as if I know them. They are easily visualized. They are easily understood from a psychological perspective. However, this doesn't mean all is immediately as it seems, ever, in a Koryta novel. My attention is driven by his type of characterization with the "brick hasn't yet fallen" suspense. What I'm trying to convey is that you think you can "see" the characters, but he always leaves you with that mote of doubt that irritates your seeker's eye.
I wasn't expecting the supernatural context of this novel. I frankly refrained from reading the overleaf because I didn't want to spoil a minute of the actual read for myself. That's how good Mr. Koryta is! So, I didn't expect this ghostly intrigue and it was a surprising addition for me. From his typical writing genre as I knew it from "Cypress House" it was an unusual twist. Reminiscent of the Gothic novel, it worked perfectly with a modern day police suspense/mystery in the end.
"The Ridge" is a book I couldn't stop reading until the end. I dreamt of it...I read it when I was eating, and I read it during commercials between the Casey Anthony murder trial. This gives you some idea of the intensity of the writing skills of this author. I'm obsessive about the Anthony Trial...and "The Ridge" tore me away at times!
I can do no more than strongly urge you to get to know Michael Koryta as an author with his mind and fingers on the pulse of new suspense/thriller writing. If there is an evolution of writers with vision in this genre, Michael Koryta is leading the curve. His work reminds me why I read suspense and thrillers.
Without going into the storyline of this book, which you can easily find on the regular book blurb for "The Ridge," I want to also say that it's a story that just left me with wide eyes and the feeling that it might really happen. I'm not one to chase after ghosts and demons, but this book made me think twice... You might want to leave the light on when you put it down at night...just sayin'
5 stars
Deborah/TheBookishDame
Koryta's genius, it seems to me, is that he draws us in right away by making the circumstances quite ordinary and believable. The first chapter leaves us with a handful of questions; some of them not so obvious until we muse upon them. So much fun to do that. And, from that moment on, we are hooked. We are driven by an urge to know...
His characters are so real, I feel as if I know them. They are easily visualized. They are easily understood from a psychological perspective. However, this doesn't mean all is immediately as it seems, ever, in a Koryta novel. My attention is driven by his type of characterization with the "brick hasn't yet fallen" suspense. What I'm trying to convey is that you think you can "see" the characters, but he always leaves you with that mote of doubt that irritates your seeker's eye.
I wasn't expecting the supernatural context of this novel. I frankly refrained from reading the overleaf because I didn't want to spoil a minute of the actual read for myself. That's how good Mr. Koryta is! So, I didn't expect this ghostly intrigue and it was a surprising addition for me. From his typical writing genre as I knew it from "Cypress House" it was an unusual twist. Reminiscent of the Gothic novel, it worked perfectly with a modern day police suspense/mystery in the end.
"The Ridge" is a book I couldn't stop reading until the end. I dreamt of it...I read it when I was eating, and I read it during commercials between the Casey Anthony murder trial. This gives you some idea of the intensity of the writing skills of this author. I'm obsessive about the Anthony Trial...and "The Ridge" tore me away at times!
I can do no more than strongly urge you to get to know Michael Koryta as an author with his mind and fingers on the pulse of new suspense/thriller writing. If there is an evolution of writers with vision in this genre, Michael Koryta is leading the curve. His work reminds me why I read suspense and thrillers.
Without going into the storyline of this book, which you can easily find on the regular book blurb for "The Ridge," I want to also say that it's a story that just left me with wide eyes and the feeling that it might really happen. I'm not one to chase after ghosts and demons, but this book made me think twice... You might want to leave the light on when you put it down at night...just sayin'
5 stars
Deborah/TheBookishDame
March 10, 2019
Mildly entertaining with some clever and unexpected twists. It never reaches creepy or scary. The “evil” was kind of bland. Didn’t give a care about the characters. Their development was weak.The kind of book you might find left behind on a train or plane and spend some time with. I might try another one of his books. I’m surprised it hasn’t been made into a movie. I’d consider this suspense versus horror.
June 23, 2013
A solid, immensely entertaining tale from Koryta, deserving of 4.5 stars. Koryta does the supernatural thing much better here than in So Cold The River. This story of a suicide, a lighthouse and the age-old secret that connects them starts off strong and doesn't let up. The mystery is engaging, the characters well-drawn and the writing top-notch. The ending does not disappoint. Not quite a 5 star read but pretty damn close. Highly recommended.
August 29, 2015
*Edit* Goodreads is on my shitlist right now for making me write this twice. 10 million users, time to upgrade the servers, yeah? */edit*
This is 3.5 stars for me, but I liked it enough to round up instead of down.
It's been a long time since I read a good ol' creepy ghost story, though it wasn't exactly a ghost. But this did give me a few moments where I had my hand over my mouth talking to the book, "nononono!!", LOL.
I liked the unusual element of the cats here, and they way they were used in the story. That was really cool.
While the basic idea has been done before, Michael Koryta has told it here with a couple of unique twists. He can certainly tell a good story, keeping the reader on the edge waiting for what's next. A very enjoyable read!
This is 3.5 stars for me, but I liked it enough to round up instead of down.
It's been a long time since I read a good ol' creepy ghost story, though it wasn't exactly a ghost. But this did give me a few moments where I had my hand over my mouth talking to the book, "nononono!!", LOL.
I liked the unusual element of the cats here, and they way they were used in the story. That was really cool.
While the basic idea has been done before, Michael Koryta has told it here with a couple of unique twists. He can certainly tell a good story, keeping the reader on the edge waiting for what's next. A very enjoyable read!
February 27, 2019
Complete your horror reading with this little number. A book both terrifying and surreal. The place is evil and the devil lives there. Ghosts abound and strange things begin to bump in the dark. Then along comes a compound for wild and big scary cats; lions, tigers and leopards. Two men, a sheriff and a retired newspaper editor, get it and solve the mystery of the place. The best part of the entire book is the excellent ending, something a lot of horror books can't seem to exhibit.
June 13, 2021
Notes:
Yay libraries!
Came across this author during the current Audible sale. I'm glad I did! Loved the way he incorporated lions into the story. Solid characters & interesting plot. I would stick this story more under UF/Horror. It's not really a horror story, but I can see how some would consider it as one.
Yay libraries!
Came across this author during the current Audible sale. I'm glad I did! Loved the way he incorporated lions into the story. Solid characters & interesting plot. I would stick this story more under UF/Horror. It's not really a horror story, but I can see how some would consider it as one.
September 15, 2022
Another outstanding book from Koryta. He really does supernatural well. A very underrated author.
June 25, 2021
4/5 This was the first book I’ve read by Michael Koryta and I enjoyed it. The Ridge was part police procedural and part supernatural thriller.
Koryta sets a good pace and has a really intriguing plot that really shines due to his excellent characters and even better setting. Set in the Kentucky wilderness a crazy local has built a lighthouse. Nowhere near water he insists it helps keep the area safe. However now a large cat rescue has been opened in these relatively remote woods and the area begins to suffer an increase in fatal accidents and incidents and people are seeing strange lights in the woods that aren’t from the lighthouse.
Off the bat the premise hooked me. Well written the plot drug me through quicker than I finish most books. My only qualm is that the story kind of fizzled at the end though not terribly. I just managed to puzzle out a few of the mysteries on my own and sometimes that’s part of the fun. If you’re completely blindsided mayhaps the hints weren’t as well placed as the author intended.
Lions, tigers, ghosts, and a legendary black panther inhabit these Kentucky woods and if you’re looking for a good horror mystery novel you can do a lot worse.
Koryta sets a good pace and has a really intriguing plot that really shines due to his excellent characters and even better setting. Set in the Kentucky wilderness a crazy local has built a lighthouse. Nowhere near water he insists it helps keep the area safe. However now a large cat rescue has been opened in these relatively remote woods and the area begins to suffer an increase in fatal accidents and incidents and people are seeing strange lights in the woods that aren’t from the lighthouse.
Off the bat the premise hooked me. Well written the plot drug me through quicker than I finish most books. My only qualm is that the story kind of fizzled at the end though not terribly. I just managed to puzzle out a few of the mysteries on my own and sometimes that’s part of the fun. If you’re completely blindsided mayhaps the hints weren’t as well placed as the author intended.
Lions, tigers, ghosts, and a legendary black panther inhabit these Kentucky woods and if you’re looking for a good horror mystery novel you can do a lot worse.
June 4, 2011
The Ridge by Michael Koryta
Once again, Michael Koryta takes ordinary folks and puts them in extraordinary situations fraught with danger and mystery. A lighthouse in the woods and an exotic cat rescue center draw focus on the deep woods surrounding a remote mining community with an unusual number of deaths.
Michael Koryta has the ability to bring to the printed word characters that you might know. His characterizations are detailed and clear. He paints scenarios that are vivid and emotionally evocative. I found myself humming The Lions Roar Tonight several times as I read.
Kevin Kimble’s infatuation was more far fetched than many things in the book, the man had a huge capacity for forgiveness. To my mind, the eliciting of emotions is a mark of a successful author. Koryta successfully draws out tension, anxiety, pity, empathy, anger, frustration, fear and love. His books are difficult to qualify, not horror but certainly not mundane fiction.
I highly recommend the book.
Once again, Michael Koryta takes ordinary folks and puts them in extraordinary situations fraught with danger and mystery. A lighthouse in the woods and an exotic cat rescue center draw focus on the deep woods surrounding a remote mining community with an unusual number of deaths.
Michael Koryta has the ability to bring to the printed word characters that you might know. His characterizations are detailed and clear. He paints scenarios that are vivid and emotionally evocative. I found myself humming The Lions Roar Tonight several times as I read.
Kevin Kimble’s infatuation was more far fetched than many things in the book, the man had a huge capacity for forgiveness. To my mind, the eliciting of emotions is a mark of a successful author. Koryta successfully draws out tension, anxiety, pity, empathy, anger, frustration, fear and love. His books are difficult to qualify, not horror but certainly not mundane fiction.
I highly recommend the book.
April 17, 2022
This is the third book that I’ve read by Michael Koryta and so far, the best one too. I didn’t even need to finish reading the GR book summary before adding this book to my to-read list. I was hooked on “sixty-seven lions, tigers and other species into a shelter”. Rescued exotic kittys? Oh yeah, just the kind of book to satisfy my quirky reading interests.
The story revolves around a series of deaths in and around a particular area in the Kentucky hills and mountains. Sixty-seven big cats, dark, rural hills and mountains with a 120+ year history of a bunch of “accidental” deaths (maybe)? What a perfect setting and atmosphere for a scary and suspenseful mystery story!!!
There were a couple of nail biting scenes with the cats and one particularly tear jerking scene but I loved how Koryta developed a story around the cats. I was disappointed with one aspect of the ending; thought that could have played out better. I guess if I could give it 4.5stars I would have but since the overall story was well written and superbly told, I’ve rounded up.
The story revolves around a series of deaths in and around a particular area in the Kentucky hills and mountains. Sixty-seven big cats, dark, rural hills and mountains with a 120+ year history of a bunch of “accidental” deaths (maybe)? What a perfect setting and atmosphere for a scary and suspenseful mystery story!!!
There were a couple of nail biting scenes with the cats and one particularly tear jerking scene but I loved how Koryta developed a story around the cats. I was disappointed with one aspect of the ending; thought that could have played out better. I guess if I could give it 4.5stars I would have but since the overall story was well written and superbly told, I’ve rounded up.
March 27, 2019
This was a solid 3.5 stars for me, it reads more like a thriller than a horror, but I guess the supernatural elements move it to the former genre. Not scary, but an easy fast read, and a good palate cleanser between my denser reads.
June 26, 2011
Hard to write a scary story effectively yet The Ridge is one. Large game animals, lighthouse and a spooky blue light that portends evil, this book was chilling.
September 7, 2021
3.5 rounded up
Interesting story, part police thriller/ part supernatural.
Interesting story, part police thriller/ part supernatural.
February 17, 2018
Michael Koryta gets compared with Dean Koontz, and now I see why. This book is a fairly standard supernatural thriller, but it was well-executed, with the "rules" of the woo-woo stuff explained and making sense of all the events. Technically I guess telling you that the Big Reveal is supernatural in nature is a spoiler, but it's very heavily hinted at early on, and pretty obvious long before it's spelled out. It also features a big cat rescue sanctuary, and since one of my favorite charities is one of those (though it's located in the Arizona desert, rather than in the backwoods of Kentucky like this one), I decided to pick this book up in an Audible sale.
The big cat sanctuary consists of lions and tigers, leopards and ocelots, and a mysterious black panther. It was just moved into the area, when the husband of the woman running it died tragically. Now she is forced to keep it running with the help of two assistants, and unfortunately the local crank, an old drunk who built a lighthouse at the top of the ridge - many miles from the ocean - is causing trouble for them, telling them they and their cats don't belong here.
The other main character is Sheriff Kimble, who is in love with a woman who's serving time for shooting him. Actually, she's serving time for shooting her abusive husband, but she "accidentally" shot Kimble as well. As the story unfolds, it turns out it wasn't such an accident, but it had something to do with spooky woods around the ridge where the lighthouse and the cat sanctuary are located.
Kimble, a journalist whose parents died on the ridge when he was a kid, and the owner of the cat sanctuary all get dragged into the sinister mystery of why so many deaths have happened there and what is causing all the supernatural heebie-jeebies. Naturally, the cats play a part in the story, and Koryta makes them characters as well.
I liked this story, which involves people making choices, good and bad, dealing with Big Bads, and heroic sacrifices. Nothing special in the genre, but suitable for fans of supernatural thrillers who don't want an overdose of horror or gore.
The big cat sanctuary consists of lions and tigers, leopards and ocelots, and a mysterious black panther. It was just moved into the area, when the husband of the woman running it died tragically. Now she is forced to keep it running with the help of two assistants, and unfortunately the local crank, an old drunk who built a lighthouse at the top of the ridge - many miles from the ocean - is causing trouble for them, telling them they and their cats don't belong here.
The other main character is Sheriff Kimble, who is in love with a woman who's serving time for shooting him. Actually, she's serving time for shooting her abusive husband, but she "accidentally" shot Kimble as well. As the story unfolds, it turns out it wasn't such an accident, but it had something to do with spooky woods around the ridge where the lighthouse and the cat sanctuary are located.
Kimble, a journalist whose parents died on the ridge when he was a kid, and the owner of the cat sanctuary all get dragged into the sinister mystery of why so many deaths have happened there and what is causing all the supernatural heebie-jeebies. Naturally, the cats play a part in the story, and Koryta makes them characters as well.
I liked this story, which involves people making choices, good and bad, dealing with Big Bads, and heroic sacrifices. Nothing special in the genre, but suitable for fans of supernatural thrillers who don't want an overdose of horror or gore.
May 29, 2024
This is a nice mix of supernatural thriller and police procedural -ish. I was sucked in pretty quickly, and it held my attention throughout it, and I didn’t get bored once. My adult daughter ended up hearing part of my audiobook, and almost became interested enough to read this novel also lol. I thought Det. Kimble’s obsession with that one woman in jail was a bit much, but that was fine. He was an interesting character though. I also loved the cats in this novel. I thought that many of them are characters in their own right, and I desperately wanted to see them all in person, so I could Scritch their huge faces, and scratch behind their perfect ears. (I 💖 Big cats!)
This is my first novel by this author, and I am happy with it. I'd like to read more by Koryta in the future, as he has an interesting and easy writing style that I really like. I’m super happy that one of my libraries has quite a few of his novels, a lot of which in audiobook form.
Robert Petkoff is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel. I adore Petkoff, having enjoyed his wonderful narrating talent and voice characterizations many times, in many different audiobooks. As usual, his work here is stellar. I sincerely hope that Petkoff continues with his narrating career well into the future, and audiobook publishers continue to give him all the work he desires. I’m thrilled to see that one of my libraries has 8 pages of his audiobooks, so ….yay, me! 😂. Kudos to everyone involved with the making of this great work.
4 stars, and recommended.
CONTENT WARNING: a big cat dies.
This is my first novel by this author, and I am happy with it. I'd like to read more by Koryta in the future, as he has an interesting and easy writing style that I really like. I’m super happy that one of my libraries has quite a few of his novels, a lot of which in audiobook form.
Robert Petkoff is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel. I adore Petkoff, having enjoyed his wonderful narrating talent and voice characterizations many times, in many different audiobooks. As usual, his work here is stellar. I sincerely hope that Petkoff continues with his narrating career well into the future, and audiobook publishers continue to give him all the work he desires. I’m thrilled to see that one of my libraries has 8 pages of his audiobooks, so ….yay, me! 😂. Kudos to everyone involved with the making of this great work.
4 stars, and recommended.
CONTENT WARNING: a big cat dies.
July 30, 2020
This is my fourth book by this author and different from the rest. This was more of a horror/thriller novel than a mystery. I enjoyed it with some hesitations. I questioned the actions of the detective mostly but I still liked him and the rest of the characters. The ending could have been better. I haven’t rated this author’s work less than a 3 so I feel like I’ve found a reliable mystery and now a supernatural writer.
May 16, 2011
THE RIDGE written by Michael Koryta
06/11 - Little, Brown & Company - Hardcover, 368 pages
Can you control the madness when good and evil reside in the same body?
Deputy Kevin Kimble is a good cop that keeps things going in the right direction for the fine folks of Sawyer County in eastern Kentucky. His path collides with everyone but during the latest event on Blade Ridge, nothing is as it appears and every direction he takes leads him to another mystery.
The crime scene he is called to at first appears to be the suicide of a lonely man living in a lighthouse with the occasional drunken trip to town. For Kevin it looks too much like a murder especially since the man called that morning to talk about his upcoming death saying it would not be at his own hand and he expected proper justice. The more Kevin investigates the less anything makes sense in a reasonable investigative manner so it is now time to make other decisions and call in some out of the norm help.
Kevin talks the recently unemployed newspaper owner Roy Darmus into following up on research to help figure out what the maps, names and lettering of the word NO meant to the crazy man in the lighthouse. Roy can research years of newspaper data and hit every source possible to figure out who all these faces belonged to and how they ended up dead.
Kevin is also dealing with the large cat facility that just opened and making sure the caretaker, Audrey knows what she is doing. The residents do not like the animals there and the animals really dislike the area once the sun goes down and the darkness contains them. Audrey fought to be there with her husband who died on Blade Ridge making this dream a reality but she is afraid of the dark as well and the nightmares that haunt her seem to come directly from this area.
For Kevin it seems all possible answers lead back to the woman locked up in prison for shooting him. She holds the secret to what made her take a gun, kill her husband, and then turn it on the man trying to save her without being able to remember any of it. Kevin has spent every month of her incarceration visiting her and trying to forget that what he feels for her is not victim guilt but male attraction to a beautiful woman.
This book is as phenomenal as every other book written by Michael Koryta, but really takes the scary, creepy factor up a notch. This story draws you in and you refuse to believe this is not a recounting of fact instead of fiction. You will not be able to put it down so keep reading but do not turn off the lights.
06/11 - Little, Brown & Company - Hardcover, 368 pages
Can you control the madness when good and evil reside in the same body?
Deputy Kevin Kimble is a good cop that keeps things going in the right direction for the fine folks of Sawyer County in eastern Kentucky. His path collides with everyone but during the latest event on Blade Ridge, nothing is as it appears and every direction he takes leads him to another mystery.
The crime scene he is called to at first appears to be the suicide of a lonely man living in a lighthouse with the occasional drunken trip to town. For Kevin it looks too much like a murder especially since the man called that morning to talk about his upcoming death saying it would not be at his own hand and he expected proper justice. The more Kevin investigates the less anything makes sense in a reasonable investigative manner so it is now time to make other decisions and call in some out of the norm help.
Kevin talks the recently unemployed newspaper owner Roy Darmus into following up on research to help figure out what the maps, names and lettering of the word NO meant to the crazy man in the lighthouse. Roy can research years of newspaper data and hit every source possible to figure out who all these faces belonged to and how they ended up dead.
Kevin is also dealing with the large cat facility that just opened and making sure the caretaker, Audrey knows what she is doing. The residents do not like the animals there and the animals really dislike the area once the sun goes down and the darkness contains them. Audrey fought to be there with her husband who died on Blade Ridge making this dream a reality but she is afraid of the dark as well and the nightmares that haunt her seem to come directly from this area.
For Kevin it seems all possible answers lead back to the woman locked up in prison for shooting him. She holds the secret to what made her take a gun, kill her husband, and then turn it on the man trying to save her without being able to remember any of it. Kevin has spent every month of her incarceration visiting her and trying to forget that what he feels for her is not victim guilt but male attraction to a beautiful woman.
This book is as phenomenal as every other book written by Michael Koryta, but really takes the scary, creepy factor up a notch. This story draws you in and you refuse to believe this is not a recounting of fact instead of fiction. You will not be able to put it down so keep reading but do not turn off the lights.
June 12, 2011
Chief Deputy Kevin Kimble is making an early morning drive when he receives a very strange and disturbing phone call. The call is from Wyatt French one of the stranger residents of Kimble’s county. Wyatt lives on a hilltop known as Blade Ridge. Wyatt is famous for his heavy drinking and his residence. Wyatt lives in a lighthouse that lights up the hills surrounding his home. Wyatt’s call is to ask just one question of Kimble and that is if Kimble would rather have a homicide to investigate or a suicide. Kimble finally responds with the answer of suicide.
Kimble’s early drive is a strange one. He makes a monthly visit to prison to visit Jacqueline Mathis. Mathis is serving time for the murder of her husband. Jacqueline also severely injured Kimble although she claims not to remember that she shot him. Kimble thinks that his visits are not common knowledge but his telephone conversation with French reveals that French is well aware of these trips.
Audrey Clark is the owner of a big-cat sanctuary and is in the process of moving the animals to her new location on Blade Ridge. The cats are restless and seem to be dissatisfied with the new sanctuary.
Kimble’s return home after his prison visit finds him faced with the discovery of Wyatt French's body. French’s death appears to be a suicide but Kimble keeps going over the statements made by French in his phone call and the strange items revealed in the search of French’s lighthouse home.
Between the investigation of French’s death and the trouble stirring at the cat sanctuary it seems that Blade Ridge is a dangerous place to be. Roy Darmus is a newspaper reporter whose newspaper has just closed down but Roy also becomes interested in French’s death and Blade Ridge. Kimble and Darmus work together to uncover the mystery that surrounds the Ridge.
Digging into the past finally reveals the history of Blade Ridge and the very real dangers that lurk there – dangers that Wyatt French attempted to fight.
I enjoyed this author’s The Cypress House and So Cold the River. This one is even better than the first two. The three books are all stand-alones.
Kimble’s early drive is a strange one. He makes a monthly visit to prison to visit Jacqueline Mathis. Mathis is serving time for the murder of her husband. Jacqueline also severely injured Kimble although she claims not to remember that she shot him. Kimble thinks that his visits are not common knowledge but his telephone conversation with French reveals that French is well aware of these trips.
Audrey Clark is the owner of a big-cat sanctuary and is in the process of moving the animals to her new location on Blade Ridge. The cats are restless and seem to be dissatisfied with the new sanctuary.
Kimble’s return home after his prison visit finds him faced with the discovery of Wyatt French's body. French’s death appears to be a suicide but Kimble keeps going over the statements made by French in his phone call and the strange items revealed in the search of French’s lighthouse home.
Between the investigation of French’s death and the trouble stirring at the cat sanctuary it seems that Blade Ridge is a dangerous place to be. Roy Darmus is a newspaper reporter whose newspaper has just closed down but Roy also becomes interested in French’s death and Blade Ridge. Kimble and Darmus work together to uncover the mystery that surrounds the Ridge.
Digging into the past finally reveals the history of Blade Ridge and the very real dangers that lurk there – dangers that Wyatt French attempted to fight.
I enjoyed this author’s The Cypress House and So Cold the River. This one is even better than the first two. The three books are all stand-alones.
July 5, 2012
Unlike others who did not like this book, I have no problem with the mixing of detective and supernatural elements in a story. Koryta is a gifted writer and the story here is told well. But, I live in eastern Kentucky where this book is set and that was one of the reasons I tried to read it. Eastern Kentucky is in the heart of that region now called "Appalachia," and has a unique culture and mindset - a cross of genteel southern, Bible-belt religion, and mountain pioneer thinking. This is the home of snake handlers, of the Hatfield-McCoy feud, of coal mining and labor disputes ("Matewan," the movie for example), etc. Though the characters are finely conceived, they appear to have been created in a vacuum with no reference to the time and place where they "live" in this book. It would appear that the author set the novel here because the image of a lighthouse on a ridge hundreds of miles from any large body of water captured his imagination, but it seems clear that he never visited the area, never read any other fiction set in this location, or even performed cursory research on the history, society or legal system. He appears to think that the "mayor" is a county official rather than a city one. The murder investigation proceeds without involvement of the Kentucky State Police, which is just inconceivable. Frankly, stumbling over one thing after another that I simply could not accept as believable given the setting, I couldn't even finish reading the book. Maybe it is wrong to review a book I haven't completed, but the faults I have are not ones that could be erased by fine writing, character development or a clever plot.
July 2, 2023
Every once in a while a really good supernatural book comes along with possible solutions to real threats....this is one of those times! An excellent, non-stop story that incorporates a big cat sanctuary into a devil possession tale. Not sure how Mr. Koryta did that but its quite an accomplishment. Even the character development, though not extensive, is enough to relate to the people in Blade Ridge.
The deaths over the decades have a commonality that are discovered by a "put out to pasture" newsman, goaded on by a local police official who frequents the local prison to visit a female prisoner that shot him years ago!! Is that enough info to capture your interest? Then lets throw in an escaped panther and a lighthouse in the middle of a forest setting! I know it sounds convaluted, but it works. Don't plan anything when you start The Ridge because your night will be filled.
The deaths over the decades have a commonality that are discovered by a "put out to pasture" newsman, goaded on by a local police official who frequents the local prison to visit a female prisoner that shot him years ago!! Is that enough info to capture your interest? Then lets throw in an escaped panther and a lighthouse in the middle of a forest setting! I know it sounds convaluted, but it works. Don't plan anything when you start The Ridge because your night will be filled.
October 31, 2017
It was satisfying to witness the authorities interpreting the physical evidence correctly, and not, as was expected, being mislead. In other words, SMART cops, for a change.
Although I had an inkling of what had to be the only solution to the dilemma. I didn't want it to be true.
Lions and Tigers and , OH MY!
Although I had an inkling of what had to be the only solution to the dilemma. I didn't want it to be true.
Lions and Tigers and , OH MY!
January 12, 2012
I read 200 pages, couldn't take anymore.
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