What do you think?
From the Black Hills: A Novel
A decent, ordinary life jeopardized by a catastrophically extraordinary this is the story, mythic in its outline and substance, that Judy Troy--author of two New York Times Notable Books and Whiting award winner--tells in From the Black Hills .
In Wheatley, South Dakota, during the summer before Mike Newlin is to begin college, his father, an insurance salesman, shoots and kills the young woman who works for him as his receptionist. He disappears, and Mike is left behind in shock and grief. With his future suddenly obscured, Mike finds himself nearly overwhelmed by his present circumstances--not only the emotional damage inflicted by his father's awful crime but also his mother's dismay, the insinuating methods of a criminal investigator named Tom DeWitt, his girlfriend's anxieties, and his longing for an older woman who lives nearby--and the question of whether he will ever see his father again and what will happen if he does.
As imposing as the landscape that forms its setting, From the Black Hills conveys with compassionate power the drama of a young man who must try to overcome his father's dark legacy.
In Wheatley, South Dakota, during the summer before Mike Newlin is to begin college, his father, an insurance salesman, shoots and kills the young woman who works for him as his receptionist. He disappears, and Mike is left behind in shock and grief. With his future suddenly obscured, Mike finds himself nearly overwhelmed by his present circumstances--not only the emotional damage inflicted by his father's awful crime but also his mother's dismay, the insinuating methods of a criminal investigator named Tom DeWitt, his girlfriend's anxieties, and his longing for an older woman who lives nearby--and the question of whether he will ever see his father again and what will happen if he does.
As imposing as the landscape that forms its setting, From the Black Hills conveys with compassionate power the drama of a young man who must try to overcome his father's dark legacy.
- GenresFiction
283 pages, Hardcover
First published June 7, 1999
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 10, 2026
The author’s writing style was good, but not particularly captivating. The storyline was adequate, but felt lacking, especially in the area of motives. Why was the murder weapon there in the first place? The killer’s emotional baggage was discussed but never fully revealed. A sexual overtone within the story didn’t really work with the general theme - or was it the theme? It was as though the author started in a lot of directions, but when the reader followed a particular thread, it didn’t really lead anywhere.
Probably won’t seek out this author’s work.
Probably won’t seek out this author’s work.
May 24, 2018
Made it to page 100 then gave up. Cardboard cutout characters revolving around a murder that's impossible to care about. Annoying focus on sex every couple of pages. Read last five pages just to see if I was going to miss something. Nope.
January 19, 2018
I wanted to read this book because it was based in South Dakota. I had to push myself to finish this book. The characters had no depth and the writing was very lackluster.
February 3, 2023
Picked it because South Dakota, but that’s about the only thing this book has going for it.
July 11, 2026
This was an odd story. Don't get me wrong, it kept my attention and it was a good read.
December 1, 2009
The father in this book was not a nice man. I thought it was a good story.
May 4, 2014
Absolutely tragic and gut wrenching story, somewhat coming of age. A lot of weighty themes and issues are surrounded, and for a parent to put their kid in a situation like this... wow. Amazing.
August 20, 2009
I would have rated it higher, but it was too heartbreaking.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews