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The Devil Walks in Mattingly
For the three people tortured by their secret complicity in a young man's untimely death, redemption is what they most long for . . . and the last thing they expect to receive. It has been twenty years since Philip McBride's body was found along the riverbank in the dark woods known as Happy Hollow. His death was ruled a suicide. But three people have carried the truth ever since—Philip didn't kill himself that day. He was murdered. Each of the three have wilted in the shadow of their sins. Jake Barnett is Mattingly's sheriff, where he spends his days polishing the fragile shell of the man he pretends to be. His wife, Kate, has convinced herself the good she does for the poor will someday wash the blood from her hands. And high in the mountains, Taylor Hathcock lives in seclusion and fear, fueled by madness and hatred. Yet what cannot be laid to rest is bound to rise again. Philip McBride has haunted Jake's dreams for weeks, warning that he is coming back for them all. When Taylor finds mysterious footprints leading from the Hollow, he believes his redemption has come. His actions will plunge the quiet town of Mattingly into darkness. These three will be drawn together for a final confrontation between life and death . . . between truth and lies. "Coffey has a profound sense of Southern spirituality. His narrative moves the reader from . . . [a] false heaven to a terrible hell, then back again to a glorious grace." — Publishers Weekly " The Devil Walks in Mattingly . . . recalls Flannery O'Conner with its glimpses of the grotesque and supernatural." — BookPage
400 pages, Paperback
First published March 11, 2014
45 people are currently reading
853 people want to read
About the author
Billy Coffey
12 books266 followersBilly and his wife, Joanne, live with their two children in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. A product of his small-town locale, Billy counts as assets his rural authenticity, unwavering sense of purpose, and insatiable curiosity--all of which tend to make his front porch a comfortably crowded place.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
January 27, 2014
I found myself still thinking about this book a few days after finishing it. When you get right down to it, this story was about love, repentance, forgiveness, and how secrets and guilt can slowly erode any happiness in life.
The characterization in this book was outstanding. Every character had their own distinct personality and really seemed to come alive as I read the story - not just the MCs, but the supporting players also, and I think everyone can relate in some way to both Jake and Kate and their reasons for keeping secrets. The setting, a small town in the hollows of the Virginia mountains, was ideal.
Going into the story, the reader knows something horrible happened in the past, and the truth is revealed, but very gradually. What is perceived as the truth by one may not be the same for all and discovering what it actually was kept me glued to these pages. This was a dark example of how our actions, regretful or not, can affect a multitude of lives for many years to come.
At times, the writing was poetic, even profound, and I would reread some sections numerous times. I would recommend this book to readers that can appreciate a slower buildup in their books and the journey along the way, with a little supernatural kick thrown in.
The Devil Walks in Mattingly is scheduled to be published March 11, 2014. This review is based on a digital copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
The characterization in this book was outstanding. Every character had their own distinct personality and really seemed to come alive as I read the story - not just the MCs, but the supporting players also, and I think everyone can relate in some way to both Jake and Kate and their reasons for keeping secrets. The setting, a small town in the hollows of the Virginia mountains, was ideal.
Going into the story, the reader knows something horrible happened in the past, and the truth is revealed, but very gradually. What is perceived as the truth by one may not be the same for all and discovering what it actually was kept me glued to these pages. This was a dark example of how our actions, regretful or not, can affect a multitude of lives for many years to come.
At times, the writing was poetic, even profound, and I would reread some sections numerous times. I would recommend this book to readers that can appreciate a slower buildup in their books and the journey along the way, with a little supernatural kick thrown in.
The Devil Walks in Mattingly is scheduled to be published March 11, 2014. This review is based on a digital copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
May 28, 2015
Literate, compelling,poetic, deep: an examination of the stranglehold of guilt and the equally intense stranglehold of memory, A wrong deed happens in a moment, but guilt, fear, and memory endure for a lifetime. What can overcome: faith and grace; or a lifetime of Good Deeds?
March 6, 2014
Jake Barnett is the sheriff in Mattingly, and his wife, Kate, does good deeds for the local poor. Both are racked with guilt because they feel responsible for the death of Phillip McBride twenty years earlier, back when they were in high school. As Jake and Kate attempt to cope with their guilt in their own ways, a variety of things are happening. Phillip is haunting Jake’s dreams. A mentally ill man named Taylor Hathcock is murdering and attempting to murder, with the conviction that life is a dream and he is benevolently waking people up. A young woman named Lisa, who reads philosophy and feels rejected, unloved, and sad about the death of her mother, becomes attracted to Taylor and begins to believe his rants. There is also a man named Justus, who shot at two people years before, and whom Jake and Kate do not want around their son, Zach.
The book really came alive to me after page 200. Before that point, I had a hard time getting into it, but I diligently read on. I am glad that I stuck with the book and got to see how its mysteries were explained and resolved. The book is about forgiveness, moving on with life, insecurity, fear, reconciliation, and love. Some of its theological reflections resonated with me, while others did not. The book is rather deep and thought-provoking, though.
Note: I received a complimentary review copy of this book through the BookLook Bloggers (http://booklookbloggers.com/) book review bloggers program. The program does not require for my review to be positive, and my review reflects my honest reaction to the book.
The book really came alive to me after page 200. Before that point, I had a hard time getting into it, but I diligently read on. I am glad that I stuck with the book and got to see how its mysteries were explained and resolved. The book is about forgiveness, moving on with life, insecurity, fear, reconciliation, and love. Some of its theological reflections resonated with me, while others did not. The book is rather deep and thought-provoking, though.
Note: I received a complimentary review copy of this book through the BookLook Bloggers (http://booklookbloggers.com/) book review bloggers program. The program does not require for my review to be positive, and my review reflects my honest reaction to the book.
March 21, 2014
My first introduction to Billy Coffey's fiction was his previous book, When Mockingbirds Sing, set in the same town of Mattingly, and even featuring a few of the same characters that appear in The Devil Walks in Mattingly.
With Mockingbirds, I was engaged from page one and floored by its conclusion. Coffey made the mistake of writing too well; it meant that any of his future books would have to rival Mockingbirds in my opinion.
Devil expands on the Southern, spiritual magic that pervaded Mattingly in Mockingbirds, but shines a more stunning light on the darkness all humans are capable of letting fester within their own hearts.
I'd tell you about the plot, but that'd be ruining it. It's engaging, well-written, and has more than a few superb turns of spiritual phrases that part the veil between this world and the next.
When it comes to fiction, I know a work is entrancing and fully fleshed out when I want to see it adapted for the big screen. Here's to hoping that some screenwriter, somewhere, at some point in the very near future starts reading Billy Coffey's books.
Coffey surpassed my expectations, and I can't wait to read ... and maybe even one day watch ... the next grand story set in Mattingly.
With Mockingbirds, I was engaged from page one and floored by its conclusion. Coffey made the mistake of writing too well; it meant that any of his future books would have to rival Mockingbirds in my opinion.
Devil expands on the Southern, spiritual magic that pervaded Mattingly in Mockingbirds, but shines a more stunning light on the darkness all humans are capable of letting fester within their own hearts.
I'd tell you about the plot, but that'd be ruining it. It's engaging, well-written, and has more than a few superb turns of spiritual phrases that part the veil between this world and the next.
When it comes to fiction, I know a work is entrancing and fully fleshed out when I want to see it adapted for the big screen. Here's to hoping that some screenwriter, somewhere, at some point in the very near future starts reading Billy Coffey's books.
Coffey surpassed my expectations, and I can't wait to read ... and maybe even one day watch ... the next grand story set in Mattingly.
February 25, 2014
Another fantastic book by Billy Coffey!
Three characters all believe that they are responsible for taking another's life. The answers to the "who and how" questions are not fully revealed until near the end of the story, compelling you to continue reading.
Since all of Coffey's books are set in Mattingly, there is always the chance of coming upon a favorite character from a previous book. These characters are always well developed and written in a way that makes it hard to leave them behind when the story ends, and therefore, they are as comforting as a favorite old sweater when you chance to meet them again!
Reading a Billy Coffey novel will be an experience you will long remember and one that will most likely change you in a positive way!
Three characters all believe that they are responsible for taking another's life. The answers to the "who and how" questions are not fully revealed until near the end of the story, compelling you to continue reading.
Since all of Coffey's books are set in Mattingly, there is always the chance of coming upon a favorite character from a previous book. These characters are always well developed and written in a way that makes it hard to leave them behind when the story ends, and therefore, they are as comforting as a favorite old sweater when you chance to meet them again!
Reading a Billy Coffey novel will be an experience you will long remember and one that will most likely change you in a positive way!
March 11, 2014
As I finished the latest novel from Billy Coffey, The Devil Walks in Mattingly, I remember what he told me when I interviewed him on what the reader would find in this one. He told me it will be much darker. And it is. Much darker!
To those of you that are looking for a happy story of some facet of Billy's walk in life, this is NOT that novel. Ir reminds me in fact of the opening line that Jude Law narrates for Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, "Dear reader, there are people in the world who know no misery and woe. And they take comfort in cheerful films about twittering birds and giggling elves. There are people who know that there's always a mystery to be solved. And they take comfort in researching and writing down any important evidence. But this story is not about such people.The movie you are about to see is extremely unpleasant. If you wish to see a film about a happy little elf, I'm sure there is still plenty of seating in theatre number two."
This novel is actually the prequel to Billy's third novel, When Mockingbird Sings. I've been a huge fan of Billy's since the days I first came across his stories on his Blog, "What I Learned Today", and fell in love with his uncanny abililty to do more than just tell a great story. He makes it come alive and makes you part of the action. I wanted to run ahead and read The Devil Walks in Mattingly as fast as possible, because you will always come away changed after reading ANY of his books. This one was NO different, however much like a race horse yearning to run ahead at the start of the gun, this one held me back restrained. No matter how much I wanted to run ahead, this one made me go slow. To say this novel is deep and dark, is an understatement. I believe it's Billy's finest examples of just how versatile of a writer he truly is.
I liken this novel to something a bit of a blend between Stephen King, Edgar Allen Poe and M. Night Shyalmalan's Sixth Sense. This is about what we all face when dealing with the guilt of sin in our lives. Especially in this case where the murder of a young boy, Phillip McBride that happened twenty years ago, is now being felt in the town of Mattingly, Virginia by those with guilty consciences, the local sheriff, Jake Barnett, his wife, Kate, and the recluse that lives in Happy Hollow, Taylor Hathcock. Each of them believes that they have had a hand in the murder of Phillip and each have found a coping method that is slowly unraveling at the seams.
For Jake, he is trying to avoid confrontation at all costs in his job as Mattingly's sheriff, including the apprehension of his own father, Justus wanted for the murder of three men. Jake is haunted by nightmares of that fateful day by Phillip to deprives him not only of sleep but in moving forward in his life. Phillip is the spectre with a warning that he is coming back for him and Kate, and no one will escape. But is it really happening or it just the over active imagination of a guilty conscience?
Kate is stuck making amends for her guilt, one I related to the most. She keeps a notebook of all the young people she has helped to atone for her sin. She is hoping one day, she will achieved enough good deeds to make up for the one she can't apologize for and for the innocent loss of life she claimed that day when her prank took an unexpected turn on the last day of high school.
For Taylor, he spends his days waiting for just the right moment to "wake" them all up. He suffers from a mental snap and believes that the life his is living is merely a dream and that he is the only one who can help them all. He cautiously spies upon the sleepy residents of Mattingly knowing that the day is close at hand. The one event that brings things to life is the day footprints appear in the Hollow from a protective grove that Taylor is the keeper of, that lead back to Mattingly and back to her. Now he just needs to find the clues to piece it all together, but this will also bring to the town of Mattingly, an evil they have never experienced before and one that will forever change the town.
I received The Devil Walks in Mattingly by Billy Coffey, compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own, unless otherwise noted. This is a novel that showcases much more than a well written story. It shows how far guilt can carry us if we allow it to fester unresolved. It also teaches us the power of forgiveness. People often say that forgiveness is for others, but I beg to differ, it is for us that have been wronged instead. There is freedom in being able to forgive those who have wronged us, no matter what has happened. Those who can't are likely Jake, Kate and Taylor who are stuck feeling justified in keeping those feelings locked inside, and thus become more trapped and tormented than anyone should ever have to. By the time, you get to the end of this one, you will understand what grace truly is and how much freedom there is in forgiveness before you can ever move forward. In my opinion, by far, Billy's finest novel to date. There is such maturity in his writing this novel that is unparallelled in anything I have read and thus the reason for my 5 out of 5 stars. Looking forward to going even deeper Billy!
To those of you that are looking for a happy story of some facet of Billy's walk in life, this is NOT that novel. Ir reminds me in fact of the opening line that Jude Law narrates for Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, "Dear reader, there are people in the world who know no misery and woe. And they take comfort in cheerful films about twittering birds and giggling elves. There are people who know that there's always a mystery to be solved. And they take comfort in researching and writing down any important evidence. But this story is not about such people.The movie you are about to see is extremely unpleasant. If you wish to see a film about a happy little elf, I'm sure there is still plenty of seating in theatre number two."
This novel is actually the prequel to Billy's third novel, When Mockingbird Sings. I've been a huge fan of Billy's since the days I first came across his stories on his Blog, "What I Learned Today", and fell in love with his uncanny abililty to do more than just tell a great story. He makes it come alive and makes you part of the action. I wanted to run ahead and read The Devil Walks in Mattingly as fast as possible, because you will always come away changed after reading ANY of his books. This one was NO different, however much like a race horse yearning to run ahead at the start of the gun, this one held me back restrained. No matter how much I wanted to run ahead, this one made me go slow. To say this novel is deep and dark, is an understatement. I believe it's Billy's finest examples of just how versatile of a writer he truly is.
I liken this novel to something a bit of a blend between Stephen King, Edgar Allen Poe and M. Night Shyalmalan's Sixth Sense. This is about what we all face when dealing with the guilt of sin in our lives. Especially in this case where the murder of a young boy, Phillip McBride that happened twenty years ago, is now being felt in the town of Mattingly, Virginia by those with guilty consciences, the local sheriff, Jake Barnett, his wife, Kate, and the recluse that lives in Happy Hollow, Taylor Hathcock. Each of them believes that they have had a hand in the murder of Phillip and each have found a coping method that is slowly unraveling at the seams.
For Jake, he is trying to avoid confrontation at all costs in his job as Mattingly's sheriff, including the apprehension of his own father, Justus wanted for the murder of three men. Jake is haunted by nightmares of that fateful day by Phillip to deprives him not only of sleep but in moving forward in his life. Phillip is the spectre with a warning that he is coming back for him and Kate, and no one will escape. But is it really happening or it just the over active imagination of a guilty conscience?
Kate is stuck making amends for her guilt, one I related to the most. She keeps a notebook of all the young people she has helped to atone for her sin. She is hoping one day, she will achieved enough good deeds to make up for the one she can't apologize for and for the innocent loss of life she claimed that day when her prank took an unexpected turn on the last day of high school.
For Taylor, he spends his days waiting for just the right moment to "wake" them all up. He suffers from a mental snap and believes that the life his is living is merely a dream and that he is the only one who can help them all. He cautiously spies upon the sleepy residents of Mattingly knowing that the day is close at hand. The one event that brings things to life is the day footprints appear in the Hollow from a protective grove that Taylor is the keeper of, that lead back to Mattingly and back to her. Now he just needs to find the clues to piece it all together, but this will also bring to the town of Mattingly, an evil they have never experienced before and one that will forever change the town.
I received The Devil Walks in Mattingly by Billy Coffey, compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own, unless otherwise noted. This is a novel that showcases much more than a well written story. It shows how far guilt can carry us if we allow it to fester unresolved. It also teaches us the power of forgiveness. People often say that forgiveness is for others, but I beg to differ, it is for us that have been wronged instead. There is freedom in being able to forgive those who have wronged us, no matter what has happened. Those who can't are likely Jake, Kate and Taylor who are stuck feeling justified in keeping those feelings locked inside, and thus become more trapped and tormented than anyone should ever have to. By the time, you get to the end of this one, you will understand what grace truly is and how much freedom there is in forgiveness before you can ever move forward. In my opinion, by far, Billy's finest novel to date. There is such maturity in his writing this novel that is unparallelled in anything I have read and thus the reason for my 5 out of 5 stars. Looking forward to going even deeper Billy!
March 6, 2014
About the Book:
For the three people tortured by their secret complicity in a young man's untimely death, redemption is what they most long for . . . and the last thing they expect to receive.
It has been twenty years since Philip McBride's body was found along the riverbank in the dark woods known as Happy Hollow. His death was ruled a suicide. But three people have carried the truth ever since--Philip didn't kill himself that day. He was murdered.
Each of the three have wilted in the shadow of their sins. Jake Barnett is Mattingly's sheriff, where he spends his days polishing the fragile shell of the man he pretends to be. His wife, Kate, has convinced herself the good she does for the poor will someday wash the blood from her hands. And high in the mountains, Taylor Hathcock lives in seclusion and fear, fueled by madness and hatred.
Yet what cannot be laid to rest is bound to rise again. Philip McBride has haunted Jake's dreams for weeks, warning that he is coming back for them all. When Taylor finds mysterious footprints leading from the Hollow, he believes his redemption has come. His actions will plunge the quiet town of Mattingly into darkness. These three will be drawn together for a final confrontation between life and death . . . between truth and lies.
About the Author:
Billy Coffey's critically acclaimed books combine rural Southern charm with a vision far beyond the ordinary. He is a regular contributor to several publications, where he writes about faith and life. Billy lives with his wife and two children in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Visit him at www.billycoffey.com.
My Review:
Jake has been having odd dreams ever since the death of a good friend and he finds himself doing the most unspeakable things. He feels that his friend is trying to show him something through his dreams, but what? Soon appearances of odd things start to happen, it's doesn't take Jake long to realize that his friend's death has something to do with it.
Kate does feel some remorse about what happened, but it seems her husband has taken a turn for the worst. She does the only thing she knows to do, help people. She begins trying to learn more of the new girl that moved into town. The girl seems to have something to hide but says nothing of it. Kate can't shake the feeling that something is wrong.
Taylor finds mysterious footprints leading from Happy Hollow. He knows that there's something very odd about that because its footprints coming out not in, whatever made the footprints was already in Happy Hollow. Taylor must find out who came out of Happy Hollow before it's to late.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Litfuse Publicity.
For the three people tortured by their secret complicity in a young man's untimely death, redemption is what they most long for . . . and the last thing they expect to receive.
It has been twenty years since Philip McBride's body was found along the riverbank in the dark woods known as Happy Hollow. His death was ruled a suicide. But three people have carried the truth ever since--Philip didn't kill himself that day. He was murdered.
Each of the three have wilted in the shadow of their sins. Jake Barnett is Mattingly's sheriff, where he spends his days polishing the fragile shell of the man he pretends to be. His wife, Kate, has convinced herself the good she does for the poor will someday wash the blood from her hands. And high in the mountains, Taylor Hathcock lives in seclusion and fear, fueled by madness and hatred.
Yet what cannot be laid to rest is bound to rise again. Philip McBride has haunted Jake's dreams for weeks, warning that he is coming back for them all. When Taylor finds mysterious footprints leading from the Hollow, he believes his redemption has come. His actions will plunge the quiet town of Mattingly into darkness. These three will be drawn together for a final confrontation between life and death . . . between truth and lies.
About the Author:
Billy Coffey's critically acclaimed books combine rural Southern charm with a vision far beyond the ordinary. He is a regular contributor to several publications, where he writes about faith and life. Billy lives with his wife and two children in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Visit him at www.billycoffey.com.
My Review:
Jake has been having odd dreams ever since the death of a good friend and he finds himself doing the most unspeakable things. He feels that his friend is trying to show him something through his dreams, but what? Soon appearances of odd things start to happen, it's doesn't take Jake long to realize that his friend's death has something to do with it.
Kate does feel some remorse about what happened, but it seems her husband has taken a turn for the worst. She does the only thing she knows to do, help people. She begins trying to learn more of the new girl that moved into town. The girl seems to have something to hide but says nothing of it. Kate can't shake the feeling that something is wrong.
Taylor finds mysterious footprints leading from Happy Hollow. He knows that there's something very odd about that because its footprints coming out not in, whatever made the footprints was already in Happy Hollow. Taylor must find out who came out of Happy Hollow before it's to late.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Litfuse Publicity.
August 13, 2014
There are times when I'll stick with something for no other reason than I like the idea of it. So it goes with The Devil Walks in Mattingly. Summarized neatly on the back cover it sounded quite good, but it ended up falling a bit short for me.
The guilt-theme was absolutely beaten to death. By the end of the book I fully believed the entire town was certifiable or at least in need of some serious, long-term therapy.
Sprinkled throughout there was a valiant attempt at suspense. The reader would eventually be treated to a 'big reveal' on certain topics, but after such a lengthy wait these revelations seemed annoying and sometimes unnecessary.
The supernatural/sci-fi'ish theme was pretty much left until the very end. It was rushed, it was filled with holes and it left you with a lingering feeling of...meh.
I don't read a lot of Christian Fiction, so maybe I'm missing something here. Perhaps this was an exceptional book considering the category? I have no idea. However, for someone who reads a wide range of genres this book couldn't hold it's own. It felt thin. Sort of stretched, like... butter scraped over too much bread. (sorry, but sometimes hobbits have a perfect way with words: http://youtu.be/1xSuigFN3oU ).
With all of that said, I didn't dislike this book. It was a decent read offering a message filled with forgiveness, honesty, faith and love. Extra star for the warm fuzzies....
The guilt-theme was absolutely beaten to death. By the end of the book I fully believed the entire town was certifiable or at least in need of some serious, long-term therapy.
Sprinkled throughout there was a valiant attempt at suspense. The reader would eventually be treated to a 'big reveal' on certain topics, but after such a lengthy wait these revelations seemed annoying and sometimes unnecessary.
The supernatural/sci-fi'ish theme was pretty much left until the very end. It was rushed, it was filled with holes and it left you with a lingering feeling of...meh.
I don't read a lot of Christian Fiction, so maybe I'm missing something here. Perhaps this was an exceptional book considering the category? I have no idea. However, for someone who reads a wide range of genres this book couldn't hold it's own. It felt thin. Sort of stretched, like... butter scraped over too much bread. (sorry, but sometimes hobbits have a perfect way with words: http://youtu.be/1xSuigFN3oU ).
With all of that said, I didn't dislike this book. It was a decent read offering a message filled with forgiveness, honesty, faith and love. Extra star for the warm fuzzies....
May 5, 2014
I feel like I am the only person who didn't like this book. I thought it was too long. I don't want to spoil the ending, so I'll just say that I thought the path the author went down was not biblical regarding heaven, death, etc.
January 11, 2015
Couldn't finish it. Life's too short to read bad books.
October 17, 2020
The Devil Walks in Mattingly had been recommended so I really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, the novel dragged on. The characters were unlikeable so I really didn't care what happened to them; they also had these huge guilt complexes about something that happened in the past and when that something was finally revealed, it was anticlimactic. I kept thinking that the characters needed to be introduced to Flora Poste from Cold Comfort Farm. She would have set them straight, rid them of their complexes and had the novel wrapped up in a few pages...
December 29, 2021
I just finished a Charles Martin book, and I get confused between him and Coffey. They are similar in that they hide the Good News in a Fictional story and make you think. A story of love and forgiveness, but at first you think it’s all about hate and revenge. So good. Will keep reading his books.
March 15, 2014
One of my reading goals for this year is to branch out from my usual reading habits and try some new-to-me books and authors.
The Devil Walks in Mattingly by Billy Coffey fits all those criteria, and though I was afraid I'd have to only read this book during the day or when my husband was home, it turns out I had nothing to fear. (Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my review.)
In the sleepy town of Mattingly, Virginia, where nothing much out of the ordinary happens, three of its residents go about their lives but are haunted by an event 20 years in the past. It was the day teenager Philip McBride died. His death was ruled a suicide but these three know the truth: he was killed. Jake Barnett carries shame for what happened that day and how he'll never be the man anyone else wants him to be. His wife, Kate, spends her days logging good deeds done for the poor and unfortunate of Mattingly, hoping it will outweigh the guilt she feels for her part in Philip's death. And Taylor Hathcock, a mountain recluse, believes in his madness the time has come to make it all right.
Plagued by dreams and visions and events that don't make sense, the three are drawn together to reveal the truth that will surprise them all.
And I can't say anymore because I'll give too much away!
What I can say is that Coffey's writing is some of the best I've ever read. He creates deep character points-of-view using a blend of first- and third-person. It was like seeing inside their minds. And he crafts some of the most beautiful sentences I've had the pleasure of reading. He brings to the page the unique pace and wording of the Virginia dialect--philosophical, observational, straightforward, and down-to-earth. It can't be easy to create such believable prose. It was not limited to dialogue. The whole book was full of these gently rolling sentences full of truth.
Consider these words from the opening page:
I come to this place of darkness because it is where the light of heaven once touched. I come here for the ones who were saved on a night long ago and for the ones lost. I come because heaven is not without the past.
Even as I re-read the first pages, which are titled "The End," I noticed clues to the story I hadn't picked up on at first. The Devil Walks in Mattingly is layered, and I think reading it through once won't be enough.
While I was waiting for the book to arrive, I visited Billy Coffey's website to get a feel for this new-to-me author. Check it out. He had me at "hello," basically, with his talk of front porches and hospitality. I'm planning another trip to Mattingly in the near future. (A note in the book said that all his novels take place in Mattingly.)
Will this book give you nightmares? No. Will it make you uncomfortable at times? Yes. Will it leave you with hope? Definitely.
The Devil Walks in Mattingly by Billy Coffey fits all those criteria, and though I was afraid I'd have to only read this book during the day or when my husband was home, it turns out I had nothing to fear. (Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my review.)
In the sleepy town of Mattingly, Virginia, where nothing much out of the ordinary happens, three of its residents go about their lives but are haunted by an event 20 years in the past. It was the day teenager Philip McBride died. His death was ruled a suicide but these three know the truth: he was killed. Jake Barnett carries shame for what happened that day and how he'll never be the man anyone else wants him to be. His wife, Kate, spends her days logging good deeds done for the poor and unfortunate of Mattingly, hoping it will outweigh the guilt she feels for her part in Philip's death. And Taylor Hathcock, a mountain recluse, believes in his madness the time has come to make it all right.
Plagued by dreams and visions and events that don't make sense, the three are drawn together to reveal the truth that will surprise them all.
And I can't say anymore because I'll give too much away!
What I can say is that Coffey's writing is some of the best I've ever read. He creates deep character points-of-view using a blend of first- and third-person. It was like seeing inside their minds. And he crafts some of the most beautiful sentences I've had the pleasure of reading. He brings to the page the unique pace and wording of the Virginia dialect--philosophical, observational, straightforward, and down-to-earth. It can't be easy to create such believable prose. It was not limited to dialogue. The whole book was full of these gently rolling sentences full of truth.
Consider these words from the opening page:
I come to this place of darkness because it is where the light of heaven once touched. I come here for the ones who were saved on a night long ago and for the ones lost. I come because heaven is not without the past.
Even as I re-read the first pages, which are titled "The End," I noticed clues to the story I hadn't picked up on at first. The Devil Walks in Mattingly is layered, and I think reading it through once won't be enough.
While I was waiting for the book to arrive, I visited Billy Coffey's website to get a feel for this new-to-me author. Check it out. He had me at "hello," basically, with his talk of front porches and hospitality. I'm planning another trip to Mattingly in the near future. (A note in the book said that all his novels take place in Mattingly.)
Will this book give you nightmares? No. Will it make you uncomfortable at times? Yes. Will it leave you with hope? Definitely.
March 10, 2014
Twenty years ago, Philip McBride died in Happy Hollow. His death was ruled a suicide but was it just a tragic accident? Or was his death something far more sinister? In Billy Coffey's The Devil Walks in Mattingly, only one person knows the truth about what happened that day, but three people are tortured by their actions that may have led to Phillip's death.
Neither the past nor secrets truly remain hidden and no one is more aware of that than the sheriff of Mattingly, Jake Barnett. He is slowly being crushed by the weight of the events from twenty years ago as night after night in his dreams, he relives that day over and over. His wife Kate desperately tries to make amends for her role through good works, but she can never fully escape from her guilt. Taylor Hathcock's grip on reality is forever altered and he sets in motion a devastating chain of events in the present that will eventually make all three of them face what happened on that long ago day.
The Devil Walks in Mattingly is told from each of the key players points of view. Matt's character speaks in first person and his exhaustion, shame and despair are keenly felt throughout the novel. Kate's character always feels a little distant and removed since there is little context for her overwhelming need for penance. Taylor is the most confusing character because it is obvious that he is mentally unstable and there appears to be no rational reason for what he is seeking.
The most compelling of all the characters is not a person, but a place. Commonly referred to as the holler by the locals, Happy Hollow is a place to be avoided but reaching the gate to the holler is a rite of passage for most of the men in Mattingly. The holler is alive with what feels like an evil presence and few dare to venture into the malevolent forest. But it is always clear the holler is key to the unfolding story: Philip died within the holler, Taylor now makes his home in the holler and Jake steers clear of the holler at all costs. But the holler is where supernatural forces will provide salvation and quite possibly redemption, for Taylor, Jake and Kate.
The Devil Walks in Mattingly is not an action packed novel that moves at breakneck speed. It is a slow moving story that builds little by little to a rather impressive and dramatic conclusion that offers almost all of the answers that the readers and the characters have been searching for. But there is one intriguing secret of the holler that remains hidden but since Mattingly is also the setting of Billy Coffey's previous novels, I can only hope he plans to eventually reveal the truth in a future release.
Neither the past nor secrets truly remain hidden and no one is more aware of that than the sheriff of Mattingly, Jake Barnett. He is slowly being crushed by the weight of the events from twenty years ago as night after night in his dreams, he relives that day over and over. His wife Kate desperately tries to make amends for her role through good works, but she can never fully escape from her guilt. Taylor Hathcock's grip on reality is forever altered and he sets in motion a devastating chain of events in the present that will eventually make all three of them face what happened on that long ago day.
The Devil Walks in Mattingly is told from each of the key players points of view. Matt's character speaks in first person and his exhaustion, shame and despair are keenly felt throughout the novel. Kate's character always feels a little distant and removed since there is little context for her overwhelming need for penance. Taylor is the most confusing character because it is obvious that he is mentally unstable and there appears to be no rational reason for what he is seeking.
The most compelling of all the characters is not a person, but a place. Commonly referred to as the holler by the locals, Happy Hollow is a place to be avoided but reaching the gate to the holler is a rite of passage for most of the men in Mattingly. The holler is alive with what feels like an evil presence and few dare to venture into the malevolent forest. But it is always clear the holler is key to the unfolding story: Philip died within the holler, Taylor now makes his home in the holler and Jake steers clear of the holler at all costs. But the holler is where supernatural forces will provide salvation and quite possibly redemption, for Taylor, Jake and Kate.
The Devil Walks in Mattingly is not an action packed novel that moves at breakneck speed. It is a slow moving story that builds little by little to a rather impressive and dramatic conclusion that offers almost all of the answers that the readers and the characters have been searching for. But there is one intriguing secret of the holler that remains hidden but since Mattingly is also the setting of Billy Coffey's previous novels, I can only hope he plans to eventually reveal the truth in a future release.
March 30, 2014
Do you remember the time you picked up a book by an author that you hadn’t read? The queasiness and unease that you felt? Should you spend the money on the unknown author, or pick up the book by an author that you already know that you’ll enjoy the book? Those were the feelings that I had after I requested this book. Come with me and let’s peel the cover back together and find out if I made the right choice or not.
Three lives forever changed by the death of one young man. Three lives searching for redemption but not expecting it to ever be extended to them. As they all struggle with the guilt that comes from this single event, things begin to take on a strange life of their own. Jake know what was happening but did nothing, his wife, Kate, shares his guilt over what has happened and Taylor is starting to come apart. As super-natural occurrences continue in Happy Hollow, the three of them have increasingly hard times figuring truth from fiction. Did one of them really kill Phillip? Will forgiveness be extended to any of them, do them even deserve it? Is the happenings real or is it just their guilt manifesting itself into reality? Don’t keep your head up in the holler, go BUY THIS BOOK!!
I will admit that this book was tough to get into and tough to follow. The writing style of the author is more poetic and rhythmic than I’m normally used to reading. The characters and descriptions provided are very detailed and specific. This tends to bog down my enjoyment as sometimes I think authors can provide too much information as they are establishing their story. The plot of “Thin Places” is a new one to me, so this book was interesting and not something that I have read before, so from that aspect this was new and kept me coming back for more. The mystery and supernatural elements are pretty obvious, but the Christian element is left in the background.
Is this a "guy's book"? This book does not provide you with all of the normal mind-blowing, car-chasing suspense novels that I normally review on here. This is more of an allegory, but one that tells a great story if you can slow your pace down to fully enjoy what the author is trying to share with you.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Three lives forever changed by the death of one young man. Three lives searching for redemption but not expecting it to ever be extended to them. As they all struggle with the guilt that comes from this single event, things begin to take on a strange life of their own. Jake know what was happening but did nothing, his wife, Kate, shares his guilt over what has happened and Taylor is starting to come apart. As super-natural occurrences continue in Happy Hollow, the three of them have increasingly hard times figuring truth from fiction. Did one of them really kill Phillip? Will forgiveness be extended to any of them, do them even deserve it? Is the happenings real or is it just their guilt manifesting itself into reality? Don’t keep your head up in the holler, go BUY THIS BOOK!!
I will admit that this book was tough to get into and tough to follow. The writing style of the author is more poetic and rhythmic than I’m normally used to reading. The characters and descriptions provided are very detailed and specific. This tends to bog down my enjoyment as sometimes I think authors can provide too much information as they are establishing their story. The plot of “Thin Places” is a new one to me, so this book was interesting and not something that I have read before, so from that aspect this was new and kept me coming back for more. The mystery and supernatural elements are pretty obvious, but the Christian element is left in the background.
Is this a "guy's book"? This book does not provide you with all of the normal mind-blowing, car-chasing suspense novels that I normally review on here. This is more of an allegory, but one that tells a great story if you can slow your pace down to fully enjoy what the author is trying to share with you.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
April 6, 2017
First Sentence: I sat on the edge of Zach’s bed and stared at the small town of LEGOs and Matchbox cars that covered the floor.
Mattingly is a very small town set in the mountains—old mountains filled with secrets--of Western Virginia. A boy died there 20 years ago. Although ruled a suicide, three people’s lives are still haunted by that death; the sheriff, his wife, and a hermit. Still, the events of the past also impact the life of a younger generation; Lucy Seekins. Can they find redemption at last?
From the very start, one is captivated by Coffey’s voice—“I come to this place of darkness because it is where the light of heaven once touched. I come here for the ones who were saved on a night long ago and for the ones lost. I come because heaven is not without the past.” There is so much here that causes one to stop and consider—“I come into this world pure and unblemished, but I will leave it bearing all of my scars. My comfort rests in a grace that will mold those scars into the jewels of my crown.”
There is a hint of the paranormal, which adds an intriguing element and would make for a fascinating topic of discussion as to what it is; what it represents, of what is real and what is not.
Coffey’s powers of description create a sense of place which places the reader directly into the story—“Frogs sang along a prattling creek beyond the open window. Far away a train whistled as it lumbered through the center of town.” Coffey is one of those authors whose words can strike such a cord, one may feel the need to record and preserve them—“Because to those great watching eyes, the world is always neither bright nor dim. Because there is darkness in man and also a light, and by their mingling with world lies at eventide.”
In the midst of everything we, the readers, are trying to understand, comes a classic, ordinary plot twist. One can become taken with the imagery, yet still be reminded that there is a good, often suspenseful, story being told. At the same time, there is a strong spiritual theme and a reminder of the good that can come with simple beliefs—“Despite what Kate and Taylor and I always thought, it was choice rather than fate that governed our lives.” And who doesn’t love a book that includes a quote from poem “A Dream Within a Dream” by Edgar Allan Poe.
“The Devil Walks in Mattingly” is a wonderful read with a bit of everything, spirituality, suspense, just a very small touch of the paranormal, the price of sins and pride but followed by redemption.
THE DEVIL WALKS IN MATTINGLY (Novel-Jake/Kate/Taylor-Virginia-Contemp) – VG+
Coffey, Billy – Standalone
Thomas Nelson – March 2014
Mattingly is a very small town set in the mountains—old mountains filled with secrets--of Western Virginia. A boy died there 20 years ago. Although ruled a suicide, three people’s lives are still haunted by that death; the sheriff, his wife, and a hermit. Still, the events of the past also impact the life of a younger generation; Lucy Seekins. Can they find redemption at last?
From the very start, one is captivated by Coffey’s voice—“I come to this place of darkness because it is where the light of heaven once touched. I come here for the ones who were saved on a night long ago and for the ones lost. I come because heaven is not without the past.” There is so much here that causes one to stop and consider—“I come into this world pure and unblemished, but I will leave it bearing all of my scars. My comfort rests in a grace that will mold those scars into the jewels of my crown.”
There is a hint of the paranormal, which adds an intriguing element and would make for a fascinating topic of discussion as to what it is; what it represents, of what is real and what is not.
Coffey’s powers of description create a sense of place which places the reader directly into the story—“Frogs sang along a prattling creek beyond the open window. Far away a train whistled as it lumbered through the center of town.” Coffey is one of those authors whose words can strike such a cord, one may feel the need to record and preserve them—“Because to those great watching eyes, the world is always neither bright nor dim. Because there is darkness in man and also a light, and by their mingling with world lies at eventide.”
In the midst of everything we, the readers, are trying to understand, comes a classic, ordinary plot twist. One can become taken with the imagery, yet still be reminded that there is a good, often suspenseful, story being told. At the same time, there is a strong spiritual theme and a reminder of the good that can come with simple beliefs—“Despite what Kate and Taylor and I always thought, it was choice rather than fate that governed our lives.” And who doesn’t love a book that includes a quote from poem “A Dream Within a Dream” by Edgar Allan Poe.
“The Devil Walks in Mattingly” is a wonderful read with a bit of everything, spirituality, suspense, just a very small touch of the paranormal, the price of sins and pride but followed by redemption.
THE DEVIL WALKS IN MATTINGLY (Novel-Jake/Kate/Taylor-Virginia-Contemp) – VG+
Coffey, Billy – Standalone
Thomas Nelson – March 2014
January 16, 2016
REVIEW
The title gave me the feeling that this would be one of those books you only read with someone around. I love scary stories but for some reason the cover of the book kind of gave me chills for some reason. This was definitely one I had to read.
I read that all of the author's stories are written with Mattingly, Virginia as the setting. So that's where this book begins. Mattingly on the surface appears to be a quiet, small town where nothing exciting happens.
The author takes you back 20 years when Philip McBride, a teenager died. Now three citizens of Mattingly go about their daily lives but they have always been haunted by that day. The three know for a fact that Philip's death was not a suicide but a murder. Jake Barnett and his wife do good deeds, hoping that will make the shame of Philip's death better. The guilt is eating them up. One of the other three, Taylor Hathcock who became a recluse in the mountains, in his insane thinking believes it's time to bring the truth out.
The three can't come close to living a normal life. It has affected everyone they are close to. The three have nightmares, they see things that aren't there. Will they bring the truth forth?
The author kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. I never felt like putting the book down. The author's writing is almost poetic. He uses a mix of first and third persons views. His writing is so grounded. He doesn't use a bunch of fancy words, bogging the reader down. Just plain Virginia talk. The writing, I found to be so smooth, not choppy. I just c couldn't get enough or read fast enough. What a read! The first chapter is titled THE END. How intriguing. What will happen to the three? Will they find redemption or will Philip continue to haunt them in Mattingly?
I would recommend this book to everyone. A good haunting tale of death coming back to haunt the guilty.
I was given a complimentary copy of THE DEVIL WALKS IN MATTINGLY by Billy Coffey from Litfuse Publicity Group for my honest view. No other compensation took place.
The title gave me the feeling that this would be one of those books you only read with someone around. I love scary stories but for some reason the cover of the book kind of gave me chills for some reason. This was definitely one I had to read.
I read that all of the author's stories are written with Mattingly, Virginia as the setting. So that's where this book begins. Mattingly on the surface appears to be a quiet, small town where nothing exciting happens.
The author takes you back 20 years when Philip McBride, a teenager died. Now three citizens of Mattingly go about their daily lives but they have always been haunted by that day. The three know for a fact that Philip's death was not a suicide but a murder. Jake Barnett and his wife do good deeds, hoping that will make the shame of Philip's death better. The guilt is eating them up. One of the other three, Taylor Hathcock who became a recluse in the mountains, in his insane thinking believes it's time to bring the truth out.
The three can't come close to living a normal life. It has affected everyone they are close to. The three have nightmares, they see things that aren't there. Will they bring the truth forth?
The author kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. I never felt like putting the book down. The author's writing is almost poetic. He uses a mix of first and third persons views. His writing is so grounded. He doesn't use a bunch of fancy words, bogging the reader down. Just plain Virginia talk. The writing, I found to be so smooth, not choppy. I just c couldn't get enough or read fast enough. What a read! The first chapter is titled THE END. How intriguing. What will happen to the three? Will they find redemption or will Philip continue to haunt them in Mattingly?
I would recommend this book to everyone. A good haunting tale of death coming back to haunt the guilty.
I was given a complimentary copy of THE DEVIL WALKS IN MATTINGLY by Billy Coffey from Litfuse Publicity Group for my honest view. No other compensation took place.
March 19, 2014
The Devil Walks in Mattingly is not your typical Christian fiction novel. But then Billy Coffey is not your typical Christian novelist.
If you are looking for a safe, comfortable book that tells a sweet story and doesn't challenge your beliefs in any way, this is NOT it. This is a book that will keep you awake at night, empathizing with the "bad" guy and doubting the "good" guy. You'll find yourself questioning your own choices and actions in your life along the way. Every last character in this book holds a mirror back at the reader. You can't help but reflect and ask yourself, "What would I have done in that situation?" "Did I ever do anything like that?" "What is my motivation behind my choices?"
Billy Coffey has a rare gift, similar to that of Mitch Albom. He can see deeply into the human soul and carefully examine it with the tender loving care of someone handling a fragile and precious item. Most importantly, he expresses his discoveries in a way that is not preachy or pretentious. His characters are simple, everyday people that talk in simple, everyday language. There is no complex theological discussion, only simple and profound revelations like, "Heaven is not without the past" and "It was pride, not fear" that kept Jake from telling his wife his deepest, darkest secret.
The Devil Walks in Mattingly is about stupid mistakes, wrong choices, fear, pride, forgiveness, and healing, but ultimately about redemption. It is a decades-long journey of scars, tears, nightmares and secrets that must be set right so each individual can find peace. Every turn of a page leads to thought-provoking insight.
If you enjoyed The Devil Walks in Mattingly, you MUST read Paper Angels, which is definitely my favorite Billy Coffey novel.
If you are looking for a safe, comfortable book that tells a sweet story and doesn't challenge your beliefs in any way, this is NOT it. This is a book that will keep you awake at night, empathizing with the "bad" guy and doubting the "good" guy. You'll find yourself questioning your own choices and actions in your life along the way. Every last character in this book holds a mirror back at the reader. You can't help but reflect and ask yourself, "What would I have done in that situation?" "Did I ever do anything like that?" "What is my motivation behind my choices?"
Billy Coffey has a rare gift, similar to that of Mitch Albom. He can see deeply into the human soul and carefully examine it with the tender loving care of someone handling a fragile and precious item. Most importantly, he expresses his discoveries in a way that is not preachy or pretentious. His characters are simple, everyday people that talk in simple, everyday language. There is no complex theological discussion, only simple and profound revelations like, "Heaven is not without the past" and "It was pride, not fear" that kept Jake from telling his wife his deepest, darkest secret.
The Devil Walks in Mattingly is about stupid mistakes, wrong choices, fear, pride, forgiveness, and healing, but ultimately about redemption. It is a decades-long journey of scars, tears, nightmares and secrets that must be set right so each individual can find peace. Every turn of a page leads to thought-provoking insight.
If you enjoyed The Devil Walks in Mattingly, you MUST read Paper Angels, which is definitely my favorite Billy Coffey novel.
March 11, 2014
I became a fan of Billy Coffey's writing years ago, devouring his regular blog posts before he published his first book.
Then came Snow Day, Paper Angels and When Mockingbirds Sing. I have savoured each novel, always looking forward to the next.
The Devil Walks in Mattingly is a deeper, darker tale, previewed on the back cover with the following words:
"For the three people tortured by their secret complicity in a young man's untimely death, redemption is what they most long for . . . and the last thing they expect to receive."
As I writer, I read not only for content, but for the taste and feel of the words themselves. I was not disappointed, like his other works, from beginning to end, Billy's prose remains stunningly lyrical.
"I come to this place of darkness because it is where the light of heaven once touched. I come here for the ones who were saved on a night long ago and for the ones lost.
I come because heaven is not without the past."
These are characters that dug their way into my heart, both heroes and antiheroes. My concern for each kept me turning page after page, hungry to discover what would happen next. I was moved in the darkness to each shining patch of light.
My only complaint is that this novel deprived me of sleep and distracted me from my own work. Yes, it IS that good.
You owe it to yourself to read The Devil Walks in Mattingly as well as Billy's older books, and make sure to catch up with him on his blog What I Learned Today where he shares day to day truths with home town warmth and skill.
Then came Snow Day, Paper Angels and When Mockingbirds Sing. I have savoured each novel, always looking forward to the next.
The Devil Walks in Mattingly is a deeper, darker tale, previewed on the back cover with the following words:
"For the three people tortured by their secret complicity in a young man's untimely death, redemption is what they most long for . . . and the last thing they expect to receive."
As I writer, I read not only for content, but for the taste and feel of the words themselves. I was not disappointed, like his other works, from beginning to end, Billy's prose remains stunningly lyrical.
"I come to this place of darkness because it is where the light of heaven once touched. I come here for the ones who were saved on a night long ago and for the ones lost.
I come because heaven is not without the past."
These are characters that dug their way into my heart, both heroes and antiheroes. My concern for each kept me turning page after page, hungry to discover what would happen next. I was moved in the darkness to each shining patch of light.
My only complaint is that this novel deprived me of sleep and distracted me from my own work. Yes, it IS that good.
You owe it to yourself to read The Devil Walks in Mattingly as well as Billy's older books, and make sure to catch up with him on his blog What I Learned Today where he shares day to day truths with home town warmth and skill.
August 12, 2016
The Devil Walks In Mattingly
By: Billy Coffey
Billy Coffey is an author I will read over and over. The Devil Walks In Mattingly happens four years before When Mockingbirds Sing, but you can read his books in any order. Each story stands alone.
Jake Barnett, Kate Barnett, and Taylor Hathcock are the only ones who really know what happened to Phillip McBride. Was it a suicide like everyone thinks or did something more sinister happen? Jake, Kate, Taylor, and Phillip are forged together due to their pasts, but then something goes terribly wrong that follows them the rest of their days. Now their past is here to haunt them in the here and now.
“We all had secrets we kept and lies we told, and often the greatest among them were the ones we kept from and told to ourselves.” Happy Hollow, the place where nightmares are born. The past, where anything was possible. The present, where the past comes back to set right the actions of the past. Redemption may never be found, but the end is coming. Some people run from their pasts; others live it in. But when the past comes at you, it’s time to face it head on.
Like to read a suspenseful mystery thriller? This is the one book you have to read. Once you start it, you won’t dare put it down until you know the last detail of what happened twenty years ago.
By: Billy Coffey
Billy Coffey is an author I will read over and over. The Devil Walks In Mattingly happens four years before When Mockingbirds Sing, but you can read his books in any order. Each story stands alone.
Jake Barnett, Kate Barnett, and Taylor Hathcock are the only ones who really know what happened to Phillip McBride. Was it a suicide like everyone thinks or did something more sinister happen? Jake, Kate, Taylor, and Phillip are forged together due to their pasts, but then something goes terribly wrong that follows them the rest of their days. Now their past is here to haunt them in the here and now.
“We all had secrets we kept and lies we told, and often the greatest among them were the ones we kept from and told to ourselves.” Happy Hollow, the place where nightmares are born. The past, where anything was possible. The present, where the past comes back to set right the actions of the past. Redemption may never be found, but the end is coming. Some people run from their pasts; others live it in. But when the past comes at you, it’s time to face it head on.
Like to read a suspenseful mystery thriller? This is the one book you have to read. Once you start it, you won’t dare put it down until you know the last detail of what happened twenty years ago.
March 12, 2014
I really liked his previous book, When Mockingbirds Sing. This book goes back in time and gives you the back story. He weaves a tale that draws you in and keeps you there by visiting the timeless story lines of grace and redemption. I downloaded it and read it right away. Three people could be held responsible for a murder. Who really was the murderer and why doesn't anyone not involved, not know anything about it? Was it an accident or something much worse? But as secrets always do, they eek out. Usually at the least inopportune moment. I think the best part is after you finish, you are left supposing for days on how it all worked out, or didn't. Pondering how we all influence each other and whether it is for good or evil. Where do you stand, and how will you get to where you want to be? Are we justified in our actions and our feeble attempts at redemption? He throws out all these webs and slowly reveals how they are all connected to one fatal moment. There are lessons to be savored and built upon. Of course, if you don't want to think very deep about what it all might mean, it is fun read that is a new direction I wouldn't have guessed he would take, but I am awfully glad he did.
November 2, 2016
Coffey’s latest has a decidedly gothic feel, but gets very bogged down with timeline issues. The inciting incident that drives the entire story is not revealed until the end, and by that time it is nearly irrelevant. None of the characters are sympathetic, and this is a difficult book to follow.
Twenty years ago, Jake and Kate Barnett’s classmate, Phillip McBride, was found dead in the woods, apparently by suicide. Neither Jake nor Kate has talked about their roles, but both feel individually responsible for what happened to Phillip. The two have spent their lives trying to make up for it. Yet when mysterious mountain-dweller Taylor makes his way to town and begins to cause havoc, Jake and Kate’s balanced world is turned upside down. Can they come to terms with the past in order to save their town?
https://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-re...
Twenty years ago, Jake and Kate Barnett’s classmate, Phillip McBride, was found dead in the woods, apparently by suicide. Neither Jake nor Kate has talked about their roles, but both feel individually responsible for what happened to Phillip. The two have spent their lives trying to make up for it. Yet when mysterious mountain-dweller Taylor makes his way to town and begins to cause havoc, Jake and Kate’s balanced world is turned upside down. Can they come to terms with the past in order to save their town?
https://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-re...
Read
November 12, 2022My birthday 11/10/2014, Also in trilogy 6/15/20
It was past time for the third or fourth reading of this trilogy. I love the way Billy Coffey brings us a story. He can make your heart sing, or feel trampled near to death, occasionally in the same paragraph. I was swayed to start with 'The Devil Walks in Mattingly'. It's small town Blue Ridge high school, finals are over, graduation is mere days away, and seniors are collected at the football stadium, wasting time, and making mischief. For Phillip McBride, the day will end in his death, perhaps by his own hand. For Kate, Jake, and Taylor, the careless events on that day will steer their lives in many negative, unseen ways for the next 20 years. When the truth will out, will it create a sense of freedom, or emphasize their heartfelt guilt?
It was past time for the third or fourth reading of this trilogy. I love the way Billy Coffey brings us a story. He can make your heart sing, or feel trampled near to death, occasionally in the same paragraph. I was swayed to start with 'The Devil Walks in Mattingly'. It's small town Blue Ridge high school, finals are over, graduation is mere days away, and seniors are collected at the football stadium, wasting time, and making mischief. For Phillip McBride, the day will end in his death, perhaps by his own hand. For Kate, Jake, and Taylor, the careless events on that day will steer their lives in many negative, unseen ways for the next 20 years. When the truth will out, will it create a sense of freedom, or emphasize their heartfelt guilt?
January 27, 2020
I have never opened a Bill Coffey novel. From what I understand, they all share the setting. I am not even sure how this book ended up in my Kindle- a recommendation from The Modern Mrs. Darcy perhaps. All I know was I was spellbound. The writing was exceptional. Coffey inserts nuggets of wisdom throughout the book. They are subtle little phrases or passages, ones that make you pause subtly and worm their way into your consciousness because their truth is undeniable.
I could not describe the plot. Well, I could, but it would sound unappealing in my reporting the details. The details weave together and are revealed in a magical way.
The novel is about our pasts. Coffey says that those pasts follow us even to Heaven. It is about grace, and how difficult grace is to give. It is about love and forgiveness, about life and death, and things we just cannot explain.
I could not describe the plot. Well, I could, but it would sound unappealing in my reporting the details. The details weave together and are revealed in a magical way.
The novel is about our pasts. Coffey says that those pasts follow us even to Heaven. It is about grace, and how difficult grace is to give. It is about love and forgiveness, about life and death, and things we just cannot explain.
February 18, 2017
I spent most of my time reading this book not liking it. Too much time spent on inner turmoil with no background, inner dialogue with a lot of reflection (often with not enough information), and not a lot of character development. Most of the book was spent trying to figure out the secret of what happened, but in a frustrating "spill it already!" sort of way. It wasn't until the last 50 pages that things finally got interesting.
September 14, 2014
Really liked the concept, characters, setting and style of writing. Didn't rate this higher because -- as much as I liked them -- some of the characters' motivations and choices just didn't ring true, unlike the supernatural aspects of the book. Will be reading more by Mr Coffey.
December 3, 2014
this was a good book from start to finish! it had so many twists and turns, that it left you wanting to read more! Not to mention, Billy Coffey's southern style of writing made the book very enchanting! Definitely a must read!
September 22, 2016
Coffey's books are pure magic. It's a mystical wonderland of sensation and nostalgia combined with enough truth to make every book a sensory delight. He is one-of-a-kind in Christian fiction.
February 19, 2024
I bought the Billy Coffey collection because it sounded interesting and I'm doing a read-along of The Devil Walks in Mattingly with some book friends. Come to find out, while not *technically* a series, the books do have a chronological order, even though they aren't in that order in the collection, nor do you have to read them in that order. But if you WANT to, like I do, the The Devil Walks in Mattingly is first, then When Mockingbirds Sing, and lastly, In the Heart of the Dark Woods.
The Devil Walks in Mattingly is a study of guilt, self-imposed isolation (even when surrounded by others), the lies we tell ourselves and others, and the power of love and forgiveness, all bound together with a supernatural twist.
The book got off to a fairly slow start, gradually building the tension, until everything starts to really pick up in Part V, and it all comes to a head in Part VI. I thought I had figured out who had done what, but the twist towards the end really threw me. The book left me with mixed feelings, and I had a hard time deciding what to write in this review.
While I enjoyed TDWIM overall, and it held my attention fairly well, especially through the last two parts, I'm not entirely sure what to think about the ending... I still have so many questions (some of which may be spoilers, so BEWARE!). Where does the Hole lead to? Why did it appear there in the Hollow? What was the bear's purpose? Are all the watchers in the Hollow demons, lost souls, something else? And what's trapped them there in the Hollow? Was the thing next to Lucy Philip or something worse? What happened to Lucy????
I'm not sure if any of these will be answered in When Mockingbirds Sing, but that's where I'm off to next!
The Devil Walks in Mattingly is a study of guilt, self-imposed isolation (even when surrounded by others), the lies we tell ourselves and others, and the power of love and forgiveness, all bound together with a supernatural twist.
The book got off to a fairly slow start, gradually building the tension, until everything starts to really pick up in Part V, and it all comes to a head in Part VI. I thought I had figured out who had done what, but the twist towards the end really threw me. The book left me with mixed feelings, and I had a hard time deciding what to write in this review.
While I enjoyed TDWIM overall, and it held my attention fairly well, especially through the last two parts, I'm not entirely sure what to think about the ending... I still have so many questions (some of which may be spoilers, so BEWARE!). Where does the Hole lead to? Why did it appear there in the Hollow? What was the bear's purpose? Are all the watchers in the Hollow demons, lost souls, something else? And what's trapped them there in the Hollow? Was the thing next to Lucy Philip or something worse? What happened to Lucy????
I'm not sure if any of these will be answered in When Mockingbirds Sing, but that's where I'm off to next!
December 26, 2023
Jake Barnet, the sheriff of Mattingly, WV, is having difficulty sleeping. He's haunted by the events of around 20 years ago that involve the death of one of his high school classmates. His wife, Kate, is also filled with guilt over this boy's death. Gradually, the book reveals what happened and lets the reader be the judge of who deserves the blame over this young man's death. Throw in a madman who lives in the nearby haunted woods and you have one heck of a story.
First, Billy Coffey is an amazing story teller. He writes a beautifully and keeps the reader interested the whole way through. So why did I only give the story 3 stars? It's complicated. Although the story is good, it's sad and frustrating to watch the 2 main characters (Jake and Kate) bumble their painful way through life the way they have. My other beef is that although the story is billed as being Christian, the theology seems way off. Instead of turning to God to deal with the tragedy, Jake and Kate continue to suffer and ignore what God offers to them (and all of us). They do this despite the fact that they go to church every Sunday. Further, the author seems to have some weird theology that people from heaven can come to earth and interact with living people. He also seems to think most people goes to heaven regardless of belief in Jesus. If you're going to say this book is a Christian novel, at least stick to what the Bible teaches. Just my two cents...
First, Billy Coffey is an amazing story teller. He writes a beautifully and keeps the reader interested the whole way through. So why did I only give the story 3 stars? It's complicated. Although the story is good, it's sad and frustrating to watch the 2 main characters (Jake and Kate) bumble their painful way through life the way they have. My other beef is that although the story is billed as being Christian, the theology seems way off. Instead of turning to God to deal with the tragedy, Jake and Kate continue to suffer and ignore what God offers to them (and all of us). They do this despite the fact that they go to church every Sunday. Further, the author seems to have some weird theology that people from heaven can come to earth and interact with living people. He also seems to think most people goes to heaven regardless of belief in Jesus. If you're going to say this book is a Christian novel, at least stick to what the Bible teaches. Just my two cents...
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