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Matthew Corbett #5
The River of Souls
The year is 1703. The place: the Carolina settlement of Charles Town. . Matthew Corbett, professional “problem solver,” has accepted a lucrative, if unusual, commission: escorting a beautiful woman to a fancy dress ball.
What should be a pleasant assignment takes a darker turn when Matthew becomes involved in a murder investigation. A sixteen-year-old girl has been stabbed to death on the grounds of a local plantation. The suspected killer is a slave who has escaped, with two family members, into the dubious protection of a nearby swamp. Troubled by certain discrepancies and determined to see some sort of justice done, Matthew joins the hunt for the runaway slaves. He embarks on a treacherous journey up the Solstice River, also known as the River of Souls. He discovers that something born of the swamp has joined the hunt… and is stalking the hunters with more than murder in mind.
What follows is a shattering ordeal encompassing snakes, alligators, exiled savages, mythical beasts, and ordinary human treachery. The journey up the River of Souls will test the limits of Matthew’s endurance, and lead him through a nightmarish passage to a confrontation with his past, and a moment that will alter his life forever.
Gripping, unsettling, and richly atmospheric, The River of Souls is a masterful historical adventure featuring the continuing exploits of a young hero the USA Character Approved Blog has called “the Early American James Bond.”
What should be a pleasant assignment takes a darker turn when Matthew becomes involved in a murder investigation. A sixteen-year-old girl has been stabbed to death on the grounds of a local plantation. The suspected killer is a slave who has escaped, with two family members, into the dubious protection of a nearby swamp. Troubled by certain discrepancies and determined to see some sort of justice done, Matthew joins the hunt for the runaway slaves. He embarks on a treacherous journey up the Solstice River, also known as the River of Souls. He discovers that something born of the swamp has joined the hunt… and is stalking the hunters with more than murder in mind.
What follows is a shattering ordeal encompassing snakes, alligators, exiled savages, mythical beasts, and ordinary human treachery. The journey up the River of Souls will test the limits of Matthew’s endurance, and lead him through a nightmarish passage to a confrontation with his past, and a moment that will alter his life forever.
Gripping, unsettling, and richly atmospheric, The River of Souls is a masterful historical adventure featuring the continuing exploits of a young hero the USA Character Approved Blog has called “the Early American James Bond.”
257 pages, Hardcover
First published May 30, 2014
183 people are currently reading
2200 people want to read
About the author
Robert McCammon
167 books5,737 followersPseudonyms: Robert R. McCammon; Robert Rick McCammon
Robert McCammon was a full-time horror writer for many years. Among his many popular novels were the classics Boy's Life and Swan Song. After taking a hiatus for his family, he returned to writing with an interest in historical fiction.
His newest book, Leviathan, is the tenth and final book in the Matthew Corbett series. It was published in trade hardcover (Lividian Publications), ebook (Open Road), and audiobook (Audible) formats on December 3, 2024.
McCammon resides in Birmingham, Alabama.
Robert McCammon was a full-time horror writer for many years. Among his many popular novels were the classics Boy's Life and Swan Song. After taking a hiatus for his family, he returned to writing with an interest in historical fiction.
His newest book, Leviathan, is the tenth and final book in the Matthew Corbett series. It was published in trade hardcover (Lividian Publications), ebook (Open Road), and audiobook (Audible) formats on December 3, 2024.
McCammon resides in Birmingham, Alabama.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews
August 7, 2022
What a cliffhanger! The River of Souls is an excellent addition to the series!
Don’t read my spoiler rant if you haven’t read the book.
Rant: (It doesn't take away from how much I love this book. I'm just being a little bitch right now. 🤣😂)
I hate that
Okay, now that I have that off my chest, I can get to the review. 🧐
The series is part historical fiction, mystery and horror all rolled up into a fantastic and fun series to read. The characters, the action and all the crazy fuckery that goes on in these books will leave you with strange visions in your head for years.
The characters are well loved or extremely hated. It's really hard to go into these books without having some sort of an emotional reaction to the characters or the situations that happen.
It’s great writing and storytelling!
The River of Souls starts off with Matthew getting out of New York and heading to Charles Town for an easy case.
He needs to take a woman to a dance.
Sounds like it would be an simple task, right?
What Matthew doesn’t know is that all of the women’s suitors are called out for a duel or chased out of town. He gets pulled into a one-sided love relationship that he wasn’t prepared for.
Matthew gets to meet the wonderful character, Magnus Muldoon at a dance and after that chance meeting, the book completely changes tone.
It’s a new adventure up the Solstice River, aka, the River of Souls. The river goes through the swamp lands of South Carolina and is a place of mystery and death.
A murder on a plantation happens near the river.
Matthew, Magnus and others must follow the river for a manhunt of the suspected killer.
Abram, a slave on the plantation is the suspected killer but Matthew and Magnus have their doubts.
How can Matthew prove Abrams' innocence in a world that's set in the 1700s and slaves don't have a voice or any basic rights yet?!
I’m super excited to get to the next book in the series after that "cliffhanger" of an ending.
And if I could make a suggestion as an avid reader of this series, can we get some more Magnus Muldoon in the next books?!!
Don’t read my spoiler rant if you haven’t read the book.
Rant: (It doesn't take away from how much I love this book. I'm just being a little bitch right now. 🤣😂)
I hate that
Okay, now that I have that off my chest, I can get to the review. 🧐
The series is part historical fiction, mystery and horror all rolled up into a fantastic and fun series to read. The characters, the action and all the crazy fuckery that goes on in these books will leave you with strange visions in your head for years.
The characters are well loved or extremely hated. It's really hard to go into these books without having some sort of an emotional reaction to the characters or the situations that happen.
It’s great writing and storytelling!
The River of Souls starts off with Matthew getting out of New York and heading to Charles Town for an easy case.
He needs to take a woman to a dance.
Sounds like it would be an simple task, right?
What Matthew doesn’t know is that all of the women’s suitors are called out for a duel or chased out of town. He gets pulled into a one-sided love relationship that he wasn’t prepared for.
Matthew gets to meet the wonderful character, Magnus Muldoon at a dance and after that chance meeting, the book completely changes tone.
It’s a new adventure up the Solstice River, aka, the River of Souls. The river goes through the swamp lands of South Carolina and is a place of mystery and death.
A murder on a plantation happens near the river.
Matthew, Magnus and others must follow the river for a manhunt of the suspected killer.
Abram, a slave on the plantation is the suspected killer but Matthew and Magnus have their doubts.
How can Matthew prove Abrams' innocence in a world that's set in the 1700s and slaves don't have a voice or any basic rights yet?!
I’m super excited to get to the next book in the series after that "cliffhanger" of an ending.
And if I could make a suggestion as an avid reader of this series, can we get some more Magnus Muldoon in the next books?!!
November 22, 2024
Absolutely ridiculous, but tremendous fun!
September 20, 2015
Matthew Corbett takes a well earned break after his ordeals with Professor Fell in the last book. The Herald Agency sends Matthew back to where it all began - to Charlestown.
Of course, with Professor Fell busy licking his wounds, we can't just let Matthew Corbett wander about doing nothing - that would make for a rather boring story. No that will not do at all.
Instead Matthew will accept a duel to the death relying on his wits that will see his opponent pulling his hair out. Then Matthew will head down a river cursed by a witch - and we all know how Matthew feels about witches having met his first one around about these parts. Anyway we head down The River of Souls deep into the Carolina alligator infested swamp that had me reminiscing on those episode of Swamp People I enjoy so much and had me almost hollerin "SHOOT EM CLINT -SHOOT EM!
This book is going to change Matthew. He's going to learn a few things. For one, he'll learn the rudiments of Skull Hockey from the Indian Village of the Damned where they wear skull masks and use freshly decapitated heads for a puck. He will also learn that one should look where one squats for a crap. He will learn the difference between a black snake and a cotton tail and how long it will take you to die if one bites you on the balls while taking the aforementioned crap in the swamp.Yes, say one thing for Robert McCammon, he's master of the macabre.
I had some issues with the story itself. It was too short. At under 300 pages and the audio half the length of the previous two books it's hard not to feel a little ripped off. This is more of a side quest with the ending more of a segue into the next book than wrapping up this story properly.
Still, the prose was the usual stellar quality, the audio narration by Edoardo Ballerini was superb. I'm giving it...
4.5 stars
Wanted
Ball boy for tonight's game of skull hockey. Must have a head for the game - at least one - and detachable. Must sign organ donation form - just so the children have something to play with.
All applicants to present themselves and their head to the IndianAsylum Reservation at dusk and see Chief Spitting Bear.
Of course, with Professor Fell busy licking his wounds, we can't just let Matthew Corbett wander about doing nothing - that would make for a rather boring story. No that will not do at all.
Instead Matthew will accept a duel to the death relying on his wits that will see his opponent pulling his hair out. Then Matthew will head down a river cursed by a witch - and we all know how Matthew feels about witches having met his first one around about these parts. Anyway we head down The River of Souls deep into the Carolina alligator infested swamp that had me reminiscing on those episode of Swamp People I enjoy so much and had me almost hollerin "SHOOT EM CLINT -SHOOT EM!
This book is going to change Matthew. He's going to learn a few things. For one, he'll learn the rudiments of Skull Hockey from the Indian Village of the Damned where they wear skull masks and use freshly decapitated heads for a puck. He will also learn that one should look where one squats for a crap. He will learn the difference between a black snake and a cotton tail and how long it will take you to die if one bites you on the balls while taking the aforementioned crap in the swamp.Yes, say one thing for Robert McCammon, he's master of the macabre.
I had some issues with the story itself. It was too short. At under 300 pages and the audio half the length of the previous two books it's hard not to feel a little ripped off. This is more of a side quest with the ending more of a segue into the next book than wrapping up this story properly.
Still, the prose was the usual stellar quality, the audio narration by Edoardo Ballerini was superb. I'm giving it...
4.5 stars
Wanted
Ball boy for tonight's game of skull hockey. Must have a head for the game - at least one - and detachable. Must sign organ donation form - just so the children have something to play with.
All applicants to present themselves and their head to the Indian
April 17, 2021
"Matthew realised he was in a battleground...or more correctly a slaughterground"
I finish the next stage of my Matthew Corbett journey and I just have to stand back in awe of one of the greatest current authors writing today. Mr Robert R McCammon. I’m continually blown away by the brilliance of the guy’s work. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The quality of his prose are beautiful, but he writes in such an exciting and unpretentious way. If I could write like anyone, it would be him. I don’t even have to think about it. So, this review is going to serve two purposes. Firstly, a review of the fantastic River of Souls and secondly why you should read McCammon. Particularly the Matthew Corbett series, which is a perfect showcase of the man’s work and talent. Secondly, why you should be reading this insanely talented author.
So right off the bat, this is the fifth book in an ongoing series. Could you read this as a standalone? Yes you could. But you will enjoy it so much more if you read the series in order. So start with the magnificent Speaks the Nightbird and then on with Queen of Bedlam with you.
Ok, so you’ve read the first four books. Top effort, I’m proud of you. Although this book isn’t as big as the previous efforts, in my opinion it adds to its beauty. McCammon has already went to great lengths establishing character development and setting the scene and existing plot in this superior piece of historical fiction. This makes for a lean, mean and very exciting package.
Matthew Corbett, the problem solving, 18th century James Bond is still recovering from his efforts in the previous novel (Providence Rider) with the infamous Professor Fell. Blofeld has nothing on this guy. His employer, Katherine Herald, and partner in crime, Hudson Greathouse, think the best thing to get Matthew back in the game is a nice, easy job with minimal complications. We just know things never go quite as planned for our young hero. This sets the scene and Corbett has to return to Charles Town, in the Carolinas, to escort a beautiful young lady to a ball and things escalate from there. A series of unfortunate events see him journeying up the aptly named River of Souls with an unlikely companion on a fantastic adventure.
"Matthew slept, as heat lightning streaked across the dark gray sky above and the River of Souls ran it's ancient, twisting course."
The story is gripping, atmospheric and very unsettling in parts. McCammon puts Corbett in some extremely challenging situations and I love that he isn’t afraid to do this. Corbett isn’t always successful and often comes out of a situation beaten and bloody. But he never gives up and his will to succeed and find the answer is truly inspiring and makes for some excellent character development. Matthew starts this novel on his own and as a result must make some new friends. This keeps the story fresh and intriguing as we learn who he can trust and who he definitely can’t.
"Matthew looked up at the sky. Had it ever been so dark before dawn in his life?"
Ok, this review is reaching the length that I normally like to finish things. Am I tired of writing about Mr Robert R McCammon? Never! The guy is a literary hero of mine and no review I ever write can repay him for the joy he’s brought to my life over the past year. The question is do you want to have that joy in your life too? You’d be a fool not too. Once again, the most criminally underrated author in the game today. Give the man the respect he deserves and read his work. You won’t regret it.
"Every soul must bear their own burden, fight their own fight, and break free from their own prison."
Robert R McCammon
October 23, 2019
A shorter book in the series with a less complicated adventure than usual but still of absolutely superb quality. I loved Magnus Muldoon and how Matthew interacted with him and how his life changed in the course of the book. I feel I could quite happily follow Matthew Corbett through a thoroughly routine schedule and still be content. But then.... I was drifting along on the anticipated and logical conclusion to this 'less complicated' story when....wait now!whats that?! Back up a minute! The story took an unexpected turn and set up the next book beautifully.
#recommended
#recommended
July 16, 2025
Matthew Corbett travels south again, near to familiar territory many will remember. Though we meet a well known character from the past, nothing here in book four is a rehash and the places Matthew finds himself, namely The River of Souls, are wholly new. Away from the established settlements, early America is spreading, yet is untamed and myths of strange occurrences become a reality up the river Matthew will travel. There are dangers of the unknown, but as always it's the people we should know that can be the true danger we come across in life. What I love is how McCammon brings us new characters that will not be easily forgotten, and so even now I wonder if we'll see one or two again. Don't expect a tidy ending though. This one doesn't waste much time (no Corbett book really does in my opinion) getting to the heart of the story, but it is a shorter book by comparison. One or two events were overtly coincidental. My thought is that they may not actually be, and explanations will come.
February 12, 2021
In this early summer of 1703, as his world seemed poised between gun barrel and grim brawler, Matthew Corbett was all of twenty-four years old, having turned that age in the merry month of May.
Professional problem solver Matthew Corbett is back in New York after a direct confrontation with his Nemesis, the genius of crime that goes by the name of Professor Fell. The finale of The Providence Rider , taking place on the private island-lair of the evil criminal mastermind, was spectacular in an explosive fashion. I wondered what McCammon would do for an encore and I must say, I think the author made a sound choice in dealing back the tension a little. There was some danger of transforming his main character into an action super-hero, James Bond pastiche.
So Matthew has some time to regroup and consider his options. His partners at the private investigators agency in New York push him to take a vacation and accept an easy job that pays good money : escorting a rich man’s daughter to “The Sword of Damocles Ball” down Charleston way. What could possibly go wrong?
First of all, an investigative mind might wonder why such a beautiful and rich young lady would need to pay good money for an escort to a social occasion. Is Charles Town lacking in suitable young men to pay homage to such an eligible heiress? The answer comes in the shape of a wild man of a huge size and a fierce disposition who provokes Matthew to a duel to the death over the attention of the lady in question. It appears this Magnus beast of a man has already killed a couple of suitors and frightened everybody else away.
All this takes place in the opening chapter of the novel, and has little to do with the actual story, other than bringing Matthew and Magnus together, despite their initial murderous disagreement. The moral so far being that women are devious creatures and one should not rush to judge people by appearances.
>>><<<>>><<<
So, Matthew finishes his initial ballroom assignment and decides to strike out into the countryside to look for Magnus and get to know him better. They do this over a bottle of moonshine:
All his concerns about Professor Fell seemed very far away, out here in these woods on the edge of the Solstice River. The same also about his concerns for Berry Grisby, and his own future. He put the cup to his mouth and downed the liquor with a single swallow.
Alas, the peaceful interlude is soon interrupted by alarm bells on the nearby plantation: the young daughter of the owner is found dead of multiple stabbings and the main suspect, a young black slave she was meeting in secret, has fled up river with a couple of his family members. Matthew, who met the personable young lady earlier the same day, smells a rat and asks to inspect the body. Meanwhile, the father is in shock and the estate supervisors quickly gather a lynch mob from the nearby town to go after the runaway slaves.
Matthew and Magnus follow the angry locals in an effort to prevent the lynching, having their own suspicions about the identity of the killer. What follows is not really surprising as a murder mystery and develops along extreme survival and horror genre themes. The fugitive slaves try to hide in the unexplored territory of the River of Souls, a tributary of the main Solstice waterway.
Literally, it’s a jungle out there and the two young men would do well to heed the advice of the old granny from the plantation:
“Thing to ‘member,” said Granny Pegg. “Keep your boat in the middle of the river. If you fall into the water, get out quick. Stay quiet goin’ up, quiet as you can be. If you needs go cross-country, watch where you step for suckholes and quicksand. Snakes aplenty up in there, and poisonous as Satan’s spit. And Old Cara told me this ... If you hear a baby cryin’, keep goin’, ‘cause that’s a spirit you don’t want to see.”
Predictably, Matthew and Magnus and the rest of the posse do all the wrong things they were warned about and their numbers dwindle alarmingly fast in the most grotesque and blood drenched manner. Not all the victims fall to natural predators like alligators and snakes or deranged redskins making sport with the loose heads of their victims. The real murderer is also eliminating potential witnesses in a race down to the gates of Hell and beyond.
... and then they hear a baby crying in the jungle! It is hunting the last survivors of the river journey like a ghostly Predator.
>>><<<>>><<<
This was another excellent thriller/adventure/historical episode in the interesting life of Matthew Corbett. It doesn’t advance the main storyline much, other than pointing our young problem-solver towards the Old World and London, where he will probably pick up the trail of Professor Fell.
Since this episode was shorter than usual, it actually made me want to continue the series right away with the next book. I hope I will manage to fit it in once I finish the other books I’ve started.
June 26, 2014
3.5 stars!
I'm a tad disappointed. Maybe it's because I love this series so much and I expected a lot from this volume. Maybe it's because I'm used to big books in this series and this volume is short. I'm not quite sure why, but I'm feeling unfulfilled.
Our beloved "problem solver" Matthew Corbett has ventured from NYC circa 1703 and is currently situated in Charles Town, Carolina. He has been hired to bring the local belle to a ball and what could be an easier job? Of course, Matthew being Matthew, he is soon involved in the investigation of a murder and he, (and we), are off! Soon finding himself in a row boat upon the River of Souls, he is faced with escaped slaves, a murderer on the loose, alligators, raving, maniacal skeletons, and baby cries coming from the swamps. What a blast!!
So, why am I feeling a little let down? Again, I can't quite say. I'm going to chalk it up to my excitement about a new entry in the series, because I mean just look up there! There was some seriously interesting, fun stuff going on. You don't get maniacal skeletons every day!
I still recommend this book, of course. Matthew is continuing to grow and the direction that his life has taken is completely different than anything that has come before. Now begins the long wait to see where Matthew (and Mr. McCammon) take us next.
*A big thank you goes to my friend Matthew who gifted me a copy of this book. Thanks again, Matt! *
I'm a tad disappointed. Maybe it's because I love this series so much and I expected a lot from this volume. Maybe it's because I'm used to big books in this series and this volume is short. I'm not quite sure why, but I'm feeling unfulfilled.
Our beloved "problem solver" Matthew Corbett has ventured from NYC circa 1703 and is currently situated in Charles Town, Carolina. He has been hired to bring the local belle to a ball and what could be an easier job? Of course, Matthew being Matthew, he is soon involved in the investigation of a murder and he, (and we), are off! Soon finding himself in a row boat upon the River of Souls, he is faced with escaped slaves, a murderer on the loose, alligators, raving, maniacal skeletons, and baby cries coming from the swamps. What a blast!!
So, why am I feeling a little let down? Again, I can't quite say. I'm going to chalk it up to my excitement about a new entry in the series, because I mean just look up there! There was some seriously interesting, fun stuff going on. You don't get maniacal skeletons every day!
I still recommend this book, of course. Matthew is continuing to grow and the direction that his life has taken is completely different than anything that has come before. Now begins the long wait to see where Matthew (and Mr. McCammon) take us next.
*A big thank you goes to my friend Matthew who gifted me a copy of this book. Thanks again, Matt! *
November 16, 2025
Another fantastic entry in Robert McCammon's wonderful Matthew Corbett series. These are definitely my comfort reads, and I've paced myself with them throughout the year.
I suppose the earlier novels in this series could be standalone, but with a book such as this, with many references to past stories, I don't see how that can apply to this tale. This relies heavily on having read what came before. Though I guess you could still understand most of what goes on, it's better to have read the previous novels.
Anyway, this book has Mr. Corbett, searching for a man who has been wrongly accused of murder, as a handful of other townsfolk (angry townsfolk, I might add), are also hunting him down. This being the 1700s and the falsely accused man being an African American, you can probably imagine why Corbett wants to find him before they do.
This is a bit shorter a read than previous entries, but that means nothing in the grand scheme of things since McCammon still wrote another great novel. I am so looking forward to the next one, especially with how this one ended.
I highly recommend this series.
I suppose the earlier novels in this series could be standalone, but with a book such as this, with many references to past stories, I don't see how that can apply to this tale. This relies heavily on having read what came before. Though I guess you could still understand most of what goes on, it's better to have read the previous novels.
Anyway, this book has Mr. Corbett, searching for a man who has been wrongly accused of murder, as a handful of other townsfolk (angry townsfolk, I might add), are also hunting him down. This being the 1700s and the falsely accused man being an African American, you can probably imagine why Corbett wants to find him before they do.
This is a bit shorter a read than previous entries, but that means nothing in the grand scheme of things since McCammon still wrote another great novel. I am so looking forward to the next one, especially with how this one ended.
I highly recommend this series.
May 15, 2020
Matthew Corbett, problem-solver from New York, is sent down south to Charles Town for an “easy job”, escorting a girl to a ball. Seems easy enough but as things go in the world of Matthew Corbett nothing is ever easy and he gets caught up in something bigger.
What follows is an adventure in the rough, forbidding landscapes surrounding Charles Town, involving a girl on a plantation, a hermit set in his ways and a nightmarish trip on the River of Souls. It is a wild and at times truly scary ride and you won’t know what will happen next.
The plot is a little more simple than usual in this series, fewer side stories which is what I really like in McCammon books. So it feels a bit too short (257 pages). But Robert McCammon is a master storyteller and this story, though short, is still really good so I am giving it five stars anyway.
It also really makes me look forward to the next book in this series, Freedom of the Mask.
What follows is an adventure in the rough, forbidding landscapes surrounding Charles Town, involving a girl on a plantation, a hermit set in his ways and a nightmarish trip on the River of Souls. It is a wild and at times truly scary ride and you won’t know what will happen next.
The plot is a little more simple than usual in this series, fewer side stories which is what I really like in McCammon books. So it feels a bit too short (257 pages). But Robert McCammon is a master storyteller and this story, though short, is still really good so I am giving it five stars anyway.
It also really makes me look forward to the next book in this series, Freedom of the Mask.
October 27, 2024
This was a great entry into the world of Matthew Corbett
March 8, 2017
The shortest book by far in the series, but man does it pack a punch! Loved it - what an ending! The only criticism I would have is how small of a world Corbett's is - the convenience of characters coming together - but hey, it's fiction, and it's fantastic.
January 18, 2018
Matthew Corbett.
Robert McCammon.
I think the best thing about this one was the story of Magnus and the cliffhanger ending (which I typically hate). Entertaining and written well, as usual, but now I really need to find out what happens next. I have some definite ideas about where this one should go and would be lying if I said I wasn't concerned since the last two in the series were just a wee better than good for me. I hope the next one brings it back around.
Robert McCammon.
I think the best thing about this one was the story of Magnus and the cliffhanger ending (which I typically hate). Entertaining and written well, as usual, but now I really need to find out what happens next. I have some definite ideas about where this one should go and would be lying if I said I wasn't concerned since the last two in the series were just a wee better than good for me. I hope the next one brings it back around.
February 14, 2015
In this latest installment in the excellent series set in the early 1700's featuring the young problem-solver Matthew Corbett, Matthew is on edge after his dangerous adventure at the Caribbean stronghold of the mysterious Professor Fell (in the last book The Providence Rider, my review here), an adventure that has put a rift between him and his main squeeze, Berry Grisby. So when he is offered a tempting 50 pounds for the easy-peasy job of escorting a young debutante to a high class ball in the Charles Town colony (Readers might remember this place from the first installment, Speaks the Nightbird), he takes the opportunity to get out of New York for a while for a little R&R. But once there, the daughter of a powerful plantation owner is killed and the murder is pinned on a group of runaway slaves. Believing that there is more to this murder than meets the eye, Matthew decides to join the mob chasing the slaves up the infamous "River of Souls", a creepy, swampy bog that is known not only for it's dangerous animals and violent native tribes, but also for the rumours of a supernatural predator who's presence is signaled by the sound of a wailing infant.
The novel is the shortest of the Corbett novels so far and moves at an infectious pace; the danger is non-stop once they start up the river. The book also stands out because the usual supporting cast is mostly absent as Matthew embarks on his new adventure solo! I also love the atmosphere the book has once the journey up the river begins. You can practically smell the swamp and feel the almost never-ending darkness of the night. But the mystery is solved almost immediately, which causes the novel to lose some of it's momentum. Also, the book does feel a bit rushed, especially in the final third, as if trying to wrap up the adventure as quickly as possible in order to get us to the final events in the end. But those events (although hinged on a huge coincidence!) add up to a doozy of a cliffhanger, leaving me aching to read the next installment. Although not as consistently amazing as the last few books in the series, The River of Souls is a solidly entertaining and worthy follow-up to the Matthew Corbett adventures and a quick adventure!
The novel is the shortest of the Corbett novels so far and moves at an infectious pace; the danger is non-stop once they start up the river. The book also stands out because the usual supporting cast is mostly absent as Matthew embarks on his new adventure solo! I also love the atmosphere the book has once the journey up the river begins. You can practically smell the swamp and feel the almost never-ending darkness of the night. But the mystery is solved almost immediately, which causes the novel to lose some of it's momentum. Also, the book does feel a bit rushed, especially in the final third, as if trying to wrap up the adventure as quickly as possible in order to get us to the final events in the end. But those events (although hinged on a huge coincidence!) add up to a doozy of a cliffhanger, leaving me aching to read the next installment. Although not as consistently amazing as the last few books in the series, The River of Souls is a solidly entertaining and worthy follow-up to the Matthew Corbett adventures and a quick adventure!
October 3, 2022
I’ll keep this review shorter than Glenn Danzig with his legs cut off, this book was a blast! That’s it.
January 20, 2015
River of Souls by Robert McCammon
January 17 to January 19, 2015
Recommended by internet friends
This is the fifth offering for the Matthew Corbett Series. In a way this is a difficult book for me to review. I want to review it as a stand alone book, but I cannot help comparing it to the other Corbett stories. This book is shorter than the other books, thus the story is not as long and involved. I missed the longer more involved story while at the same time appreciated the story as it is. It was a good story with several new characters. A lot of character development. Good flowing from one scene to the next. It's a well thought out and written book.
I don't feel I'm spoiling any thing when I say that Matthew is back in South Carolina. He has agreed to take a young lady to a dance. From there the story really begins. Matthew uses his quick thinking to avoid a duel with the gun or sword. Interesting. It opens Matthew's eyes to something he does not realize.
Our protagonist in this book shows a lot of consideration for others. Few things interferes with his goal of bringing justice to a murder victim and her family. I'm not sure how he survives some of the things he does, but I'm glad he does.
I enjoyed the new character, Magnus Muldoon. A big burly fellow with a soft side. He wants to do the right thing. He and Matthew become good friends and I hope to see more of him in future novels.
The ending was unexpected and a good cliff-hanger leading into the next book. I look forward to reading what happens and how Mr. McCammon will write it. I hear book six will be released sometime this year.
A 5 star book that I recommend.
January 17 to January 19, 2015
Recommended by internet friends
This is the fifth offering for the Matthew Corbett Series. In a way this is a difficult book for me to review. I want to review it as a stand alone book, but I cannot help comparing it to the other Corbett stories. This book is shorter than the other books, thus the story is not as long and involved. I missed the longer more involved story while at the same time appreciated the story as it is. It was a good story with several new characters. A lot of character development. Good flowing from one scene to the next. It's a well thought out and written book.
I don't feel I'm spoiling any thing when I say that Matthew is back in South Carolina. He has agreed to take a young lady to a dance. From there the story really begins. Matthew uses his quick thinking to avoid a duel with the gun or sword. Interesting. It opens Matthew's eyes to something he does not realize.
Our protagonist in this book shows a lot of consideration for others. Few things interferes with his goal of bringing justice to a murder victim and her family. I'm not sure how he survives some of the things he does, but I'm glad he does.
I enjoyed the new character, Magnus Muldoon. A big burly fellow with a soft side. He wants to do the right thing. He and Matthew become good friends and I hope to see more of him in future novels.
The ending was unexpected and a good cliff-hanger leading into the next book. I look forward to reading what happens and how Mr. McCammon will write it. I hear book six will be released sometime this year.
A 5 star book that I recommend.
December 12, 2021
Ich muss sagen, dass dies der für mich bisher schwächste Corbett-Roman war. Mittlerweile fällt es doch schwer in die Bücher hineinzufinden, wenn man gefühlt 100 Seiten davon liest, was in den vergangenen Büchern passiert ist. Ein kurzer Rückblick ist ja schön und gut, aber hier geht das für meinen Geschmack zu weit.
Die eigentliche Geschichte um den Fluss der Seelen ist nun auch kein Highlight in Corbetts Werdegang, sondern eher ein kleiner Zwischenakt, den man wohl auch so auffassen muss, wenn man das Ende des Buches anschaut.
Es hat Spaß gemacht, ja, aber nicht so viel wie die Bände zuvor. Ich bin dennoch gespannt auf den nächsten Band und hoffe, dass er nicht allzu lange auf sich warten lassen wird.
Die eigentliche Geschichte um den Fluss der Seelen ist nun auch kein Highlight in Corbetts Werdegang, sondern eher ein kleiner Zwischenakt, den man wohl auch so auffassen muss, wenn man das Ende des Buches anschaut.
Es hat Spaß gemacht, ja, aber nicht so viel wie die Bände zuvor. Ich bin dennoch gespannt auf den nächsten Band und hoffe, dass er nicht allzu lange auf sich warten lassen wird.
October 17, 2021
Ich mag diese Reihe um Matthew Corbett wirklich sehr gerne! Das Setting im historischen New York lässt einen total in diese Zeit abtauchen, weil der Autor sich auch perfekt darauf versteht, diese Atmosphäre der damaligen Zeit aufleben zu lassen. An manchen Stellen wirkt es fast etwas anstrengend beim lesen, aber der Stil ist einfach großartig! Die vielen Wortspielereien und ineinander verwobenen sinnbildlichen Anspielungen geben den Geschichten immer etwas ganz besonderes!
Anfangs scheint allerdings ein bisschen der Wurm drin zu sein - ob es an der Übersetzung liegt? Ich nehme es an, den grade im ersten Drittel stimmen manche Sätze für mich nicht und ich bin einige Male über kleine Fehler gestolpert. Das gibt sich aber dann zum Glück und die Handlung hat mich auch wieder total in den Bann gezogen!
Der ungewöhnliche Auftrag, den Matthew wider Willen annimmt, führt ihn mit der schönen Pandora Prisskitt auf einen Ball, der plötzlich eine völlig unerwartete Wendung nimmt. Ich hab mich etwas gewundert, warum sich der Autor so sehr mit diesem Ereignis beschäftigt, hat es doch nichts mit dem angekündigten Mord zu tun, doch die Zusammenhänge werden dann immer klarer.
Alles in allem war es ein famoses Fest gewesen - bis dieser schwarzbärtige, finsterhaarige Stier des Waldes durch die duftigen Vorhänge hereingetrampelt kam.
Zitat Seite 12
Sehr raffiniert verbindet McCammon Matthews immerwährende Neugier, die ihn sich schließlich auf dem Fluss der Seelen wiederfinden lässt, auf den Spuren eines brutalen Mörders.
New York ist zu dieser Zeit sehr im Wachstum begriffen: mit Pferdekutschen, kleinen Läden, flanierenden Damen und Gentleman usw und im Wachstum begriffen - allerdings auch durch Armut geprägt und überfüllt mit Einwanderern und dem über alles hängendem Gestank der Kloake und Hafenanlagen.
Die relativ kurze Reise, die unseren Protagonisten in das sumpfige Hinterland führt, macht indes deutlich, dass schon wenige Stunden von New York entfernt eine völlig andere Ordnung herrscht.
Kleine Ansiedlungen mit wenigen Menschen, die sich gerade so über Wasser halten können, Farmen mit Sklaven als Arbeitern, die die Felder bearbeiten und viele raue Burschen, die in der Stadt kaum Chancen hätten auf legale Weise zu überleben. Rohe Witze, Spott und Gewalt prägen ihr Leben und Matthew muss all sein Gespür aufwenden, um zwischen ihnen auf der Suche bestehen zu können.
Ein Charakter ist mir dieses Mal besonders ans Herz gewachsen, auf den ich allerdings nicht näher eingehen möchte, um nicht zu spoilern. Seine Entwicklung ist Dank Matthews Einsatz jedenfalls rührend zu verfolgen!
Die Menschen kamen ihm jetzt eher wie der Sand und die Farbpigmente vor, aus denen er seine Flaschen herstellte; was aus ihnen werden würde, zeigte sich erst, wenn man ihnen die Luft und Freiheit von Möglichkeiten schenkte.
Zitat Seite 318
In diesem Band ist die Handlung eingeschränkter als im letzten, konzentrierter und nicht so komplex und dadurch etwas intensiver. Um die Sümpfe und den "Fluss der Seelen" gibt es allerlei Gerüchte - ein Fluch, der über dem Wasser hängt, die Ufer bewandert mit lebenden Toten und andere Schrecknisse, die im Schilf und den Wäldern lauern. Dazu der Treibsand, Alligatoren und giftige Schlangen ... ein Ort, den man lieber meidet, als sich immer tiefer darin zu verstricken. Hier fühlt man sich wirklich mitten dabei und riecht das brakige Wasser, fühlt sich verfolgt von den stechwütigen Mücken und spürt die lauernde Gefahr all der abergläubischen Geschichten, die sich um das Sumpfland ranken.
Durchweg fesselnd und mit vielen Überraschungen gespickt.
Was mich ein bisschen gestört hat ist die kursive Hervorhebung. Man kennt diesen Kniff um Wörtern Bedeutung zu verleihen und sie hervorzuheben, was ich zwar in Maßen mag, hier aber teilweise oft schon aufgedrängt gewirkt hat. Ich lese es dann doch lieber mit meiner eigenen Betonung und Deutung und möchte nicht in jedem dritten Satz darüber stolpern.
Der Schluss überrascht mit einer bitteren Wendung, die sehr neugierig macht wie Matthews Weg weitergehen wird und ich hoffe, dass auch der nächste Band bald übersetzt wird :)
4.5 Sterne für das neue, spannende Abenteuer mit Matthew Corbett!
Weltenwanderer
Anfangs scheint allerdings ein bisschen der Wurm drin zu sein - ob es an der Übersetzung liegt? Ich nehme es an, den grade im ersten Drittel stimmen manche Sätze für mich nicht und ich bin einige Male über kleine Fehler gestolpert. Das gibt sich aber dann zum Glück und die Handlung hat mich auch wieder total in den Bann gezogen!
Der ungewöhnliche Auftrag, den Matthew wider Willen annimmt, führt ihn mit der schönen Pandora Prisskitt auf einen Ball, der plötzlich eine völlig unerwartete Wendung nimmt. Ich hab mich etwas gewundert, warum sich der Autor so sehr mit diesem Ereignis beschäftigt, hat es doch nichts mit dem angekündigten Mord zu tun, doch die Zusammenhänge werden dann immer klarer.
Alles in allem war es ein famoses Fest gewesen - bis dieser schwarzbärtige, finsterhaarige Stier des Waldes durch die duftigen Vorhänge hereingetrampelt kam.
Zitat Seite 12
Sehr raffiniert verbindet McCammon Matthews immerwährende Neugier, die ihn sich schließlich auf dem Fluss der Seelen wiederfinden lässt, auf den Spuren eines brutalen Mörders.
New York ist zu dieser Zeit sehr im Wachstum begriffen: mit Pferdekutschen, kleinen Läden, flanierenden Damen und Gentleman usw und im Wachstum begriffen - allerdings auch durch Armut geprägt und überfüllt mit Einwanderern und dem über alles hängendem Gestank der Kloake und Hafenanlagen.
Die relativ kurze Reise, die unseren Protagonisten in das sumpfige Hinterland führt, macht indes deutlich, dass schon wenige Stunden von New York entfernt eine völlig andere Ordnung herrscht.
Kleine Ansiedlungen mit wenigen Menschen, die sich gerade so über Wasser halten können, Farmen mit Sklaven als Arbeitern, die die Felder bearbeiten und viele raue Burschen, die in der Stadt kaum Chancen hätten auf legale Weise zu überleben. Rohe Witze, Spott und Gewalt prägen ihr Leben und Matthew muss all sein Gespür aufwenden, um zwischen ihnen auf der Suche bestehen zu können.
Ein Charakter ist mir dieses Mal besonders ans Herz gewachsen, auf den ich allerdings nicht näher eingehen möchte, um nicht zu spoilern. Seine Entwicklung ist Dank Matthews Einsatz jedenfalls rührend zu verfolgen!
Die Menschen kamen ihm jetzt eher wie der Sand und die Farbpigmente vor, aus denen er seine Flaschen herstellte; was aus ihnen werden würde, zeigte sich erst, wenn man ihnen die Luft und Freiheit von Möglichkeiten schenkte.
Zitat Seite 318
In diesem Band ist die Handlung eingeschränkter als im letzten, konzentrierter und nicht so komplex und dadurch etwas intensiver. Um die Sümpfe und den "Fluss der Seelen" gibt es allerlei Gerüchte - ein Fluch, der über dem Wasser hängt, die Ufer bewandert mit lebenden Toten und andere Schrecknisse, die im Schilf und den Wäldern lauern. Dazu der Treibsand, Alligatoren und giftige Schlangen ... ein Ort, den man lieber meidet, als sich immer tiefer darin zu verstricken. Hier fühlt man sich wirklich mitten dabei und riecht das brakige Wasser, fühlt sich verfolgt von den stechwütigen Mücken und spürt die lauernde Gefahr all der abergläubischen Geschichten, die sich um das Sumpfland ranken.
Durchweg fesselnd und mit vielen Überraschungen gespickt.
Was mich ein bisschen gestört hat ist die kursive Hervorhebung. Man kennt diesen Kniff um Wörtern Bedeutung zu verleihen und sie hervorzuheben, was ich zwar in Maßen mag, hier aber teilweise oft schon aufgedrängt gewirkt hat. Ich lese es dann doch lieber mit meiner eigenen Betonung und Deutung und möchte nicht in jedem dritten Satz darüber stolpern.
Der Schluss überrascht mit einer bitteren Wendung, die sehr neugierig macht wie Matthews Weg weitergehen wird und ich hoffe, dass auch der nächste Band bald übersetzt wird :)
4.5 Sterne für das neue, spannende Abenteuer mit Matthew Corbett!
Weltenwanderer
February 24, 2015
Disclaimer: thoughts on this book in particular but also the series as a whole.
I had a feeling when I started reading this series that I would find it enjoyable but by the end I'd be really tired of it. I was right. This is now the third book IN A ROW where a female has been introduced seemingly for the sole reason of being a way to forward the plot/Matthew and then conveniently dying. I have a really low tolerance for tropes and the whole Bond thing just isn't working for me. There's some other ideological kibbles I have. For instance Matthew holding Pandora responsible for the deaths of three men because of her "vanity" but not Muldoon. Muldoon is not a blunt instrument, he is a thinking man, Matthew certainly treats him as such he CHOSE to kill those men. And someone is going to have to explain to me how it isn't it's own kind of vanity to kill three people to pursue the object of your lust. Now I'm willing to ascribe this to Matthew's own mindset and not authorial seepage but I thought he had his head screwed on tighter. Even factoring in the cultural/time-frame biases. Oh and Berry. There's another trope. The Noble Sacrifice, where the hero, incredibly selflessly, break their lover's heart to protect them. Fair enough. Fair enough to acknowledge that this is indeed selfless and indeed it must hurt, not copacetic to turn the person this is being done to into an idiot. Berry has been described as being intelligent a number of times. Matthew just recently poured his sobby heart out to her. Yet. She cannot come to the conclusion that he's doing this to 'protect' her? Ugggghhhhhh. But no! Let us use this opportunity to establish Matthew's selfishness and noble suffering! Again.
The story itself? For the first time I felt myself skimming towards the end. The writing itself retains its usual standard but... it doesn't feel like the story is GOING anywhere. It just treads the same path that has been walked a million times before. I thought this might be a story where the idealistic, justice-loving young man gets deconstructed. It might still be, the author sometimes flirts with the idea it seems, but either it is an exceptionally slow burn or it just it what it says on the tin. Maybe the Professor is Madame Chillany? Wouldn't that be a surprising, somewhat confusing but also kinda brilliant (if handled well) plot twist? Nah. Let's make him a tortured old dude. Maybe this killer has nuance, maybe they have a good reaso- Nah. I really thought Slaughter might have filled this but no. Sociopath. So much more palatable to kill them that way. The dangers of the River of Souls also seem... tumescent. Bizarrely aggressive crocodiles? Okay. Conveniently situated Indian mad-village? O-kaaaaaay. Weirdly intelligent and seemingly unkillable beasty? Deja vu much?
I'm trying to think of something good about this particular book and I don't have much. The writing itself is good, it's always good. The series? It's an enjoyable if not particularly memorable story.
I had a feeling when I started reading this series that I would find it enjoyable but by the end I'd be really tired of it. I was right. This is now the third book IN A ROW where a female has been introduced seemingly for the sole reason of being a way to forward the plot/Matthew and then conveniently dying. I have a really low tolerance for tropes and the whole Bond thing just isn't working for me. There's some other ideological kibbles I have. For instance Matthew holding Pandora responsible for the deaths of three men because of her "vanity" but not Muldoon. Muldoon is not a blunt instrument, he is a thinking man, Matthew certainly treats him as such he CHOSE to kill those men. And someone is going to have to explain to me how it isn't it's own kind of vanity to kill three people to pursue the object of your lust. Now I'm willing to ascribe this to Matthew's own mindset and not authorial seepage but I thought he had his head screwed on tighter. Even factoring in the cultural/time-frame biases. Oh and Berry. There's another trope. The Noble Sacrifice, where the hero, incredibly selflessly, break their lover's heart to protect them. Fair enough. Fair enough to acknowledge that this is indeed selfless and indeed it must hurt, not copacetic to turn the person this is being done to into an idiot. Berry has been described as being intelligent a number of times. Matthew just recently poured his sobby heart out to her. Yet. She cannot come to the conclusion that he's doing this to 'protect' her? Ugggghhhhhh. But no! Let us use this opportunity to establish Matthew's selfishness and noble suffering! Again.
The story itself? For the first time I felt myself skimming towards the end. The writing itself retains its usual standard but... it doesn't feel like the story is GOING anywhere. It just treads the same path that has been walked a million times before. I thought this might be a story where the idealistic, justice-loving young man gets deconstructed. It might still be, the author sometimes flirts with the idea it seems, but either it is an exceptionally slow burn or it just it what it says on the tin. Maybe the Professor is Madame Chillany? Wouldn't that be a surprising, somewhat confusing but also kinda brilliant (if handled well) plot twist? Nah. Let's make him a tortured old dude. Maybe this killer has nuance, maybe they have a good reaso- Nah. I really thought Slaughter might have filled this but no. Sociopath. So much more palatable to kill them that way. The dangers of the River of Souls also seem... tumescent. Bizarrely aggressive crocodiles? Okay. Conveniently situated Indian mad-village? O-kaaaaaay. Weirdly intelligent and seemingly unkillable beasty? Deja vu much?
I'm trying to think of something good about this particular book and I don't have much. The writing itself is good, it's always good. The series? It's an enjoyable if not particularly memorable story.
December 3, 2024
Our hero Matthew finds himself escorting a most beautiful young lady to the ball. And suddenly finds himself helping a hermit to become a gentleman. Then murder rears it's ugly head and an adventure down the River of Souls leaves Matthew wondering who he really is.
February 28, 2024
Matthew Corbett is back, as we all knew he would be! After making his harrowing escape from Pendulum Island and Dr. Fell, Matthew needs a less stressful assignment to calm his nerves. Escorting a rich Charles Town socialite’s daughter to the Sword of Damocles Ball seems to be more of a vacation than an assignment. But it pays well, so why not? Matthew soon finds out everything is not always as it seems, which is the great thing about The River of Souls.
One of McCammon's most remarkable skills is his ability to create realistic, three-dimensional characters. Ones that have multiple layers and interesting back stories. Here we’re introduced to Magnus Muldoon, what appears to be a jealous, lovesick buffoon with more muscles than brains. What we discover is Magnus is so much more once Matthew peels back the layers. Throw in a river full of hungry alligators, poisonous snakes, a possible wrongfully accused murder, an evil plantation manager, a widow who will do anything to get her dead husband back, a murderous jungle ghost that sounds like a baby crying, and a tribe of mentally insane indigenous people playing hockey with decapitated heads. C’mon. What more could you ask for?
The River of Souls is action-packed full of swampy goodness and wonderfully developed characters. McCammon continues to demonstrate his strength as he delivers an ending that leaves me hanging on a cliff, compelling me to immediately pick up book #6!
4.5 Snakebitten Testicles out of 5
One of McCammon's most remarkable skills is his ability to create realistic, three-dimensional characters. Ones that have multiple layers and interesting back stories. Here we’re introduced to Magnus Muldoon, what appears to be a jealous, lovesick buffoon with more muscles than brains. What we discover is Magnus is so much more once Matthew peels back the layers. Throw in a river full of hungry alligators, poisonous snakes, a possible wrongfully accused murder, an evil plantation manager, a widow who will do anything to get her dead husband back, a murderous jungle ghost that sounds like a baby crying, and a tribe of mentally insane indigenous people playing hockey with decapitated heads. C’mon. What more could you ask for?
The River of Souls is action-packed full of swampy goodness and wonderfully developed characters. McCammon continues to demonstrate his strength as he delivers an ending that leaves me hanging on a cliff, compelling me to immediately pick up book #6!
4.5 Snakebitten Testicles out of 5
August 1, 2015
This was the shortest of the series so far but certainly one of the most powerful stories. Our protagonist has matured in his role as a problem solver (or as we like to say in the 21st Century "Detective"). What starts out as a seemingly innocent case that involves chaperoning in a remote area on North Carolina, turns into one of the more powerful hunts for justice we have thus far witnessed.
The historic setting continues to engage me. While I'm not an historian I do love learning how people lived in this early period of our country. This story give a whole new meaning to "wilderness". Life was hard. And at the very heart of this story we see it was a lot harder for some than others.
More so than after any other book so far I am anticipating the next story.
The historic setting continues to engage me. While I'm not an historian I do love learning how people lived in this early period of our country. This story give a whole new meaning to "wilderness". Life was hard. And at the very heart of this story we see it was a lot harder for some than others.
More so than after any other book so far I am anticipating the next story.
June 18, 2014
I've been following the Matthew Corbett series since "Speaks the Nightbird", and sadly this is the weakest novel thus far. Firstly, the book was short and lacked much of the atmosphere and historical tinges that have made the others so enjoyable.
The introduction was structured a bit strangely for my taste, with the narrative jumping around in both time and location. I understand what the intended purpose was (to convey Matthew's sense of confusion and bewilderment in the opening situation) but it only serves to bewilder the reader. It started off the novel on a misstep. And the whole setup for why Matthew is supposed to be in Charles Town is quickly abandoned in awkward fashion.
My main complaint is that there wasn't any actual "mystery". There was a murder in the book, but Matthew figures out the culprit as soon he arrives at the scene of the crime... and announces it to everyone! So basically the crime, mystery and detective portion of the book was over in one chapter. The rest of the book was a pursuit up the creepy and mysterious River of Souls into the wilderness. Perhaps a bit of a homage to Heart of Darkness.
I was also a bit miffed at Matthew's all-too-convenient encounters with a revolving door of characters from the previous books. And I was especially disappointed with how one of these "convenient characters" popped up just in time to get Matthew out of a tough situation that he had fallen into. Coincidences are great plot devices in storytelling... to get a character into trouble. But using deus ex machina to solve problems is just lazy.
The greatest offense, however, was a terribly contrived plot device in the final act of the book that belongs in soap operas rather than an historical detective series. It only serves as an absurd setup for the next book in the series. In summary, I would only read this as a bridge to the next novel. It seems like Robert McCammon's heart wasn't really in this novel when he wrote it.
The introduction was structured a bit strangely for my taste, with the narrative jumping around in both time and location. I understand what the intended purpose was (to convey Matthew's sense of confusion and bewilderment in the opening situation) but it only serves to bewilder the reader. It started off the novel on a misstep. And the whole setup for why Matthew is supposed to be in Charles Town is quickly abandoned in awkward fashion.
My main complaint is that there wasn't any actual "mystery". There was a murder in the book, but Matthew figures out the culprit as soon he arrives at the scene of the crime... and announces it to everyone! So basically the crime, mystery and detective portion of the book was over in one chapter. The rest of the book was a pursuit up the creepy and mysterious River of Souls into the wilderness. Perhaps a bit of a homage to Heart of Darkness.
I was also a bit miffed at Matthew's all-too-convenient encounters with a revolving door of characters from the previous books. And I was especially disappointed with how one of these "convenient characters" popped up just in time to get Matthew out of a tough situation that he had fallen into. Coincidences are great plot devices in storytelling... to get a character into trouble. But using deus ex machina to solve problems is just lazy.
The greatest offense, however, was a terribly contrived plot device in the final act of the book that belongs in soap operas rather than an historical detective series. It only serves as an absurd setup for the next book in the series. In summary, I would only read this as a bridge to the next novel. It seems like Robert McCammon's heart wasn't really in this novel when he wrote it.
December 14, 2021
Matthew returns to Charles Town. Of course, he wouldn't be himself if he hadn't gotten into trouble. He joins a search for three escaped slaves. One of them might have committed a brutal murder. Only, Matthew suspects someone tries to frame the poor guy.
What follows is a frenetically paced journey through the jungle. Prepare for macabre scenes and a strong cliffhanger ending.
What follows is a frenetically paced journey through the jungle. Prepare for macabre scenes and a strong cliffhanger ending.
May 30, 2023
My Least Favorite Corbett
This was definitely my least favorite entry in the Matthew Corbett series that I have read thus far. The fact that I still think it's worth of 3 stars should let you know how highly I view this series overall.
The writing here is as good as ever, and it's something that will always when point from me with McCammon even when the story is mediocre which is definitely the case here. The plot doesn't really have a central mystery, or at least one that is compelling or bot blatantly obvious right away. Instead it's kind of a straight forward chase. Also, there are some strange plot decisions here that reminded me of something you might see on a somewhat dumb network TV drama including a "to be continued" type of ending. Absolutely nothing to deter me from the rest of the series at all, but nothing of the highs from the first 4 books.
This was definitely my least favorite entry in the Matthew Corbett series that I have read thus far. The fact that I still think it's worth of 3 stars should let you know how highly I view this series overall.
The writing here is as good as ever, and it's something that will always when point from me with McCammon even when the story is mediocre which is definitely the case here. The plot doesn't really have a central mystery, or at least one that is compelling or bot blatantly obvious right away. Instead it's kind of a straight forward chase. Also, there are some strange plot decisions here that reminded me of something you might see on a somewhat dumb network TV drama including a "to be continued" type of ending. Absolutely nothing to deter me from the rest of the series at all, but nothing of the highs from the first 4 books.
August 26, 2024
80/100
A solid entry in the Matthew Corbett series, but this one feels like a filler, side quest kinda book for the most part. That being said, it’s still a pretty damn good side quest. The atmosphere in this book is just next level, but I’m biased because I love swamp settings. There’s a brand new character that has a solid arc in just 250ish pages, which is impressive in its own right. And by the end McCammon gets us back on track with Matthew’s larger adventure and leads directly into Freedom of the Mask. So this gets a well deserved thumbs up, despite being a bit off the beaten path for where this series should be heading in volume five.
A solid entry in the Matthew Corbett series, but this one feels like a filler, side quest kinda book for the most part. That being said, it’s still a pretty damn good side quest. The atmosphere in this book is just next level, but I’m biased because I love swamp settings. There’s a brand new character that has a solid arc in just 250ish pages, which is impressive in its own right. And by the end McCammon gets us back on track with Matthew’s larger adventure and leads directly into Freedom of the Mask. So this gets a well deserved thumbs up, despite being a bit off the beaten path for where this series should be heading in volume five.
December 13, 2024
This book was good, maybe even great. But for McCammon it was just alright. Cool little side story though. Enjoyed the ride but left me wanting for more.
July 15, 2018
Ah! It's one of THOSE endings, huh? Well, I may take the bait, but just not quite yet. I like to delay my gratifications... If I were to go on and start with the next Corbett book, Freedom of the Mask, then by the time I finish -- I'll have no more Corbett books to look forward to until McCammon decides to publish Cardinal Black. And who knows how long that will take?
I see a lot of four-star reviews for River of Souls, and I'm wondering if it's because readers are rating this against the other books of the series. Or maybe they just don't like having the setting of Corbett's world so far away from New York, and away from our standard cast.
But as a book on it's own, I freekin' loved this one! It was a lot shorter than the previous episodes, so I think it'd just be fairer to rate River of Souls by itself instead of as a part in the series.
Though short in length, this story was full of everything that made this not only a Matthew Corbett novel, but also a McCammon novel. We've been introduced to and have learned to love (or hate) new characters in this book, and like most McCammon books, you really see the heart and humanity in these people. I always enjoy the interactions between Matthew and those he has become closer to, and you have a chance to view their bared souls.
We've also encountered some old friends from previous installments, and have recounted certain situations that have occurred in past experiences as well (thus advising anyone interested in reading these books, to most definitely read them in order).
You see the magic in the settings and the darkness of the landscapes, as we are taken on the journey up the river of souls. I love the mysteries and the myths behind villages and in the creatures, and in the swamps and deep forests in the wet humid heat of the South. Some of these myths would have been better left unexplained, but that's just my own opinion. It still just shows the twisted imagination that McCammon possesses.
And again, though short in length, this was a very fast-paced story and not all too predictable. You may be able to guess a thing or two before being made aware of them (that does happen from time to time) but you're also led in new directions that I know I wasn't expecting. As far as madness and violence, I'd compare this to book three - Mister Slaughter.
So all in all, I loved this book! I don't even want to try to rate it against the rest of the series. Each installment is quite unique, and different from the next, so it's not like I'd try to declare this one "my favorite".
I see a lot of four-star reviews for River of Souls, and I'm wondering if it's because readers are rating this against the other books of the series. Or maybe they just don't like having the setting of Corbett's world so far away from New York, and away from our standard cast.
But as a book on it's own, I freekin' loved this one! It was a lot shorter than the previous episodes, so I think it'd just be fairer to rate River of Souls by itself instead of as a part in the series.
Though short in length, this story was full of everything that made this not only a Matthew Corbett novel, but also a McCammon novel. We've been introduced to and have learned to love (or hate) new characters in this book, and like most McCammon books, you really see the heart and humanity in these people. I always enjoy the interactions between Matthew and those he has become closer to, and you have a chance to view their bared souls.
We've also encountered some old friends from previous installments, and have recounted certain situations that have occurred in past experiences as well (thus advising anyone interested in reading these books, to most definitely read them in order).
You see the magic in the settings and the darkness of the landscapes, as we are taken on the journey up the river of souls. I love the mysteries and the myths behind villages and in the creatures, and in the swamps and deep forests in the wet humid heat of the South. Some of these myths would have been better left unexplained, but that's just my own opinion. It still just shows the twisted imagination that McCammon possesses.
And again, though short in length, this was a very fast-paced story and not all too predictable. You may be able to guess a thing or two before being made aware of them (that does happen from time to time) but you're also led in new directions that I know I wasn't expecting. As far as madness and violence, I'd compare this to book three - Mister Slaughter.
So all in all, I loved this book! I don't even want to try to rate it against the rest of the series. Each installment is quite unique, and different from the next, so it's not like I'd try to declare this one "my favorite".
June 5, 2014
McCammon does it again, however, at only 257 pages I would consider this more of a short story and set up for the next book. His past books have weighed in at between 440 to over 800 pages. Still I enjoyed every page and tried to savor it as long as I could which happened to be only two days! This fifth in the series picked up pretty much where it left off on the fourth book, but took a break from Professor Fell and the characters in New York with Matthew heading off to do an "easy" job down south in Charles Town. We meet new and interesting characters, a murder just happens to occur while finishing up his job and of course Matthew takes on the problem of bringing the correct person to justice. Without saying too much, the story concludes this chapter only to leave on a cliffhanger and thrusts us back towards the always and never quite present Professor Fell. So, I would actually say you could almost read this as a stand alone short mystery with his past books and characters in the series only being mentioned on the peripheral but the die-hard fans will appreciate and understand these brief mentions and the context. I really hope his next in the series is much longer as this was just enough to remind you of how talented he is as storyteller and have you craving and wishing for more.
June 27, 2014
Matthew Corbett returns for a fateful trip down the cursed River of Souls and into the heart of darkness, to face horrors and mysteries both real and unreal in this relatively engaging fifth installment of the series.
Sadly, it is also the weakest. The spark that made the series so fresh and exciting has fizzled a bit. The signature heart and enthusiasm that marks the rest of McCammon's work is lacking here.
Still, even a below average McCammon is better than most of the best of the rest.
We will keep our fingers crossed for the next book, because you know we will be reading it as soon as it comes out.
A solid 3.5 stars.
Sadly, it is also the weakest. The spark that made the series so fresh and exciting has fizzled a bit. The signature heart and enthusiasm that marks the rest of McCammon's work is lacking here.
Still, even a below average McCammon is better than most of the best of the rest.
We will keep our fingers crossed for the next book, because you know we will be reading it as soon as it comes out.
A solid 3.5 stars.
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