Kingston 76

by Adam Snyder

Working class Kingston, NY, 1976. While Timothy Miller's mom and her new partner host a women's support group in their pink living room, Timothy escapes by launching a secret investigation into a local cover-up. Is the town's biggest employer polluting the water? Was the gay man down the street silenced because he knew too much? And will standing up for a gay person further connect Timothy to the "queer" home life he's trying to conceal from the world?

Against a backdrop of 70s music and culture, things get increasingly dicey as Timothy and new friend Charles race around their small city, looking for answers. For Timothy, the biggest mystery might just be his own family.

356 pages, Paperback

Published September 26, 2024

About the author

Adam Snyder grew up in Kingston and currently lives in nearby Woodstock with his wife and son. An Iowa Writers' Workshop graduate, his writing has appeared in Interview, Mojo, Upstate Diary and elsewhere.

As a musician, Adam has released two solo albums and performed in over 30 countries. While he's played with a number of international bands, he's perhaps most widely known as a member of Mercury Rev during the Deserters Songs period.

Kingston 76 is his first published novel.

Reviews

[Timothy Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A enjoyable read that was hard to put down.

[Mimz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kingston 76 by Adam Snyder is a heartfelt and engaging coming-of-age mystery that beautifully captures the essence of growing up in 1970s America. The protagonist, young Timothy Miller, is both endearing and refreshingly perceptive as he navigates a world filled with adult secrets, environmental intrigue, and the everyday challenges of adolescence. Snyder’s writing is vivid and nostalgic, drawing the reader into the sights, sounds, and emotions of small-town Kingston, New York. What stands out most is how the novel balances its mystery with genuine emotional depth, making it not just a page-turner, but a poignant exploration of family, identity, and community. A strong debut—warm, witty, and quietly powerful.

[Sara Raftery · Rating 3 out of 5]

An 80s-movie-style adventure about kids solving crimes crossed with a bildungsroman. Despite early MFA thesis vibes, the themes proved to be well developed and thoughtful. Timothy is a well-rounded character and sympathetic throughout. Charles is a bit too idealized for comfort, but he's a fun foil to Timothy's naivete, and the moments where his overconfidence reveal his own youth are absolutely precious. The ending is entirely too neat for my taste, but Timothy's own arc is handled so well that I give the author a pass for essentially wanting to write the adventure story as an 80s fairy tale.

[Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happened upon this book at a bookstore in Kingston, and was intrigued enough to read it. It was such a fantastic experience and I couldn’t be more glad to have discovered it. This book is truly unlike any I’ve ever read. Snyder captures the mind of a 10 year old boy in the 1970s with wit, realism, and nuance. The plot is gripping, keeps you guessing, and has such a satisfactory end that manages to tie some childlike wonder back into an otherwise quite serious book. I was so impressed with how Snyder managed to delve into some very heavy and complicated topics through the eyes of a 10 year old. This is such a special book and I hope it begins to get more attention.

[Emma Healy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m still mystified about how this book could only have two reviews on here …. But this was solid. Wholesome and easy. I would have written a different ending if it were up to me, but alas, it is not.

[Helene Maneri · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️