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The Unforgiving Town: A Sequel to The Sacred Dog
- GenresMystery
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2026
About the author
Joan Livingston
21 books61 followersJoan Livingston is the author of novels for adults and young readers.
She has completed seven books so far in her mystery series featuring Isabel Long, a longtime journalist who becomes an amateur P.I. They are: Chasing the Case, Redneck's Revenge, Checking the Traps, Killing the Story. Working the Beat, Following the Lead, and Missing the Deadline. Her Hilltown Books include The Sweet Spot, The Sacred Dog, and Northern Comfort.
An award-winning journalist, Joan started as a reporter covering the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. She was an editor, columnist, and the managing editor of The Taos News, which won numerous state and national awards during her tenure. Her last gig was the Pioneer Valley Editor-in-Chief overseeing the Greenfield Recorder, Daily Hampshire Gazette and Athol Daily News. She's officially done with journalism and concentrating on writing fiction.
After eleven years in Northern New Mexico, Joan returned to rural Western Massachusetts, which is the setting of much of her adult fiction, including the Isabel Long Mystery Series.
She has completed seven books so far in her mystery series featuring Isabel Long, a longtime journalist who becomes an amateur P.I. They are: Chasing the Case, Redneck's Revenge, Checking the Traps, Killing the Story. Working the Beat, Following the Lead, and Missing the Deadline. Her Hilltown Books include The Sweet Spot, The Sacred Dog, and Northern Comfort.
An award-winning journalist, Joan started as a reporter covering the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. She was an editor, columnist, and the managing editor of The Taos News, which won numerous state and national awards during her tenure. Her last gig was the Pioneer Valley Editor-in-Chief overseeing the Greenfield Recorder, Daily Hampshire Gazette and Athol Daily News. She's officially done with journalism and concentrating on writing fiction.
After eleven years in Northern New Mexico, Joan returned to rural Western Massachusetts, which is the setting of much of her adult fiction, including the Isabel Long Mystery Series.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 1, 2026
The Unforgiving Town is the sequel to The Sacred Dog, and both books are set in a New England hilltown. As, the author states in her introduction to the series at the back of book 2, ‘Crime in a small town can get personal – sometimes with deadly consequences.’ I knew as soon as I opened the book that I was in for a roller-coaster of a read.
Al Kitchen returns to his home town following 18 years in jail for beating a man to death during a botched robbery. He has nowhere to go except the old house his grandmother was living in, which is being cared for by his cousin, Bernie. There’s no job for Al to come back to, and the occupation he originally had, as a truck driver, is now beyond him because he has no driving license and his truck needs fixing. After serving his time, his future seems hopeless, and no one in Holden is going to cut him any slack except his cousin. Scott, the local police chief, of course, realises the situation could be difficult and is trying to keep a lid on it. Add into the mix the death of Al whilst out riding his bike, and you’ve got a page-turning mystery that will keep you glued to your seat.
There are a lot of characters in this book, but they are all distinct, and some are more likeable than others. But that’s how it is in any small, provincial town the world over. I really enjoyed reading about small-town America, and the author presents the scenarios and characters with great depth and empathy. The dynamics between some of the principal characters fizz with tension, and the culprit behind the death is well-hidden in plain sight.
The narrative reads exceptionally well, as does the dialogue. As Scott’s investigation into Al’s death ramps up to an unexpected conclusion, I was left considering murder (or was it?) in small-town America and a plot that kept me guessing to the end.
Al Kitchen returns to his home town following 18 years in jail for beating a man to death during a botched robbery. He has nowhere to go except the old house his grandmother was living in, which is being cared for by his cousin, Bernie. There’s no job for Al to come back to, and the occupation he originally had, as a truck driver, is now beyond him because he has no driving license and his truck needs fixing. After serving his time, his future seems hopeless, and no one in Holden is going to cut him any slack except his cousin. Scott, the local police chief, of course, realises the situation could be difficult and is trying to keep a lid on it. Add into the mix the death of Al whilst out riding his bike, and you’ve got a page-turning mystery that will keep you glued to your seat.
There are a lot of characters in this book, but they are all distinct, and some are more likeable than others. But that’s how it is in any small, provincial town the world over. I really enjoyed reading about small-town America, and the author presents the scenarios and characters with great depth and empathy. The dynamics between some of the principal characters fizz with tension, and the culprit behind the death is well-hidden in plain sight.
The narrative reads exceptionally well, as does the dialogue. As Scott’s investigation into Al’s death ramps up to an unexpected conclusion, I was left considering murder (or was it?) in small-town America and a plot that kept me guessing to the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Small towns have no secrets. Everyone knows them. Small towns also harbor many grudges—some big, some small. Al Kitchens bore the brunt of one of those grudges for over eighteen years, and it ultimately cost him his life.
Eighteen years earlier, Kitchens murdered the popular Frank Hooker, a man whom nearly everyone liked. He was sent to prison, and the residents of Holden would have been satisfied if he had died there. But that didn’t happen. Instead, Kitchens was released. Soon after, one early morning, he was found dead on the side of the road with his head cracked open.
There are many suspects, and no one seems particularly saddened by his death—except for his cousin, Bernie. It’s up to Police Chief Scott Stevens to unravel the mystery and determine who finally settled the score.
The Unforgiving Town by Joan Livingston is a terrific mystery. The pacing is excellent, and I found myself unable to put the book down until I discovered who the culprit was. I made my guesses along the way—but I was wrong. Readers won’t know the truth until the final pages.
The novel also offers a close look at small-town America. The characters come vividly to life through Livingston’s engaging prose and strong storytelling style.
I’ve never been disappointed by one of Livingston’s books, and I believe I’ve read them all. The Unforgiving Town is a first-class, five-star read that I highly recommend.
— Joseph Lewis, author of Fan Mail and Black Yéʼii (The Evil One)
Eighteen years earlier, Kitchens murdered the popular Frank Hooker, a man whom nearly everyone liked. He was sent to prison, and the residents of Holden would have been satisfied if he had died there. But that didn’t happen. Instead, Kitchens was released. Soon after, one early morning, he was found dead on the side of the road with his head cracked open.
There are many suspects, and no one seems particularly saddened by his death—except for his cousin, Bernie. It’s up to Police Chief Scott Stevens to unravel the mystery and determine who finally settled the score.
The Unforgiving Town by Joan Livingston is a terrific mystery. The pacing is excellent, and I found myself unable to put the book down until I discovered who the culprit was. I made my guesses along the way—but I was wrong. Readers won’t know the truth until the final pages.
The novel also offers a close look at small-town America. The characters come vividly to life through Livingston’s engaging prose and strong storytelling style.
I’ve never been disappointed by one of Livingston’s books, and I believe I’ve read them all. The Unforgiving Town is a first-class, five-star read that I highly recommend.
— Joseph Lewis, author of Fan Mail and Black Yéʼii (The Evil One)
April 11, 2026
In small towns everywhere, including America, most of the residents know all the others, especially if they've lived there for a long time. They meet each other in the places they frequent and gossip about common acquaintances.
That's unfortunate for Al Kitchen, who everyone thinks was released too early from prison, where he served time for killing a popular man, and no one is surprised when he's found dead. But who caused his death? Several people could have done it.
As I got to know post-incarceration Al, I liked the way he'd become a good, caring individual and was sorry he had to die. I kept changing my mind about who was responsible for Al's death, and couldn't be sure until the revelation at the end.
This novel is well-written and well-paced. It's the perfect sequel to The Sacred Dog, although it can be read stand-alone. Highly recommended.
That's unfortunate for Al Kitchen, who everyone thinks was released too early from prison, where he served time for killing a popular man, and no one is surprised when he's found dead. But who caused his death? Several people could have done it.
As I got to know post-incarceration Al, I liked the way he'd become a good, caring individual and was sorry he had to die. I kept changing my mind about who was responsible for Al's death, and couldn't be sure until the revelation at the end.
This novel is well-written and well-paced. It's the perfect sequel to The Sacred Dog, although it can be read stand-alone. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews