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No Coming Back
Eighteen years ago, Jenna Luckman disappeared, presumed murdered. Her boyfriend, Jake Olson, hasn’t been home since. Now he’s coming back to find her killer.
Since he last set foot in Harper, Minnesota, Jake’s whole life has changed beyond recognition, but the place seems just as he left it. Small-town politics and gossip rule, and his return is big news.
When a body is discovered at the frozen Hangman Falls, Jake is beset by a snowstorm of anger and revenge. Hounded by grudges and feared by the townsfolk, Jake is determined to uncover the truth behind his girlfriend’s disappearance. But he still has enemies in town and they have other plans for him.
Betrayed at every turn and unsure whom to trust, Jake’s quest for the truth rekindles old rivalries and rouses ghosts that should never have been disturbed. He wants above all to find the peace of mind that has so long eluded him. But no man can escape his past.
Since he last set foot in Harper, Minnesota, Jake’s whole life has changed beyond recognition, but the place seems just as he left it. Small-town politics and gossip rule, and his return is big news.
When a body is discovered at the frozen Hangman Falls, Jake is beset by a snowstorm of anger and revenge. Hounded by grudges and feared by the townsfolk, Jake is determined to uncover the truth behind his girlfriend’s disappearance. But he still has enemies in town and they have other plans for him.
Betrayed at every turn and unsure whom to trust, Jake’s quest for the truth rekindles old rivalries and rouses ghosts that should never have been disturbed. He wants above all to find the peace of mind that has so long eluded him. But no man can escape his past.
Audible Audio
First published October 6, 2015
1210 people are currently reading
1491 people want to read
About the author
Keith Houghton
21 books278 followersMILLION SELLING AUTHOR of the Kindle bestselling Gabe Quinn Thriller Series and the Maggie Novak Thrillers, including Kindle Store #1 books KILLING HOPE and DON'T EVEN BREATHE, as well as psychological standalone thrillers CRASH, NO COMING BACK and BEFORE YOU LEAP - roller-coaster reads with totally unexpected twists and turns - published by Thomas & Mercer.
More than ONE MILLION Crime Thrillers Sold.
100,000+ Audiobooks Sold on Amazon and Audible.
12,000+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Five-Star Reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and Audible.
13 Kindle Store Number Ones and more than 140 individual category bestsellers.
Latest novel TOLEDO BEND is out NOW!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews
June 16, 2019
I did really like this book. It sees Jake come back to his hometown, 18 years after being convicted of the murder of his girlfriend Jenna when they were teenagers. Jake is innocent of the murder, but small towns have a way of not forgetting, or forgiving. After being threatened and beaten, Jake is determined to find out the truth of Jenna's disappearance, but as he gets closer, the stakes get higher, for someone out there is guilty of the murder, and they have a lot to lose. I found this book a really edgy thriller that kept me racing through it, and the final chapters just blew me away. A recommended read for all who like their crime gritty.
July 30, 2022
Possible Trigger Warning: Child abuse
If you are a Dean Koontz or a Stephen King reader, or a psychological thriller/murder mystery fan, you will more than likely add Keith Houghton to that list if you give him a try. I know I have. His characters in this story all have very distinct personalities and his main character Jake has many problems as a result of his childhood abuse. I will admit that sometimes you won't know who you should trust, but you will almost know from the start who the "white hat" guys will be and who the 'back hat" guys will be, but how they will mesh together in this "edge of your seat physiological thriller" is spread throughout the pages until the very last one is read. Keith Houghton has created and maintains an intricately twisting storyline that is easy to follow and to get wrapped up tight in. His main character, Jake, tells most of the story. Everything is seen and told through his perspective. I really can't say enough wonderful things about this author's writing talent. With each new twist comes the totally unexpected. Just get your pot of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, sit back, put your feet up and enjoy this 340-page trip.
If you are a Dean Koontz or a Stephen King reader, or a psychological thriller/murder mystery fan, you will more than likely add Keith Houghton to that list if you give him a try. I know I have. His characters in this story all have very distinct personalities and his main character Jake has many problems as a result of his childhood abuse. I will admit that sometimes you won't know who you should trust, but you will almost know from the start who the "white hat" guys will be and who the 'back hat" guys will be, but how they will mesh together in this "edge of your seat physiological thriller" is spread throughout the pages until the very last one is read. Keith Houghton has created and maintains an intricately twisting storyline that is easy to follow and to get wrapped up tight in. His main character, Jake, tells most of the story. Everything is seen and told through his perspective. I really can't say enough wonderful things about this author's writing talent. With each new twist comes the totally unexpected. Just get your pot of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, sit back, put your feet up and enjoy this 340-page trip.
March 4, 2016
Stupid people doing Stupid things for Stupid reasons.
Also, sentences like:
"Jenna's laugh settles into a smile, sucking blood into my cheeks."
"We were as close as two halves of a clamshell, with something delicious between us."
"Hands jammed in my pockets and my head jammed up with thoughts."
Also, sentences like:
"Jenna's laugh settles into a smile, sucking blood into my cheeks."
"We were as close as two halves of a clamshell, with something delicious between us."
"Hands jammed in my pockets and my head jammed up with thoughts."
April 25, 2016
This was my first book by Houghton. I listened to the audio version.
First I want to say that the narration by Scott Merriman is top notch. He voices the characters well. He paces well. He adds to the suspense and allows the story to build.
The book was good, but not great. I invested in Jake and his quest to prove his innocence and learn what happened to his first love. This protagonist was likable and evoked compassion. I wanted what he wanted. But the end of the book disappointed. It was just too much. Every mystery requires a reader to suspend disbelief and buy into events that seem impossible. But the end of this book had a few too many elements that could not be believed. I found myself removed from the story and no longer able to buy in.
However, I am still likely to give Houghton another read.
First I want to say that the narration by Scott Merriman is top notch. He voices the characters well. He paces well. He adds to the suspense and allows the story to build.
The book was good, but not great. I invested in Jake and his quest to prove his innocence and learn what happened to his first love. This protagonist was likable and evoked compassion. I wanted what he wanted. But the end of the book disappointed. It was just too much. Every mystery requires a reader to suspend disbelief and buy into events that seem impossible. But the end of this book had a few too many elements that could not be believed. I found myself removed from the story and no longer able to buy in.
However, I am still likely to give Houghton another read.
October 14, 2015
I really wanted to like this book, but I couldn’t. I started reading it at midnight and couldn’t put it down until I finished. It was addicting in a good way, but left me horribly disappointed. Our MC, Jake, was incarcerated for 18 years and returns to his hometown to seek revenge on the killer who took his and his girlfriend’s life.
Several reasons why I didn’t like this book and why other’s might are that I absolutely hate unreliable narrators. Aside from Gone Girl, I haven’t read AND liked many books with an unreliable narrator. I’m also experiencing what I call “thrill fatigue.” Too many books stimulating too many tingly senses are a no-go for me at the moment.
As mentioned earlier, I kept reading until I finished because it honestly started out really good and was sitting on a 4 star rating, but somehow the ending plummeted my overall rating to 2 stars.
Houghton knows how to hook a reader in and take them along for the ride with the MC, but his twists are too heavy for my stomach. I felt like they were uncalled for and were simply twisted to be twisted. I don’t mind one or two twists, but the entire book was a twist until the very end. Granted, the MC hinted numerous times how often he saw the world in rose-tinted lens and is deceived by only preserving the good memories, while dumping the bad ones into the far corners of his conscious.
Basically at the end I felt like everything was a lie. I should have expected it because the synopsis hinted heavily on the dynamic of the characters. I found some of the events that took place in the book far too absurd even for fiction. There is a sort of poetic justice in the story that’s funny in a sad way. Justice was served for the wrong reasons though.
To be fair, while I personally did not like the book, I can see potential success for it. I almost feel like I’m missing a message the author is trying to convey.
Originally posted on Happiness Loading
Several reasons why I didn’t like this book and why other’s might are that I absolutely hate unreliable narrators. Aside from Gone Girl, I haven’t read AND liked many books with an unreliable narrator. I’m also experiencing what I call “thrill fatigue.” Too many books stimulating too many tingly senses are a no-go for me at the moment.
As mentioned earlier, I kept reading until I finished because it honestly started out really good and was sitting on a 4 star rating, but somehow the ending plummeted my overall rating to 2 stars.
Houghton knows how to hook a reader in and take them along for the ride with the MC, but his twists are too heavy for my stomach. I felt like they were uncalled for and were simply twisted to be twisted. I don’t mind one or two twists, but the entire book was a twist until the very end. Granted, the MC hinted numerous times how often he saw the world in rose-tinted lens and is deceived by only preserving the good memories, while dumping the bad ones into the far corners of his conscious.
Basically at the end I felt like everything was a lie. I should have expected it because the synopsis hinted heavily on the dynamic of the characters. I found some of the events that took place in the book far too absurd even for fiction. There is a sort of poetic justice in the story that’s funny in a sad way. Justice was served for the wrong reasons though.
To be fair, while I personally did not like the book, I can see potential success for it. I almost feel like I’m missing a message the author is trying to convey.
Originally posted on Happiness Loading
November 26, 2016
Psychological suspense.
Slow at the start, and long detailed descriptions in some parts. He went to jail killing his girlfriend at seventeen. Hated by his father, loved and protected by his older brother. Loved by his mother, but she left them! He's back and wants to clear his name. So many characters in this town with many secrets, what he believed and remembered or buried, didn't want to remember. Times felt very sorry for him, but ending was surprise and I questioned my feelings about Jake.
Slow at the start, and long detailed descriptions in some parts. He went to jail killing his girlfriend at seventeen. Hated by his father, loved and protected by his older brother. Loved by his mother, but she left them! He's back and wants to clear his name. So many characters in this town with many secrets, what he believed and remembered or buried, didn't want to remember. Times felt very sorry for him, but ending was surprise and I questioned my feelings about Jake.
October 8, 2015
Love, love, loved it!
The darkness of the characters, and the plot twists were amazing. I do admit, I figured out who the killer was, but never, never expected that ending.
Awesome job!
The darkness of the characters, and the plot twists were amazing. I do admit, I figured out who the killer was, but never, never expected that ending.
Awesome job!
August 13, 2016
Mixed feelings about this one, good suspence, but felt the ending unravelled rather fast compaired to the rest of the book
October 4, 2015
In No Coming Back, we meet Jake Olson years after the presumed murder of his girlfriend, Jenna Luckman. Upon returning to the small northern Minnesota town of Harper, Jake is definitely not welcomed with open arms. People remember the past and can’t let it go. He needs to face old enemies as well as old friends. Even so, Jake is determined to find out what happened to his teen girlfriend, the love of his life and the one he has never been able to get out of his mind. But can he trust his memories, and what if he discovers something he just can’t deal with? Is he finally ready to face the past and open some doors he didn’t even know existed?
This was an amazing book. I felt like I was trudging through the deep snow right along with Jake on his journey for the truth, returning home after all these years. Now a grown man, he finds what a lot of us do though--our memories of younger days are often seen through rose-colored glasses and sometimes the real truth is the hardest thing accept. Houghton paints such a vivid picture of this snowy little Minnesota town and its inhabitants. I became engrossed immediately, even chilled to the bone in places while picturing the snow filled landscapes. There were plenty of points in the book that left me gasping in surprise, others that sent my head spinning, trying to put the pieces in order. But the ending of this book was one of the most action-packed and emotional I’ve ever read, leaving me in tears both times I’ve read it. An absolutely incredible book and one I can’t recommend highly enough.
This was an amazing book. I felt like I was trudging through the deep snow right along with Jake on his journey for the truth, returning home after all these years. Now a grown man, he finds what a lot of us do though--our memories of younger days are often seen through rose-colored glasses and sometimes the real truth is the hardest thing accept. Houghton paints such a vivid picture of this snowy little Minnesota town and its inhabitants. I became engrossed immediately, even chilled to the bone in places while picturing the snow filled landscapes. There were plenty of points in the book that left me gasping in surprise, others that sent my head spinning, trying to put the pieces in order. But the ending of this book was one of the most action-packed and emotional I’ve ever read, leaving me in tears both times I’ve read it. An absolutely incredible book and one I can’t recommend highly enough.
April 25, 2016
No Coming Back is written by Keith Houghton, audiobook format narrated by Scott Merman at just about 8.5 hours. Narration is fine, you’ll have no trouble discerning who says what to who. The story, however, you may not enjoy.
If you’re looking for a feel good, happy ending, this book is not for you. It’s very rare for me to pan a book - writing a novel is a monumental effort. Ergo, even if I find the book to be a bitter pill, I still try to be objective. Well … that said ...
A sympathetic lead character, Jake, takes us through a mystery surrounding the disappearance of his girlfriend. After many chapters of sleuthing and character development, the author gets diverted to an entirely different murder tangled into the dysfunctional childhood of Jake. Disjointed? Well, duh - I guess so! What happened to the girlfriend? We never find out. Not only that, but the only character in the entire book to really like, Jake, is ultimately a bad guy … a really bad guy. No Coming Back is an extremely disappointing read, nothing redeeming.
I hate loose ends and wonder how this ever got past an editor. Not recommended.
If you’re looking for a feel good, happy ending, this book is not for you. It’s very rare for me to pan a book - writing a novel is a monumental effort. Ergo, even if I find the book to be a bitter pill, I still try to be objective. Well … that said ...
A sympathetic lead character, Jake, takes us through a mystery surrounding the disappearance of his girlfriend. After many chapters of sleuthing and character development, the author gets diverted to an entirely different murder tangled into the dysfunctional childhood of Jake. Disjointed? Well, duh - I guess so! What happened to the girlfriend? We never find out. Not only that, but the only character in the entire book to really like, Jake, is ultimately a bad guy … a really bad guy. No Coming Back is an extremely disappointing read, nothing redeeming.
I hate loose ends and wonder how this ever got past an editor. Not recommended.
February 25, 2019
A paroled convict returns to his home town to find the killer in the murder for which he was convicted 18 years earlier and faces hatred and vested interest. I did not anticipate several twists in the tale.
October 23, 2015
10/23/2015
Kindle Unlimited available as of this date.
Stand-alone novel.
I've read a lot of books, but never one like this.
The story is an absolute tragedy, but I think the author actually ended it in the best possible way for the main character.
It's the story of a boy who thought no one loved him. A man whose life never got better. In large part, it's a story about mental illness, and naivete. There is murder amidst hidden debauchery and dark secrets in a small town.
The woodsy, northern Minnesota small town setting is similar to some of John Sandford's Virgil Flowers, or even a couple of the Lucas Davenport novels. For some reason, that chilled, lake-abundant landscape is fascinating to me, but then I live in Texas where our lakes are all man-made water supplies or flood control reservoirs (and the trees are short). At any rate, that setting had me hooked and was one reason I decided to read this book.
There were a few places in the story that I felt were weak, or unexplained, but they were minor. The descriptive prose seemed so 'flowery' in the first few chapters that I wondered if I wanted to continue, but that seemed to stop after a while to improve into more ordinary language.
This book will likely always stick with me, but I am not sure I would ever read it again. It's so incredibly sad all around.
I recommend this book with the caveat that you might wait to be in the proper mood for a very dark book and not burdened too much with RL problems. I'm going to read Mr. Houghton's crime novels next.
Kindle Unlimited available as of this date.
Stand-alone novel.
I've read a lot of books, but never one like this.
The story is an absolute tragedy, but I think the author actually ended it in the best possible way for the main character.
It's the story of a boy who thought no one loved him. A man whose life never got better. In large part, it's a story about mental illness, and naivete. There is murder amidst hidden debauchery and dark secrets in a small town.
The woodsy, northern Minnesota small town setting is similar to some of John Sandford's Virgil Flowers, or even a couple of the Lucas Davenport novels. For some reason, that chilled, lake-abundant landscape is fascinating to me, but then I live in Texas where our lakes are all man-made water supplies or flood control reservoirs (and the trees are short). At any rate, that setting had me hooked and was one reason I decided to read this book.
There were a few places in the story that I felt were weak, or unexplained, but they were minor. The descriptive prose seemed so 'flowery' in the first few chapters that I wondered if I wanted to continue, but that seemed to stop after a while to improve into more ordinary language.
This book will likely always stick with me, but I am not sure I would ever read it again. It's so incredibly sad all around.
I recommend this book with the caveat that you might wait to be in the proper mood for a very dark book and not burdened too much with RL problems. I'm going to read Mr. Houghton's crime novels next.
October 5, 2017
3.5 stars. Hmm, people generally seemed to love this book or hate it. No Coming Back is a stand alone thriller from the author who brought us the very excellent Gabe Quinn series of 3 books.
Jake Olsen returns to his hometown after 18 years. He has spent most of that time in prison for the murder of his teenage girlfriend. He comes home to clear his name and find Jenna's real killer. Jake Olsen is not welcome in his hometown. Jenna's brother doesn't waste any time in issuing death threats.
A female skeleton turns up in strange circumstances and Jake is convinced it is Jenna. He starts to ask around and talks to a bunch of people who knew her. What he learns will shatter his puppy-love memories of his girlfriend.
However, the skeleton is not Jenna but someone else close to Jake. From here the plot gets very twisty indeed. Long held secrets are revealed and many people turn out to be not who they seem. A suitably ambiguous ending ties this thriller up very nicely. I liked it a lot, although I didn't totally love it. Some of the plot elements seemed too far-fetched. A good story.
Jake Olsen returns to his hometown after 18 years. He has spent most of that time in prison for the murder of his teenage girlfriend. He comes home to clear his name and find Jenna's real killer. Jake Olsen is not welcome in his hometown. Jenna's brother doesn't waste any time in issuing death threats.
A female skeleton turns up in strange circumstances and Jake is convinced it is Jenna. He starts to ask around and talks to a bunch of people who knew her. What he learns will shatter his puppy-love memories of his girlfriend.
However, the skeleton is not Jenna but someone else close to Jake. From here the plot gets very twisty indeed. Long held secrets are revealed and many people turn out to be not who they seem. A suitably ambiguous ending ties this thriller up very nicely. I liked it a lot, although I didn't totally love it. Some of the plot elements seemed too far-fetched. A good story.
May 14, 2018
I listened to this on Audible. I think the narration had a big impact on why I wasn't a huge fan of it mostly because every sentence with this guy come out as a question.
Jake Olsen has been in jail for 18 years for a crime he did not commit. His father has fallen ill so he has to return to the town he grew up in, the town that also decided his guilt all those years ago. Harper is full of more than just ghosts for Jake, its full of so many unanswered questions, ones he isn't sure he'll ever get the answers to. Jake finds out once and for all that you can never truly go home.
I think this story had the opportunity to be great. It was so close to being good and then it kind of just fell off and that was it. The beginning and outline of the story gave me such hope for something great, and then it was over. The ending was absolutely awful, and so cheesy. I think after every literary troupe had been used that the author wasn't quite sure where to go with it, and that's how we got the ending that we did. I'm glad I didn't spend very much on this because it was so disappointing.
Jake Olsen has been in jail for 18 years for a crime he did not commit. His father has fallen ill so he has to return to the town he grew up in, the town that also decided his guilt all those years ago. Harper is full of more than just ghosts for Jake, its full of so many unanswered questions, ones he isn't sure he'll ever get the answers to. Jake finds out once and for all that you can never truly go home.
I think this story had the opportunity to be great. It was so close to being good and then it kind of just fell off and that was it. The beginning and outline of the story gave me such hope for something great, and then it was over. The ending was absolutely awful, and so cheesy. I think after every literary troupe had been used that the author wasn't quite sure where to go with it, and that's how we got the ending that we did. I'm glad I didn't spend very much on this because it was so disappointing.
October 12, 2017
Jake Olson was in his teens when he was convicted of the murder of his girlfriend, Jenna Luckman. Now on parole he returns to his hometown of Harper, Minnesota, to see his sick father and, with luck, solve the murder he never committed.
This is really a pretty dopey book, so I don't intend to spend much time on it. As an example, Jake gets into town and, what a coincidence, a tree that Jake and friends played around as a kid falls over exposing a skeleton. Nature sure is kind.
The story then follows in which a group of upstanding town citizens spent much of the time while Jake was in high school humping local teens who, you know, were in it for kicks and sexual adventure. Then those guys start dying, Jake gets beat up multiple times, the coincidental skeleton ends up solving an even darker mystery, and the person who has shown no clues ends up being the killer.
Dopey. Free on Kindle Unlimited. It's not worth the wi-fi download time.
This is really a pretty dopey book, so I don't intend to spend much time on it. As an example, Jake gets into town and, what a coincidence, a tree that Jake and friends played around as a kid falls over exposing a skeleton. Nature sure is kind.
The story then follows in which a group of upstanding town citizens spent much of the time while Jake was in high school humping local teens who, you know, were in it for kicks and sexual adventure. Then those guys start dying, Jake gets beat up multiple times, the coincidental skeleton ends up solving an even darker mystery, and the person who has shown no clues ends up being the killer.
Dopey. Free on Kindle Unlimited. It's not worth the wi-fi download time.
October 30, 2015
I won this book on Goodreads and man, was it a surprise. It kept me interested and wondering 'who-did-it'. Without creating a spoiler, my initial reaction was right...to a degree, but man, there was a much bigger 'WOW' factor at the end. Did NOT see that coming!
The end did seem a little rushed. Would've liked to have had the time to absorbed myself a little longer before reaching the end, but it was a great book nonetheless. I ended up reading this in under a week. Funny thing is, I don't dream often, but I must've thought about this book a lot because during that week I did have some!
Keith - I love your style and will be on the lookout for more of your books! Thanks for the experience!
The end did seem a little rushed. Would've liked to have had the time to absorbed myself a little longer before reaching the end, but it was a great book nonetheless. I ended up reading this in under a week. Funny thing is, I don't dream often, but I must've thought about this book a lot because during that week I did have some!
Keith - I love your style and will be on the lookout for more of your books! Thanks for the experience!
January 8, 2016
No coming back is right...in regards to this book. I made it 24% and it just isn't there for me. It's supposed to be a crime thriller, but it reads like cheap noir on a stormy night. I tucked the cigar against my lips. I'm sure there was something with that dame he mentioned. Something about her. Thing is, I just never got the chance. That's how it is I thought...watching the lights from outside. Sometimes someone means to write a review and you get bad noir. No coming back? I'll be back. I need to be. I need the pages of a book in my hands. But I'll be passing on this case...
April 27, 2016
I didn't finish. I couldn't stand the inflated prose, the poor English, the black and white characterizations. Life is too short to read bad books.
September 27, 2017
So sad. Excellently read and written.
December 29, 2016
'For as long as I could remember there had been something dark and bottomless inside me. An abyss, swirling with black smoke and thorny sparks.'
So the central protagonist of No Coming Back, Jake Olson, tells us in Chapter One. You'll find yourself pitying Jake for much of your read through this exceptional novel. The past and present torment him continually when he makes his way back to his hometown of Harper, after eighteen years in prison. Accused of having murdered his girlfriend all those years ago, he's determined to find the killer and, in doing so, prove his innocence once and for all.
As he goes about trying to uncover the mystery of what happened, he finds out things he would rather have never known and makes a host of enemies in the process. You'll wish for his own sake that Jake just turns around and leaves town, but - much like him - the more you learn about the murder and the townspeople, the more you'll want to find out.
After the first major revelation in No Coming Back (Chapter 11, my favourite chapter in any novel I've read this year), you'll not want to put the book down again. It's builds into an avalanche of revelations, twists, and surprises that will keep you glued to the pages. The characters are interesting, original, and unpredictable. The town of Harper, Minnesota is an excellent setting for a thriller like this; atmospheric, hostile, and perfectly suited to action and mystery. The action scenes in the latter half of the novel are very intense and compelling.
Without giving anything away, I should mention that the very final moments of this book are truly original and bold, too. Much like the novel itself, it's unexpected, surprising, and brilliant. No Coming Back is an excellent read - I recommend it to anybody that likes thrillers, mystery, and action.
So the central protagonist of No Coming Back, Jake Olson, tells us in Chapter One. You'll find yourself pitying Jake for much of your read through this exceptional novel. The past and present torment him continually when he makes his way back to his hometown of Harper, after eighteen years in prison. Accused of having murdered his girlfriend all those years ago, he's determined to find the killer and, in doing so, prove his innocence once and for all.
As he goes about trying to uncover the mystery of what happened, he finds out things he would rather have never known and makes a host of enemies in the process. You'll wish for his own sake that Jake just turns around and leaves town, but - much like him - the more you learn about the murder and the townspeople, the more you'll want to find out.
After the first major revelation in No Coming Back (Chapter 11, my favourite chapter in any novel I've read this year), you'll not want to put the book down again. It's builds into an avalanche of revelations, twists, and surprises that will keep you glued to the pages. The characters are interesting, original, and unpredictable. The town of Harper, Minnesota is an excellent setting for a thriller like this; atmospheric, hostile, and perfectly suited to action and mystery. The action scenes in the latter half of the novel are very intense and compelling.
Without giving anything away, I should mention that the very final moments of this book are truly original and bold, too. Much like the novel itself, it's unexpected, surprising, and brilliant. No Coming Back is an excellent read - I recommend it to anybody that likes thrillers, mystery, and action.
October 14, 2015
When I was looking into what book to read next I saw some rave reviews on THE Book Club for this first stand alone novel by Keith Houghton. It also has over 25 5* reviews on Amazon and ONLY 5* reviews! So in a way I was a bit nervous to read it, what if mine was the first non 5* review? But I need not have worried as this brilliantly plotted storyline deserves every one of those 5* reviews!
Jake Olsen has returned to the small town of Harper, Minnesota for the first time in 18 years, the first time since the disappearance of his girlfriend at the time Jenna Luckman. But small towns never forget and Jake faces enemy's around every corner, not knowing who he can trust but determined to find out the truth about what happened all those years ago...no matter what that truth reveals.
This book has a brilliantly written and plotted storyline that unravels on every page. It twists and turns until your head spins and you question what you have read before as Jake works his way through the past to a dramatic and perfectly timed conclusion. This is a dark thriller where everyone is a suspect and Jake won't rest till he finds out the truth, which, when it comes, is a shock to the system! When I first started the book I wasn't even sure if I was going to enjoy it but it dragged me in and grabbed hold of me until I physically couldn't put it down!
I haven't read any of Keith's books before but I am certainly now going to check out the Gabe Quinn trilogy based on how much I loved this book.
I highly recommend this book especially if you are a fan of Linwood Barclay or Harlan Cohen.
I received a copy of the book via netgalley in return for an unbiased opinion so many thanks to them and the publisher Thomas and Mercer for that opportunity.
Jake Olsen has returned to the small town of Harper, Minnesota for the first time in 18 years, the first time since the disappearance of his girlfriend at the time Jenna Luckman. But small towns never forget and Jake faces enemy's around every corner, not knowing who he can trust but determined to find out the truth about what happened all those years ago...no matter what that truth reveals.
This book has a brilliantly written and plotted storyline that unravels on every page. It twists and turns until your head spins and you question what you have read before as Jake works his way through the past to a dramatic and perfectly timed conclusion. This is a dark thriller where everyone is a suspect and Jake won't rest till he finds out the truth, which, when it comes, is a shock to the system! When I first started the book I wasn't even sure if I was going to enjoy it but it dragged me in and grabbed hold of me until I physically couldn't put it down!
I haven't read any of Keith's books before but I am certainly now going to check out the Gabe Quinn trilogy based on how much I loved this book.
I highly recommend this book especially if you are a fan of Linwood Barclay or Harlan Cohen.
I received a copy of the book via netgalley in return for an unbiased opinion so many thanks to them and the publisher Thomas and Mercer for that opportunity.
December 19, 2016
Hmmmmm I'm not really sure how I felt about this book. It goes off in so many directions it hard to feel any sentimentality for the twists that happen. I also can't decide if I liked the ending or not, but I can see why is has a polarizing effect.
December 17, 2016
No Coming Back by Keith Houghton is a mystery and thriller and general fiction (adult) read.
Eighteen years ago, Jenna Luckman disappeared, presumed murdered. Her boyfriend, Jake Olson, hasn’t been home since. Now he’s coming back to find her killer.
Since he last set foot in Harper, Minnesota, Jake’s whole life has changed beyond recognition, but the place seems just as he left it. Small-town politics and gossip rule, and his return is big news.
When a body is discovered at the frozen Hangman Falls, Jake is beset by a snowstorm of anger and revenge. Hounded by grudges and feared by the townsfolk, Jake is determined to uncover the truth behind his girlfriend’s disappearance. But he still has enemies in town and they have other plans for him.
Betrayed at every turn and unsure whom to trust, Jake’s quest for the truth rekindles old rivalries and rouses ghosts that should never have been disturbed. He wants above all to find the peace of mind that has so long eluded him. But no man can escape his past.
This was a good read with good characters. Little slow but I managed to read it. 4*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.
Eighteen years ago, Jenna Luckman disappeared, presumed murdered. Her boyfriend, Jake Olson, hasn’t been home since. Now he’s coming back to find her killer.
Since he last set foot in Harper, Minnesota, Jake’s whole life has changed beyond recognition, but the place seems just as he left it. Small-town politics and gossip rule, and his return is big news.
When a body is discovered at the frozen Hangman Falls, Jake is beset by a snowstorm of anger and revenge. Hounded by grudges and feared by the townsfolk, Jake is determined to uncover the truth behind his girlfriend’s disappearance. But he still has enemies in town and they have other plans for him.
Betrayed at every turn and unsure whom to trust, Jake’s quest for the truth rekindles old rivalries and rouses ghosts that should never have been disturbed. He wants above all to find the peace of mind that has so long eluded him. But no man can escape his past.
This was a good read with good characters. Little slow but I managed to read it. 4*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.
October 10, 2015
This is the first Keith Houghton book I have read and I don't think that I could have started with a better one.
After serving a long murder sentence for killing his sweetheart as a teenager, Jake Olson has to return to his home town of Harper after his father has had a massive stroke. His return is not welcomed by most of the population there, but he is determined to find out who really killed his girlfriend Jenna because he knows he didn't.
This story is compelling as soon as you start to read it. Keith Houghton conjours up such strong images, the town, the woods, smells and people. The thing I loved about this story the most was how he put such emotion into his characters. The hate was frightening and with Jake I felt everything he felt. The end of the book was both shocking and so very moving. A brilliant must buy book. I have already bought a further 3 books now by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Thomas and Mercer for allowing me to read and review this book.
After serving a long murder sentence for killing his sweetheart as a teenager, Jake Olson has to return to his home town of Harper after his father has had a massive stroke. His return is not welcomed by most of the population there, but he is determined to find out who really killed his girlfriend Jenna because he knows he didn't.
This story is compelling as soon as you start to read it. Keith Houghton conjours up such strong images, the town, the woods, smells and people. The thing I loved about this story the most was how he put such emotion into his characters. The hate was frightening and with Jake I felt everything he felt. The end of the book was both shocking and so very moving. A brilliant must buy book. I have already bought a further 3 books now by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Thomas and Mercer for allowing me to read and review this book.
February 27, 2018
Thanks to netgalley.com, Keith Houghton and publisher Thomas & Mercer for the advance ARC for my honest review.
This one just sucks you in, Jake Olsen's likable, full of twists and turns, multiple storylines interwine then you get to the ending and you ask yourself.
Why come back? When you read the ending. Seriously you kill your Mom and Brother due to your abandonment issues and seems like you wouldn't risk getting found out for them.
Jake spent 18 years in prison, after wrongly being accused of murdering his girlfriend and do to his dad suffering a stroke. He's able to return home, were he plans to find the real killer.
No Coming Back, supposed to be a dark disturbing book, multiple storylines intertwine, revolving around what goes on in Harper, Minnesota and an ending were the Keith Houghton just hits the easy button while answering each of the storylines.
Just feel the end, could have been a lot better than it was and all because Jake wanted a family. Really after he killed his mother and brother and turned the ventilator off on his father.
This one just sucks you in, Jake Olsen's likable, full of twists and turns, multiple storylines interwine then you get to the ending and you ask yourself.
Why come back? When you read the ending. Seriously you kill your Mom and Brother due to your abandonment issues and seems like you wouldn't risk getting found out for them.
Jake spent 18 years in prison, after wrongly being accused of murdering his girlfriend and do to his dad suffering a stroke. He's able to return home, were he plans to find the real killer.
No Coming Back, supposed to be a dark disturbing book, multiple storylines intertwine, revolving around what goes on in Harper, Minnesota and an ending were the Keith Houghton just hits the easy button while answering each of the storylines.
Just feel the end, could have been a lot better than it was and all because Jake wanted a family. Really after he killed his mother and brother and turned the ventilator off on his father.
December 29, 2016
I picked this up completely by chance as it came up on my BookBub deals and I really was not disappointed. Houghton weaves a web of mystery and intrigue that stretches over nearly 20 years and finds Jeff dealing with more than his dying father and the past murder of his girlfriend, a crime which sent him to prison for 18 years. The story builds slowly at first as Jeff begins to uncover what really happened to Jenna but as the pieces come together the story moves faster and faster before reaching its climatic conclusion. A conclusion that you do not see coming, I almost got it but not quite, I did not see that final puzzle piece coming at all.
December 23, 2017
Ensure no coming back
Good plot,emotional appeal,intriguing,interesting but haunted by a negativity.Writer proved that freaks or children with problems have wicked vindictive minds .A bad precedent for impressionable minds .Society will shun such people giving way to hatred.Writer spun lots of yarn about the girls murder but ultimately it receives no attention.I feel the writer lost the train of thought and ended the book on a depressing,cowardly act .Books consciously and subconsciously shape our thoughts so it's a writer's responsibility to encourage positive and rational thoughts.Apart from this book is a good read.
Good plot,emotional appeal,intriguing,interesting but haunted by a negativity.Writer proved that freaks or children with problems have wicked vindictive minds .A bad precedent for impressionable minds .Society will shun such people giving way to hatred.Writer spun lots of yarn about the girls murder but ultimately it receives no attention.I feel the writer lost the train of thought and ended the book on a depressing,cowardly act .Books consciously and subconsciously shape our thoughts so it's a writer's responsibility to encourage positive and rational thoughts.Apart from this book is a good read.
December 15, 2017
A strong central plot in this mystery thriller. Very detailed in places but the story still flows at a good pace with many twists and a few red herrings thrown in. I thought I worked out who the bad guys was a couple of times but there's no chance of guessing the ending. I would have given it 5 stars but for what I felt was a slightly rushed ending. Enjoyable and recommended.
January 2, 2019
Really less than 3 stars but I weirdly wanted to see how it ended, I really disliked the unreliable narrator thing going on with this book, knew that ending was coming and the writing style I found a bit patronizing to the reader - sorry I hate leaving bad reviews but this really could have been a good book
July 1, 2016
Loved it! Good twist at the end (I won't give anything away). Looking forward to reading more from Houghton.
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