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White River: A Novel
Sometimes the smallest of towns hold the biggest secrets . . .
The clear, cold waters of the White River carve a twisting path through the heart of the Ozark Mountains, passing farms and limestone bluff walls, country roads and large tracts of dense forest on its journey. But for everything this life-giving body brings to the area, its secrets are even more powerful.
During the autumn of 1990, the residents of Fairhope, Arkansas, were more focused on the undefeated high school football team than on deer hunting or trout fishing or any of the other bucolic pastimes that make up daily life in the small Ozark town. But on the night the Fairhope Tigers secured their spot in the state championship playoffs, sixteen-year-old outcast Emma Drake disappeared after telling her mother she was going to the local library for her usual study session. There were rumors that she had left town to escape her poverty-stricken home life or the near constant bullying she received at the hands of the school’s most popular girls. She almost became a forgotten name, one of the countless runaways who are lost forever.
But two days later, her nude body was found along the banks of the White River, stripping the community of its innocence and shattering its sense of security.
The Tigers went on to win the state football championship, Christmas came and went, and Emma Drake’s murder gradually faded from the minds of Fairhope’s citizens—the local authorities ruling her death the act of a passing vagrant who was never identified.
Twenty-five years later, Claire Matthews is struggling to pull her life back together. She was once a shining star in the newsroom of the Arkansas Telegraph, climbing her way to the position she was born for: Chief Political Reporter. But lately, her entire life seems to be on a downward trajectory. After a bitter breakup with the man she had hoped to spend her future with, she is surprised when her editor demotes her, forcing her to work on a series of articles about cold cases, rather than covering the political scene she so loves. But when she comes across the story of Emma Drake in the Telegraph’s archives, Claire sees a chance to salvage her floundering career—perhaps, her only chance.
She travels to Fairhope and begins to dig into the secrets of what happened to Emma Drake that cold November night, but soon after her arrival it’s clear someone is desperate to keep the truth hidden. Another murder rocks the tiny community, and Claire must race to uncover the killer’s identity before she becomes the next victim.
And when the truth is finally revealed, it will shake the very foundations of this sleepy Ozark town.
The clear, cold waters of the White River carve a twisting path through the heart of the Ozark Mountains, passing farms and limestone bluff walls, country roads and large tracts of dense forest on its journey. But for everything this life-giving body brings to the area, its secrets are even more powerful.
During the autumn of 1990, the residents of Fairhope, Arkansas, were more focused on the undefeated high school football team than on deer hunting or trout fishing or any of the other bucolic pastimes that make up daily life in the small Ozark town. But on the night the Fairhope Tigers secured their spot in the state championship playoffs, sixteen-year-old outcast Emma Drake disappeared after telling her mother she was going to the local library for her usual study session. There were rumors that she had left town to escape her poverty-stricken home life or the near constant bullying she received at the hands of the school’s most popular girls. She almost became a forgotten name, one of the countless runaways who are lost forever.
But two days later, her nude body was found along the banks of the White River, stripping the community of its innocence and shattering its sense of security.
The Tigers went on to win the state football championship, Christmas came and went, and Emma Drake’s murder gradually faded from the minds of Fairhope’s citizens—the local authorities ruling her death the act of a passing vagrant who was never identified.
Twenty-five years later, Claire Matthews is struggling to pull her life back together. She was once a shining star in the newsroom of the Arkansas Telegraph, climbing her way to the position she was born for: Chief Political Reporter. But lately, her entire life seems to be on a downward trajectory. After a bitter breakup with the man she had hoped to spend her future with, she is surprised when her editor demotes her, forcing her to work on a series of articles about cold cases, rather than covering the political scene she so loves. But when she comes across the story of Emma Drake in the Telegraph’s archives, Claire sees a chance to salvage her floundering career—perhaps, her only chance.
She travels to Fairhope and begins to dig into the secrets of what happened to Emma Drake that cold November night, but soon after her arrival it’s clear someone is desperate to keep the truth hidden. Another murder rocks the tiny community, and Claire must race to uncover the killer’s identity before she becomes the next victim.
And when the truth is finally revealed, it will shake the very foundations of this sleepy Ozark town.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 22, 2016
40 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
J. Michael Stewart
6 books11 followersJ. Michael Stewart is the author of four novels. An avid fisherman, he spends his free time on a lake or river whenever possible. He lives in Northern Arkansas near the White River and Bull Shoals Lake with his wife and daughter.
To contact him, or for more information about J. Michael Stewart, please visit www.authorjmichaelstewart.com.
To contact him, or for more information about J. Michael Stewart, please visit www.authorjmichaelstewart.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 10, 2019
Why do many 5 stars ???
Where to begin...Stewart said he had input from teen re character Emma's journal, umm, I found the journal not believable as something a young teen would write. Police chief character Noah seemed a complete dunce allowing Claire to wander thru crime scene, later in book asks her to take supposed murderer's wife home. Clare's former lover Kyle is a senator but Claire had no trouble breaking into his home...no security at all? Most ridiculous was a large, loud, whistle blaring freight train rumbling thru middle of town...huh ? Middle of town is dangerous don't you think? Book was ridiculously simple minded.😴
Where to begin...Stewart said he had input from teen re character Emma's journal, umm, I found the journal not believable as something a young teen would write. Police chief character Noah seemed a complete dunce allowing Claire to wander thru crime scene, later in book asks her to take supposed murderer's wife home. Clare's former lover Kyle is a senator but Claire had no trouble breaking into his home...no security at all? Most ridiculous was a large, loud, whistle blaring freight train rumbling thru middle of town...huh ? Middle of town is dangerous don't you think? Book was ridiculously simple minded.😴
September 5, 2018
White River
Really good story. From the very first page I was hooked. It keeps you guessing til the very last. The story was so descriptive and well written and made me feel so sad for Emma and what she endured.
Really good story. From the very first page I was hooked. It keeps you guessing til the very last. The story was so descriptive and well written and made me feel so sad for Emma and what she endured.
October 9, 2016
Review
I am giving this a three because it felt rushed especially the ending. Several characters if they had been developed would have made a better, even a great story.
The author seemed to have tired of his own novel, and instead of answering the loose end questions simply ended by basically stating there are many questions you are left with will never be answered.
Great premise, good story and could have been really good, but is only mediocre in the end.
I am giving this a three because it felt rushed especially the ending. Several characters if they had been developed would have made a better, even a great story.
The author seemed to have tired of his own novel, and instead of answering the loose end questions simply ended by basically stating there are many questions you are left with will never be answered.
Great premise, good story and could have been really good, but is only mediocre in the end.
July 24, 2016
A thrilling cold case!!
Extremely well written story about a cold case that newspaper reporter, Claire ultimately solves and who finds herself drawn into the lives of those involved with feelings of sadness and hate. Impossible to put this story aside, as it holds your interest until the very end.
Extremely well written story about a cold case that newspaper reporter, Claire ultimately solves and who finds herself drawn into the lives of those involved with feelings of sadness and hate. Impossible to put this story aside, as it holds your interest until the very end.
April 27, 2016
I loved this book. It kept me interesred and I couldn't put it down. This is another great book by J. Michael Stewart.
I would recommend this to everyone. Great book and great writing. It was truly a pleasure to read. Thank you!!
I would recommend this to everyone. Great book and great writing. It was truly a pleasure to read. Thank you!!
August 9, 2016
Ok read
I wanted to like this book, but the main character read like an immature, self important teenager, not a 32 year old reporter. The plot was a good one.
I wanted to like this book, but the main character read like an immature, self important teenager, not a 32 year old reporter. The plot was a good one.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews