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Downriver
Downriver is an evocative, gorgeously written short the tale of one woman's past—and her inability to escape it—from Jess Montgomery, author of the Kinship series."Now that I'm dying, I must decide what to do about the necklace."In 1939, many years ago, Rona Carter was a shy, lonely girl. Nothing like the pretty, popular Emily—the golden girl of Liberty, Ohio. Emily, whose body was found in the river.Now, the legend of Emily's death has lived on in Rona, in the town, and in the tiger's eye necklace that Emily’s mother gave her. Forced to reckon with her own mortality, Rona must decide whether to share a secret long kept buried—or take it to her grave.
29 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2021
44 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Jess Montgomery
8 books497 followersJESS MONTGOMERY is the author of the Kinship Historical Mystery series, inspired by a true-life 1920s female sheriff in Appalachia.
-->Learn more, read excerpts and find book club discussion questions at www.jessmontgomeryauthor.com.
-->Follow Jess on BookBub to get free alerts when her books go on sale: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jess-...
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Under Jess's given name, she is a columnist for Writer's Digest, "Level Up Your Writing (Life)." Jess also interviews authors and artists on her podcast: "Tea with Jess: Chatting with Authors and Artists." Find the podcast "Tea with Jess" on podcast directories or her website.
Her first novel in the Kinship Historical Mystery series, THE WIDOWS, won the Readers' Choice in Fiction for the 2019 Ohioana Awards. Jess is a three-time recipient of the Individual Excellence Award in Literary Arts from the Ohio Arts Council, and has been a John E. Nance Writer in Residence at Thurber House (Columbus, Ohio).
She lives in her native Ohio, and in addition to writing, loves spending time with family and friends, reading, crocheting, baking (especially pies), spoiling her cats and houseplants, hiking, swimming, and fishing.
-->Learn more, read excerpts and find book club discussion questions at www.jessmontgomeryauthor.com.
-->Follow Jess on BookBub to get free alerts when her books go on sale: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jess-...
-->Stay in touch, get updates, and receive bonus content through her free enewsletter, https://www.subscribepage.com/jessmon... or on Facebook @JessMontgomeryAuthor
Under Jess's given name, she is a columnist for Writer's Digest, "Level Up Your Writing (Life)." Jess also interviews authors and artists on her podcast: "Tea with Jess: Chatting with Authors and Artists." Find the podcast "Tea with Jess" on podcast directories or her website.
Her first novel in the Kinship Historical Mystery series, THE WIDOWS, won the Readers' Choice in Fiction for the 2019 Ohioana Awards. Jess is a three-time recipient of the Individual Excellence Award in Literary Arts from the Ohio Arts Council, and has been a John E. Nance Writer in Residence at Thurber House (Columbus, Ohio).
She lives in her native Ohio, and in addition to writing, loves spending time with family and friends, reading, crocheting, baking (especially pies), spoiling her cats and houseplants, hiking, swimming, and fishing.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 4, 2025
Downriver is a short story written by Jess Montgomery about the last days of a woman in Ohio who has a confession. I've read the author's primary series and loved the books, so I wanted to check out this one. The books have a great historical fiction tone, and in this story, the death of someone nearly 75 years ago weighs heavily on the protagonist's mind. As she cradles the necklace that plays an important role, readers are treated to memories and a wonderful landscape. It's a great way to see if you like the author's writing style. I recommend it.
September 27, 2025
"She'd stared over the railing at the moonlight speckling and shimmering on the ocean surface and imagined Lady Liberty waiting for her on the dark horizon."
- Jess Montgomery, Downriver
Review of this great story to follow.
It was a gorgeous, historical mystery, moody, and misty, and shrouded in secrecy.
Years ago, a classmate of Rona’s mysteriously died.
Rona was often picked on by the beautiful girl, who, unfortunately became a murder victim. Emily was her name.
What happened to her?
It may not be what you think.
This almost ethereal short story takes a very short time to read. It combines the genres of historical fiction and mystery and what an odd little tale it is too!
Several times, I thought I knew where the plot was going, but it fooled me.
The protagonist, Rona was absorbing and fascinating. One doesn’t know what to think of her from moment to moment.
I’m a big fan of short stories, particularly in the two above mentioned genres.
If you’re looking for one, that’s moody and pensive, and probably doesn’t go at all in the direction you might think it does from reading the brief description, trust me you should pick up a copy.
It’s as satisfying as any full length book and the mood is perfect.
SPOILERS
Of course, I thought, based on the description that Rona would herself turn out to be a psychopath. Yet that is not where this particular story chooses to go and I’m glad.
Yet the story’s denouement it leaves the reader shaken with what it says about the selfish whims of human nature.
.
- Jess Montgomery, Downriver
Review of this great story to follow.
It was a gorgeous, historical mystery, moody, and misty, and shrouded in secrecy.
Years ago, a classmate of Rona’s mysteriously died.
Rona was often picked on by the beautiful girl, who, unfortunately became a murder victim. Emily was her name.
What happened to her?
It may not be what you think.
This almost ethereal short story takes a very short time to read. It combines the genres of historical fiction and mystery and what an odd little tale it is too!
Several times, I thought I knew where the plot was going, but it fooled me.
The protagonist, Rona was absorbing and fascinating. One doesn’t know what to think of her from moment to moment.
I’m a big fan of short stories, particularly in the two above mentioned genres.
If you’re looking for one, that’s moody and pensive, and probably doesn’t go at all in the direction you might think it does from reading the brief description, trust me you should pick up a copy.
It’s as satisfying as any full length book and the mood is perfect.
SPOILERS
Of course, I thought, based on the description that Rona would herself turn out to be a psychopath. Yet that is not where this particular story chooses to go and I’m glad.
Yet the story’s denouement it leaves the reader shaken with what it says about the selfish whims of human nature.
.
December 20, 2022
Intriguing short story
I enjoyed this fast read, written in first person in the voice of a misfit type of person. The story describes a rather rough life from a childhood of poverty and abuse, to her life as an “old maid” with one central story connecting the eras of her life. It’s very well written in a quirky, creative sort of way. I will definitely read more of this author’s work.
I enjoyed this fast read, written in first person in the voice of a misfit type of person. The story describes a rather rough life from a childhood of poverty and abuse, to her life as an “old maid” with one central story connecting the eras of her life. It’s very well written in a quirky, creative sort of way. I will definitely read more of this author’s work.
October 20, 2024
This wasn’t really a book—just a short story. I’m not sure what the story is behind Ms. Montgomery writing this because it left me with so many questions. It could’ve been made into a full book that, being familiar with the author’s writings, would probably have been great.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews