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So Cold the River
Now a major motion So Cold the River is a chilling, supernatural tale "guaranteed to put the cold finger down your spine" (Michael Connelly).
It started with a beautiful woman and a challenge. As a gift for her husband, Alyssa Bradford approaches Eric Shaw to make a documentary about her father-in-law, Campbell Bradford, a 95-year-old billionaire whose past is wrapped in mystery. Eric grabs the job even though there are few clues to the man's past -- just the name of his hometown and an antique water bottle he's kept his entire life.
In Bradford's hometown, Eric discovers an extraordinary history -- a glorious domed hotel where movie stars, presidents, athletes, and mobsters once mingled, and hot springs whose miraculous mineral water cured everything from insomnia to malaria. Neglected for years, the resort has been restored to its former grandeur just in time for Eric's stay.
Just hours after his arrival, Eric experiences a frighteningly vivid vision. As the days pass, the frequency and intensity of his hallucinations increase and draw Eric deeper into the town's dark history. He discovers that something besides the hotel has been restored -- a long-forgotten evil that will stop at nothing to regain its lost glory. Brilliantly imagined and terrifyingly real, So Cold the River is a tale of irresistible suspense with a racing, unstoppable current.
It started with a beautiful woman and a challenge. As a gift for her husband, Alyssa Bradford approaches Eric Shaw to make a documentary about her father-in-law, Campbell Bradford, a 95-year-old billionaire whose past is wrapped in mystery. Eric grabs the job even though there are few clues to the man's past -- just the name of his hometown and an antique water bottle he's kept his entire life.
In Bradford's hometown, Eric discovers an extraordinary history -- a glorious domed hotel where movie stars, presidents, athletes, and mobsters once mingled, and hot springs whose miraculous mineral water cured everything from insomnia to malaria. Neglected for years, the resort has been restored to its former grandeur just in time for Eric's stay.
Just hours after his arrival, Eric experiences a frighteningly vivid vision. As the days pass, the frequency and intensity of his hallucinations increase and draw Eric deeper into the town's dark history. He discovers that something besides the hotel has been restored -- a long-forgotten evil that will stop at nothing to regain its lost glory. Brilliantly imagined and terrifyingly real, So Cold the River is a tale of irresistible suspense with a racing, unstoppable current.
544 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
501 people are currently reading
4837 people want to read
About the author
Michael Koryta
51 books2,521 followersMichael Koryta (pronounced Ko-ree-ta) is the New York Times-bestselling author of 14 suspense novels. His work has been praised by Stephen King, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Dean Koontz, James Patterson, Dennis Lehane, Daniel Woodrell, Ron Rash, and Scott Smith among many others, and has been translated into more than 20 languages. His books have won or been nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Edgar® Award, Shamus Award, Barry Award, Quill Award, International Thriller Writers Award, and the Golden Dagger. They've been selected as "best books of the year" by publications as diverse as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com, O the Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, People, Reader's Digest, iBooks, and Kirkus Reviews.
His recent thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead was named the summer's best thriller by both Amazon and Entertainment Weekly, and was selected as one of the year's best books by more than 10 publications. The audio version was named one of the best audio books of the year, as well, the second time that Robert Petkoff's narration of Michael's work has earned such an honor. The novel is currently being adapted as a major motion picture by 20th Century Fox.
Michael's previous work ranges from a trio of supernatural novels--So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and The Ridge, which were all named New York Times notable books of the year and earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly--to stand-alone crime novels such as The Prophet (A New York Times bestseller) and Envy the Night (selected as a Reader's Digest condensed book), to a series of award-winning novels featuring private investigator Lincoln Perry--Tonight I Said Goodbye, Sorrow's Anthem, A Welcome Grave, and The Silent Hour.
Various film and television adaptations of the books are underway, with The Prophet, So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and Those Who Wish Me Dead all optioned as feature films, and the Lincoln Perry series and The Ridge being developed for television. Michael has written for the screen in both feature film and television. Oscar and Emmy winners are attached to every project.
Before turning to writing full-time, Michael worked as a private investigator and as a newspaper reporter, and taught at the Indiana University School of Journalism. He began working for a private investigator as an intern while in high school, turned it into his day job in the early stages of his writing career, and still maintains an interest in the firm. As a journalist, he won numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Michael's first novel, the Edgar-nominated Tonight I Said Goodbye was accepted for publication when he was 20 years old. He wrote his first two published novels before graduating from college, and was published in nearly 10 languages before he fulfilled the "writing requirement" classes required for his diploma.
Michael was raised in Bloomington, Indiana, where he graduated from Bloomington North High School in 2001, and later graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. In 2008 he was honored as a "distinguished young alumni" by Indiana University, and in 2010 he was named "distinguished alumni' by the criminal justice department.
Michael's passions outside of writing and reading involve a variety of outdoor pursuits - hiking, camping, boating, and fishing are all likely to occupy his free time when he's not working on a new book. Some of his favorite spots in the world are the Beartooth Mountains, the setting of Those Who Wish Me Dead and a place to which he returns at least twice a year; the flowages of the Northwoods in Wisconsin, where he began fishing with his father as a child and still returns each fall; St. Petersburg, FL, and the Maine coast.
His recent thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead was named the summer's best thriller by both Amazon and Entertainment Weekly, and was selected as one of the year's best books by more than 10 publications. The audio version was named one of the best audio books of the year, as well, the second time that Robert Petkoff's narration of Michael's work has earned such an honor. The novel is currently being adapted as a major motion picture by 20th Century Fox.
Michael's previous work ranges from a trio of supernatural novels--So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and The Ridge, which were all named New York Times notable books of the year and earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly--to stand-alone crime novels such as The Prophet (A New York Times bestseller) and Envy the Night (selected as a Reader's Digest condensed book), to a series of award-winning novels featuring private investigator Lincoln Perry--Tonight I Said Goodbye, Sorrow's Anthem, A Welcome Grave, and The Silent Hour.
Various film and television adaptations of the books are underway, with The Prophet, So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and Those Who Wish Me Dead all optioned as feature films, and the Lincoln Perry series and The Ridge being developed for television. Michael has written for the screen in both feature film and television. Oscar and Emmy winners are attached to every project.
Before turning to writing full-time, Michael worked as a private investigator and as a newspaper reporter, and taught at the Indiana University School of Journalism. He began working for a private investigator as an intern while in high school, turned it into his day job in the early stages of his writing career, and still maintains an interest in the firm. As a journalist, he won numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Michael's first novel, the Edgar-nominated Tonight I Said Goodbye was accepted for publication when he was 20 years old. He wrote his first two published novels before graduating from college, and was published in nearly 10 languages before he fulfilled the "writing requirement" classes required for his diploma.
Michael was raised in Bloomington, Indiana, where he graduated from Bloomington North High School in 2001, and later graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. In 2008 he was honored as a "distinguished young alumni" by Indiana University, and in 2010 he was named "distinguished alumni' by the criminal justice department.
Michael's passions outside of writing and reading involve a variety of outdoor pursuits - hiking, camping, boating, and fishing are all likely to occupy his free time when he's not working on a new book. Some of his favorite spots in the world are the Beartooth Mountains, the setting of Those Who Wish Me Dead and a place to which he returns at least twice a year; the flowages of the Northwoods in Wisconsin, where he began fishing with his father as a child and still returns each fall; St. Petersburg, FL, and the Maine coast.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,184 reviews
June 28, 2016
Eric is a once upon a time Los Angeles cinematographer who is currently etching out a living in Chicago, creating videos for weddings, anniversaries, graduations and funerals. Lots and lots of funerals. In fact it is at one of these events that he meets Alyssa Bradford, who makes Eric a very generous offer to travel to French Lick and West Baden, Indiana where her father in law grew up and to make a documentary based on his early years, which remain shrouded in mystery. She has also brought Eric a small bottle of mineral water, from that area, that the old man has kept in his possession for eighty odd years now. A small green, glass bottle, unopened all these many years.
Here’s the thing, I had a hard time accepting this simple act and that in turn had an impact on my enjoyment of the rest, which is unfortunate as this really is an eerie, hypnotic, slow burn of a story, with a supernatural edge.
I mean we have the beautiful West Baden Springs hotel, a lost river, the haunting strains of a violin playing a beautiful elegy, a chaotic storm brewing and restless spirits from a time long since past. Add to this a cast of truly believable characters which includes Anne, an 86 year old resident, who makes her way daily, slowly, but daily to the hotel for a cocktail and keeps a meticulous log of all weather indicators because she senses, knows really, that something big is heading their way. I just loved her!
This should all add up to a 5 star book, but for me it just never got there. I didn’t feel that creep along my spine and while the characters were well rendered I never actually felt that SNAP!
3.5 stars. (It is also the first time that I have felt so strongly that the Goodreads rating system could be improved.)
Here’s the thing, I had a hard time accepting this simple act and that in turn had an impact on my enjoyment of the rest, which is unfortunate as this really is an eerie, hypnotic, slow burn of a story, with a supernatural edge.
I mean we have the beautiful West Baden Springs hotel, a lost river, the haunting strains of a violin playing a beautiful elegy, a chaotic storm brewing and restless spirits from a time long since past. Add to this a cast of truly believable characters which includes Anne, an 86 year old resident, who makes her way daily, slowly, but daily to the hotel for a cocktail and keeps a meticulous log of all weather indicators because she senses, knows really, that something big is heading their way. I just loved her!
This should all add up to a 5 star book, but for me it just never got there. I didn’t feel that creep along my spine and while the characters were well rendered I never actually felt that SNAP!
3.5 stars. (It is also the first time that I have felt so strongly that the Goodreads rating system could be improved.)
November 16, 2019
I picked this one up at the gift shop at West Baden Springs Hotel in Indiana, the setting and inspiration for the story. I enjoyed learning more historical details about the magnificent old hotel. The story dragged at times in the middle but built towards a very exciting conclusion.
November 10, 2021
Be sure to visit my Favorites Shelf for the books I found most entertaining.
I first read Michael Koryta's, So Cold the River back in January of 2013. It was my first experience with the author for whom I'd never even heard of before. I'd read a few reviews and some compared his writing style to the likes of Stephen King. Jeez, talk about putting pressure on someone.
I remember - like it was yesterday - how engrossed I became in the story; the mysterious, almost eerie tale so very rich in history. I remember vivid descriptions; phantom trains and whispering ghosts, haunting hallucinations. I recall a well-researched story. But, most of all, I think back to the feeling I had when I sat the book down. I wanted nothing more than to travel to this mystical French Lick/West Baden in Indiana, to one-day visit the grand hotel.
April 2015: Here I am after having just completed the audiobook version; feeling amazed once again. I won't go into a detailed synopsis of the story - the description on the Goodreads book page nails it perfectly. But, it all starts with a tiny bottle of water that stays unusually cold even in the warmest environment.
“It’s strange,’ she said eventually. “Don’t you think it’s strange? The way it stays cold, the way it … I don’t know, feels. There’s something off about it. And it is the only thing - and I mean the only thing - that he had from childhood. My husband told me that he kept it in a locked drawer in his bedside table and said the bottle was a souvenir from his childhood and that no one was allowed to touch it. As you can see, it meant a lot to him for some reason. That’s why I’m so curious.”
Robert Petkoff narrated the audiobook. He didn't have the best voice, but lucky for me, I didn't need to be 'sold' the second time around. The violin music was beautiful, but even more interesting are the train sound effects. I felt like I was 'hopping a rail'.
The book is a little long; 500+ pages - and, yes - it drags a little in the middle, but once you start you won't be able to put it down. The plot is solid, and the characters are unique.
Enjoy.
I first read Michael Koryta's, So Cold the River back in January of 2013. It was my first experience with the author for whom I'd never even heard of before. I'd read a few reviews and some compared his writing style to the likes of Stephen King. Jeez, talk about putting pressure on someone.
I remember - like it was yesterday - how engrossed I became in the story; the mysterious, almost eerie tale so very rich in history. I remember vivid descriptions; phantom trains and whispering ghosts, haunting hallucinations. I recall a well-researched story. But, most of all, I think back to the feeling I had when I sat the book down. I wanted nothing more than to travel to this mystical French Lick/West Baden in Indiana, to one-day visit the grand hotel.
April 2015: Here I am after having just completed the audiobook version; feeling amazed once again. I won't go into a detailed synopsis of the story - the description on the Goodreads book page nails it perfectly. But, it all starts with a tiny bottle of water that stays unusually cold even in the warmest environment.
“It’s strange,’ she said eventually. “Don’t you think it’s strange? The way it stays cold, the way it … I don’t know, feels. There’s something off about it. And it is the only thing - and I mean the only thing - that he had from childhood. My husband told me that he kept it in a locked drawer in his bedside table and said the bottle was a souvenir from his childhood and that no one was allowed to touch it. As you can see, it meant a lot to him for some reason. That’s why I’m so curious.”
Robert Petkoff narrated the audiobook. He didn't have the best voice, but lucky for me, I didn't need to be 'sold' the second time around. The violin music was beautiful, but even more interesting are the train sound effects. I felt like I was 'hopping a rail'.
The book is a little long; 500+ pages - and, yes - it drags a little in the middle, but once you start you won't be able to put it down. The plot is solid, and the characters are unique.
Enjoy.
January 13, 2011
I'm glad I didn't listen to the mediocre reviews I read about So Cold the River. I had almost decided not to read it and that would have been my loss. All in all I really liked it though it was a tad long and probably could have been wrapped much quicker.
The strongest element that kept me reading was the back story of the the West Baden Springs Hotel and the French Lick Springs Resort (Indiana). Having just visited these this past fall I was fascinated by the way Koryta weaved the history of these stunning restored resorts into his tale. Pluto water, Sprudel water, The Lost River, and the excellently rendered characters of Campbell Bradford, and Eric Shaw made this a winner for me. Good vs. evil at its edge of the seat best! I liken So Cold the River to a train wreck waiting to happen; chug, chug, chugging along to a disastrous end with no way to stop it from derailing.. Haven't had so much fun reading a chiller in a long time.
The strongest element that kept me reading was the back story of the the West Baden Springs Hotel and the French Lick Springs Resort (Indiana). Having just visited these this past fall I was fascinated by the way Koryta weaved the history of these stunning restored resorts into his tale. Pluto water, Sprudel water, The Lost River, and the excellently rendered characters of Campbell Bradford, and Eric Shaw made this a winner for me. Good vs. evil at its edge of the seat best! I liken So Cold the River to a train wreck waiting to happen; chug, chug, chugging along to a disastrous end with no way to stop it from derailing.. Haven't had so much fun reading a chiller in a long time.
June 6, 2014
This book dragged. It started it out with a promising premise but half way through the novel I was fed up with the protagonist's resentful, self-pitying, whiny personality. He felt that he was the victim of powerful men intellectually inferior to him and much less talented and by God, even if it destroyed his career and his marriage, he was the brilliant and wronged victim and wanted everyone to agree!
The story was sluggish in places and didn't come together very satisfyingly, for me at least, in the end.
Don't misunderstand me, I'm a huge Michael Koryta fan. In fact, I have his newest novel "Those Who Wish Me Dead" on my nightstand right now. But this one was disappointing to say the least.
The story was sluggish in places and didn't come together very satisfyingly, for me at least, in the end.
Don't misunderstand me, I'm a huge Michael Koryta fan. In fact, I have his newest novel "Those Who Wish Me Dead" on my nightstand right now. But this one was disappointing to say the least.
May 15, 2024
So Cold the River is quite the dark departure from Michael Koryta’s earlier works, presenting a paranormal horror story that is a compelling ride into madness. For those who love the insidious build up of a dark and malevolent atmosphere, this is the type of thriller that will really appeal.
Eric Shaw is a one-time hollywood director of photography who now makes a living filming weddings, birthdays and funerals. When he’s hired to visit a dying multi-millionaire to document his life story he’s mildly curious but far more interested in the sizable fee he’s going to pick up for the job. What he’s not expecting is the dark presence he’s about to find when he reaches the dual towns of French Lick and West Baden, Indiana.
He’s also a bit taken aback when the woman who hired him handed him an old bottle of water sourced from the mineral springs that made the twin towns notable. Not sure what he’s meant to do with the water, he takes it with him to visit the old man.
The strangeness begins when he meets Campbell Bradford only to find his health has deteriorated to the point where speech is no longer possible. HIs eyes have glazed and become unfocused and unknowing. That is, until Eric views the man through the lens of his camera. In these moments the old man’s demeanour seems to alter, his eyes clear and he speaks clearly to answer Eric’s questions. Each time he looks at the man directly, he is a living zombie, but through the camera he’s animated.
From this point there is a definite sense that something’s off in the town of French Lick.
“Campbell Bradford. His spirit, his ghost, his evil - pick your term, Eric Shaw had returned it to the valley, and the water allowed him to see that, caught his body with agonised cravings and forced him to drink more so it could force him to see more.”
The gradual presence of the spectre that starts to affect proceedings is nicely engineered and was done in a way that can be accepted, if you’re into the idea of the supernatural world. It had the effect of creating doubt as to what was real and what was imagined by Eric and others and this doubt ensured that just about anything was possible with a very hazy line drawn between fact and fantasy.
Despite all of the otherworldly apparitions, memories and portents I never felt the tension rise above the level of uneasiness. However, this uneasiness was constant and that created a distinct restlessness in my mind as I was always waiting for the next blindside to take place. It’s an effective way of gradually increasing the pressure, building suspense and…well, making it more horrifying.
This is a story with a solid premise that could have been riveting if it were pared down to a more streamlined length. Unfortunately, I found it to contain great stretches of irrelevant sections that dragged and ultimately proved to add little significance to the story, dampening down the effects of the more action filled sections.
Eric Shaw is a one-time hollywood director of photography who now makes a living filming weddings, birthdays and funerals. When he’s hired to visit a dying multi-millionaire to document his life story he’s mildly curious but far more interested in the sizable fee he’s going to pick up for the job. What he’s not expecting is the dark presence he’s about to find when he reaches the dual towns of French Lick and West Baden, Indiana.
He’s also a bit taken aback when the woman who hired him handed him an old bottle of water sourced from the mineral springs that made the twin towns notable. Not sure what he’s meant to do with the water, he takes it with him to visit the old man.
The strangeness begins when he meets Campbell Bradford only to find his health has deteriorated to the point where speech is no longer possible. HIs eyes have glazed and become unfocused and unknowing. That is, until Eric views the man through the lens of his camera. In these moments the old man’s demeanour seems to alter, his eyes clear and he speaks clearly to answer Eric’s questions. Each time he looks at the man directly, he is a living zombie, but through the camera he’s animated.
From this point there is a definite sense that something’s off in the town of French Lick.
“Campbell Bradford. His spirit, his ghost, his evil - pick your term, Eric Shaw had returned it to the valley, and the water allowed him to see that, caught his body with agonised cravings and forced him to drink more so it could force him to see more.”
The gradual presence of the spectre that starts to affect proceedings is nicely engineered and was done in a way that can be accepted, if you’re into the idea of the supernatural world. It had the effect of creating doubt as to what was real and what was imagined by Eric and others and this doubt ensured that just about anything was possible with a very hazy line drawn between fact and fantasy.
Despite all of the otherworldly apparitions, memories and portents I never felt the tension rise above the level of uneasiness. However, this uneasiness was constant and that created a distinct restlessness in my mind as I was always waiting for the next blindside to take place. It’s an effective way of gradually increasing the pressure, building suspense and…well, making it more horrifying.
This is a story with a solid premise that could have been riveting if it were pared down to a more streamlined length. Unfortunately, I found it to contain great stretches of irrelevant sections that dragged and ultimately proved to add little significance to the story, dampening down the effects of the more action filled sections.
November 3, 2010
Oh man, this book was awful. I can't believe I finished it. It would have made a good drinking game if you were reading it at a party, though. You could do a shot whenever a character started a sentence with hell, or used damn as an adjective or said that something "damn near" happened. It wasn't that they were swear words that offended me, it was that there were a MILLION ZILLION of sentences like that. It got to where I had to set the book down and groan at parts to rally myself into plunging ahead to see if the plot paid off.
It did not.
The writing was not only bad, it was lazy. He could have been more descriptive and created better dialog if he'd put any sort of effort into it at all, instead of just going right to, "Hell, it was dark... but it was a damn good one... and he damn near fell off..." I found myself recreating the sentences in my head as I read, to make them more bearable.
In a book that's over 500 pages long, you have to use tricks like that to make yourself get to the end, if that's your goal.
The plot was predictable and forgettable. And then he padded it with meaningless drivel to add thickness between the covers. There were probably about 498 pages of fluff, seriously, Neil Gaiman could have told this story in three pages and made your spine shiver with it, instead of wanting to throw it across the room when you were done.
It did not.
The writing was not only bad, it was lazy. He could have been more descriptive and created better dialog if he'd put any sort of effort into it at all, instead of just going right to, "Hell, it was dark... but it was a damn good one... and he damn near fell off..." I found myself recreating the sentences in my head as I read, to make them more bearable.
In a book that's over 500 pages long, you have to use tricks like that to make yourself get to the end, if that's your goal.
The plot was predictable and forgettable. And then he padded it with meaningless drivel to add thickness between the covers. There were probably about 498 pages of fluff, seriously, Neil Gaiman could have told this story in three pages and made your spine shiver with it, instead of wanting to throw it across the room when you were done.
March 2, 2019
This is the only horror novel author Michael Koryta has written (as far as I'm aware) and it's perfect for fans of Stephen King and Dean Koontz.
Set predominantly in a small town, the book focuses on a couple of hotels and a deep spring with a dark and disturbing secret, one documentary film maker Eric Shaw will soon uncover.
Despite a hefty page count the novel flows as seamlessly as the underground river alluded to in the title. The characters are well fleshed out and read 'real', not dissimilar to the way King deep dives into his characters backstories.
Unfortunately there is a lot of downtime in this book and a few side plots which take time to come to fruition but overall So Cold the River is a decent read.
My rating: 3/5 stars.
Set predominantly in a small town, the book focuses on a couple of hotels and a deep spring with a dark and disturbing secret, one documentary film maker Eric Shaw will soon uncover.
Despite a hefty page count the novel flows as seamlessly as the underground river alluded to in the title. The characters are well fleshed out and read 'real', not dissimilar to the way King deep dives into his characters backstories.
Unfortunately there is a lot of downtime in this book and a few side plots which take time to come to fruition but overall So Cold the River is a decent read.
My rating: 3/5 stars.
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August 9, 2025No rating. DNF
Way, way too long. If I wanted to read a book about whirlies or wind vortex, then I'd want to read non-fiction on those measured studies.
What happened to the edItor?
This become lost within a 10,000 mile detour. With such a good start and premise?
Do I understand why this seems his only horror, psycho try. The mood HAS to be sustained. No, not close.
Only read this if you don't mind culling out every fifth name in an old school phone book.
Ange's review is spot on.
Way, way too long. If I wanted to read a book about whirlies or wind vortex, then I'd want to read non-fiction on those measured studies.
What happened to the edItor?
This become lost within a 10,000 mile detour. With such a good start and premise?
Do I understand why this seems his only horror, psycho try. The mood HAS to be sustained. No, not close.
Only read this if you don't mind culling out every fifth name in an old school phone book.
Ange's review is spot on.
May 10, 2015
Moral of the story.... when someone hands you a greenish water bottle with a grinning devil on it, hand it back, IMMEDIATELY!
I was captivated by the storyline of this book, and saw shades reminiscent of a Stephen King book in it. Michael Koryta was able to blend past, present and paranormal into a interesting and well told story.
I was captivated by the storyline of this book, and saw shades reminiscent of a Stephen King book in it. Michael Koryta was able to blend past, present and paranormal into a interesting and well told story.
May 29, 2022
This was my first book by this author and it sure was fun! The mystery of this book is great but honestly, has one of the stupidest villains ever. The ending was intense and very action packed. I would read or listen to more from this author.
did-not-finish
May 3, 2018Did not finish
Whatever happened to editing, isn't that a thing anymore? I have read several books lately where the idea was excellent, but the bloated length / lack of tight plotting ruin it. This one started off really strong, but then it just went on and on and on. At 560 pages, I got about a third of the way through before I just couldn't take it anymore.
Whatever happened to editing, isn't that a thing anymore? I have read several books lately where the idea was excellent, but the bloated length / lack of tight plotting ruin it. This one started off really strong, but then it just went on and on and on. At 560 pages, I got about a third of the way through before I just couldn't take it anymore.
September 11, 2011
So Cold the River by Michael Koryta
A down and out want-to-be Steven Spielburg find himself immersed in water, deceit and confusion. A trip to a famous resort for a simple project lands him in the most danger fraught period of his life.
Eric Shaw is a man with an enormous ego that has been shattered by failure. His self loathing promotes his driving of those who love him to despair. Koryta truly paints a man who conspires to destroy himself. The characterization is poignant and colorful. Small towns with secrets are a frequent topic of scary novels. This isn’t scary like a slasher film but more thought provoking scary.
The books is primarily an exploration of Eric’s personal redemption but ancillary characters such as his wife, Claire and Kellen Cage are also well done. I particularly enjoyed the quirky Anne McKinney looking to the sky for personal redemption.
Josiah Campbell was almost a stereotypical red neck haunted by a desire to be someone and no ambition to get there. This book was overflowing with memorable characters that added both their own nobility and despicable behavior.
I highly recommend the book.
A down and out want-to-be Steven Spielburg find himself immersed in water, deceit and confusion. A trip to a famous resort for a simple project lands him in the most danger fraught period of his life.
Eric Shaw is a man with an enormous ego that has been shattered by failure. His self loathing promotes his driving of those who love him to despair. Koryta truly paints a man who conspires to destroy himself. The characterization is poignant and colorful. Small towns with secrets are a frequent topic of scary novels. This isn’t scary like a slasher film but more thought provoking scary.
The books is primarily an exploration of Eric’s personal redemption but ancillary characters such as his wife, Claire and Kellen Cage are also well done. I particularly enjoyed the quirky Anne McKinney looking to the sky for personal redemption.
Josiah Campbell was almost a stereotypical red neck haunted by a desire to be someone and no ambition to get there. This book was overflowing with memorable characters that added both their own nobility and despicable behavior.
I highly recommend the book.
August 5, 2012
I invested about 200 pages into this book before I decided to call it quits. Starts off promising, but the further I read, I realized that I didn't care too much about what fate the characters were destined. It also seemed as though the pace was moving at a snail's pace. Thought it might be me, but it seemed that the reviews for this one veer more towards the negative than the positive. The author was unclear as to whether he intended this to be a horror novel or a thriller.
December 28, 2021
Having really enjoyed Those Who Wish Me Dead and The Prophet, So Cold the River was my first supernatural thriller from Kortya. Though I enjoyed it it was not as good as those two. His writing has a little bit of John Hart and the feel of M Night Shyamalan movie.
March 21, 2011
This is not normally the sort of book I would pick up to read. In fact, if I saw this cover in a store I would think, "I am in the WRONG section! Get me out of here." But I heard a review of the book on NPR and learned that it is a paranormal thriller that takes place in French Lick, Indiana. Most people associate French Lick with Larry Bird, but I have a very close relationship with the town. My family started visiting French Lick almost 20 years ago and have gone down almost every year. It is a strange little town in a beautiful valley with a strange pull. The hotels that have been renovated are worth the visit alone. So I wanted to see how the book portrayed the area. I thought that the story was a little silly but the information and description of French Lick, West Baden, and the hotels, were spot on. I couldn't wait to get back down there this spring. If you're into mysteries and thrillers, you'll like this. If you're into French Lick and West Baden, you'll enjoy reading it. If you're a fan of both of these things, you'd probably give it 5 stars.
April 13, 2011
A new author for me and I was intrigued by the review--any book that involves elements of the paranormal and mystery without having actual aliens, etc. I am intrigued. The premise involves a mysterious bottle of water which appears to have properties that allow a young film maker to "see" visions of past events. Things happen that are not explainable by any logical means.
I found it an interesting story that kept me wanting to know the ending. It is in the Stephen King type tradition but not on that scale. I might give this a 3.5 if the rating scale allowed and I will likely read his next novel for a relaxing spell between more taxing fare.
This was a library book.
I found it an interesting story that kept me wanting to know the ending. It is in the Stephen King type tradition but not on that scale. I might give this a 3.5 if the rating scale allowed and I will likely read his next novel for a relaxing spell between more taxing fare.
This was a library book.
June 25, 2013
I cannot believe anyone would rate this book any less than 5 stars. I loved it so much I actually flew to Kentucky, drove to West Baden Springs and stayed there for a week... the hotel was EVERYTHING that Michael described in the book. Yes, the book is a little mystical in some parts which I normally am not into, but hey... I grew up on Goosebumps books and Tales from the Crypt. The only other thing I will say besides READ IT, is that my husband, who can barely get through a magazine article without getting distracted, couldn't put this book down and spent almost 24 hours of our vacation just reading this book.
May 15, 2011
So BAD the book.
December 20, 2019
A co powiecie na horror o magicznej wodzie mineralnej, po której spożyciu ukazują się duchy? Pewnie sobie pomyśleliście - borze szumiący, co za absurd i androny! To na pewno nie mogło się udać! I macie absolutną rację!
Po przeczytaniu opisu fabuły i wychwalających tę powieść pod niebiosa blurbów jednego z najlepszych (imo) i moich ulubionych pisarzy kryminałów Michaela Connelly’ego wiedziałam, że MUSZĘ “Tajemnicę Rzeki Lost River” przeczytać. Miało być przerażająco, błyskotliwie, intrygująco, mistrzowsko (huehuehue), akcja miała być wartka, a postaci ciekawe. Tere-fere, nic z tego! Intrygujący i obiecujący był sam początek, a potem to już równia pochyła w dół. Dokończyłam tę książkę tylko dlatego, że byłam ciekawa jak to się wszystko skończy - jak autor pozamyka i powyjaśnia mocno pogmatwane, zagadkowe (i absurdalne) wątki. Autor - przez Lee Childa porównywany do Kinga i Strauba (huehuehue - albo razcej wtf?!) - chyba sam ogarnął, że z takich dyrdymał jakie powypisywał nie da się logicznie wybrnąć i zostawił czytelnika - w większości - bez odpowiedzi. Nieliczne wyjaśnienia, po które Koryta się pokusił są wyjątkowo niesatysfakcjonujące, nieporadne i banalne. Lepiej już było zostawić wszystkie wątki otwarte. Lektury nie uprzyjemniali również bohaterowie - nie ciekawi, a wręcz przeciwnie! Z tak nijakimi, jednowymiarowymi, nudnymi postaciami dawno się już nie spotkałam. Trochę lepiej wypada czarny charakter - bo jako jedyny posiada jakąś bardziej wyrazistą cechę osobowości - a mianowicie jest okrutny. Szok i niedowierzanie - zuy antagonista. Niebywałe! Główny bohater to ciapa jakich mało. Nieogar level hard. Iloraz inteligencji na poziomie wróbla. Już po pierwszych stronach zaczął mnie męczyć jego brak mózgu i nawet nie zliczę ile razy życzyłam mu, żeby zatruł się pitą przez niego w hektolitrach 80-letnią wodą (serio, kto normalny ot tak otwiera butelkę z prawie stuletnią wodą i radośnie bierze parę łyków?! hasztag pochwała głupoty). Takich kompletnie pozbawionych logiki działań i decyzji podejmowanych przez bohaterów jest w tej książce na pęczki. Jakbym chciała wszystkie wymienić to wyszłaby mi litania na parę stron A4.
Nie popełniajcie tego błędu co ja i nie męczcie się z tą (za) długą 500-stronicową zbieraniną arcynudnych głupot. W sumie to teraz tak sobie uzmysłowiłam, że nawet mnie śmieszy jak główny bohater przez ¾ książki lamentuje, jak to on nie może normalnie funkcjonować - i żyć w ogóle - bez 80-letniej wody. Śmieszki heheszki, ale i tak nie polecam.
Po przeczytaniu opisu fabuły i wychwalających tę powieść pod niebiosa blurbów jednego z najlepszych (imo) i moich ulubionych pisarzy kryminałów Michaela Connelly’ego wiedziałam, że MUSZĘ “Tajemnicę Rzeki Lost River” przeczytać. Miało być przerażająco, błyskotliwie, intrygująco, mistrzowsko (huehuehue), akcja miała być wartka, a postaci ciekawe. Tere-fere, nic z tego! Intrygujący i obiecujący był sam początek, a potem to już równia pochyła w dół. Dokończyłam tę książkę tylko dlatego, że byłam ciekawa jak to się wszystko skończy - jak autor pozamyka i powyjaśnia mocno pogmatwane, zagadkowe (i absurdalne) wątki. Autor - przez Lee Childa porównywany do Kinga i Strauba (huehuehue - albo razcej wtf?!) - chyba sam ogarnął, że z takich dyrdymał jakie powypisywał nie da się logicznie wybrnąć i zostawił czytelnika - w większości - bez odpowiedzi. Nieliczne wyjaśnienia, po które Koryta się pokusił są wyjątkowo niesatysfakcjonujące, nieporadne i banalne. Lepiej już było zostawić wszystkie wątki otwarte. Lektury nie uprzyjemniali również bohaterowie - nie ciekawi, a wręcz przeciwnie! Z tak nijakimi, jednowymiarowymi, nudnymi postaciami dawno się już nie spotkałam. Trochę lepiej wypada czarny charakter - bo jako jedyny posiada jakąś bardziej wyrazistą cechę osobowości - a mianowicie jest okrutny. Szok i niedowierzanie - zuy antagonista. Niebywałe! Główny bohater to ciapa jakich mało. Nieogar level hard. Iloraz inteligencji na poziomie wróbla. Już po pierwszych stronach zaczął mnie męczyć jego brak mózgu i nawet nie zliczę ile razy życzyłam mu, żeby zatruł się pitą przez niego w hektolitrach 80-letnią wodą (serio, kto normalny ot tak otwiera butelkę z prawie stuletnią wodą i radośnie bierze parę łyków?! hasztag pochwała głupoty). Takich kompletnie pozbawionych logiki działań i decyzji podejmowanych przez bohaterów jest w tej książce na pęczki. Jakbym chciała wszystkie wymienić to wyszłaby mi litania na parę stron A4.
Nie popełniajcie tego błędu co ja i nie męczcie się z tą (za) długą 500-stronicową zbieraniną arcynudnych głupot. W sumie to teraz tak sobie uzmysłowiłam, że nawet mnie śmieszy jak główny bohater przez ¾ książki lamentuje, jak to on nie może normalnie funkcjonować - i żyć w ogóle - bez 80-letniej wody. Śmieszki heheszki, ale i tak nie polecam.
August 4, 2012
Check out my interview with Michael Koryta in August 2012 >>http://more2read.com/review/interview-with-michael-koryta/
The main protagonist a film maker needs to define and separate visions and dreams with reality. For a living, while not working on a movie, he made tribute videos, wedding videos etc for private clients and some malevolent insidious presence seems to call him to a little job of putting together a tribute video for a dying man. It may be a project that could hold some meaning and he would like doing, but as the skeletons in the cupboard come out it’s a job he will possibly regret. He needs to visit a town to do research and piece together the past, he is being paid a nice sum for the job. There are others also doing their research, a graduate documenting the history of black people in the area, and a storm hunter seeking out extreme climates. These people, he crosses paths with, will be important to his research. There’s talk of a wonder juice or really a wonder water, Pluto water. Taste at your peril! Once tasted he finds himself asking many questions on it’s origin and it’s real influence. The dark past of this land will once more be relived with a harrowing and nightmarish potency.Will there be more blood in this historical and creepy locale.
Koryta has crafted another great story with supernatural elements. He has yet again cleverly knitted into the framework of a modern setting a haunting dark page from history with great atmospheric presence. Entertaining and hypnotic reading.
Review with book trailer and author video also @ http://more2read.com/review/so-cold-the-river-by-michael-koryta/
The main protagonist a film maker needs to define and separate visions and dreams with reality. For a living, while not working on a movie, he made tribute videos, wedding videos etc for private clients and some malevolent insidious presence seems to call him to a little job of putting together a tribute video for a dying man. It may be a project that could hold some meaning and he would like doing, but as the skeletons in the cupboard come out it’s a job he will possibly regret. He needs to visit a town to do research and piece together the past, he is being paid a nice sum for the job. There are others also doing their research, a graduate documenting the history of black people in the area, and a storm hunter seeking out extreme climates. These people, he crosses paths with, will be important to his research. There’s talk of a wonder juice or really a wonder water, Pluto water. Taste at your peril! Once tasted he finds himself asking many questions on it’s origin and it’s real influence. The dark past of this land will once more be relived with a harrowing and nightmarish potency.Will there be more blood in this historical and creepy locale.
Koryta has crafted another great story with supernatural elements. He has yet again cleverly knitted into the framework of a modern setting a haunting dark page from history with great atmospheric presence. Entertaining and hypnotic reading.
“The town where he was born, and where I want to send you, is in southern Indiana, a truly odd place, and beautiful. Have you ever heard of French Lick?”
“Larry Bird, “he said, and she laughed and nodded.
“That’s the general response, but at on point it was one of the great resorts in the world. There are two towns there, actually, West Baden and French Lick, side by side, and they each have a hotel that will take your breath away. Particularly the one in West Baden. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and yet it’s built out in the middle of nowhere, this tiny town in farm country.”
“Crazy, a voice whispered in Eric’s mind, you’re going insane. Truly, literally out of your mind. Seeing things that aren’t there is one thing, but you had a conversation that wasn’t there, buddy. That’s the sort of thing that only happens to-“
“It’s strange,’ she said eventually. “Don’t you think it’s strange? The way it stays cold, the way it…I don’t know, feels. There’s something off about it. And it is the only thing-and I mean the only thing-that he had from childhood. My husband told me that he kept it in a locked drawer in his bedside table, and said the bottle was a souvenir from his childhood and that no one was allowed to touch it. As you can see, it meant a lot to him for some reason. That’s why I’m so curious.”
“They passed cattle farms and a group of Amish men working beside a barn. The countryside here was rolling as if tossed by an unseen ocean, no flat fields as there were in Illinois and the northern half of Indiana. The terrain here was closer to what you’d find on the south side of the Ohio River, where Kentucky’s rolling bluegrass fields edged into foothills and then became mountains.”
Review with book trailer and author video also @ http://more2read.com/review/so-cold-the-river-by-michael-koryta/
July 30, 2016
In Koryta's So Cold a River, Eric Shaw, a frustrated creative type with a failed career, accepts a job that takes him to a remote hotel with a storied and sometimes sketchy history where he struggles with the supernatural and addiction issues, not necessarily in that order. Pause for a moment at this point to try to figure out why that set-up seems so familiar.
Unfortunately, Koryta doesn't manage to deliver The Shining: Indiana as the premise promises. True, there's a ghost, and a creeping possession, and a black male character who provides some exposition and then more or less saves the day, but the only 'shine here is the kind cooked up in a backwoods still, and it's made - I shit you not - with magical mystery water.
None of this is necessarily a deal breaker: I've liked many a stupider plot. Unfortunately, our hero Eric is such a self-absorbed narcissist - yes, that's redundant, but it's so pronounced it's worth saying twice - he drags the book down with him. It's probably best not to get into my feelings about the depiction of his wife, who is presented as either shiny object to be lost/regained or as damsel, as the plot requires, but rest assured they are deep and unpleasant. Worse, Cold is barely tepid, and fails to achieve even faint creepiness let alone actual horror.
On the upside, Koryta's novel did introduce me to the existence of the West Baden Springs Hotel, built of ambition and sheer distilled gorgeousness in 1902, and the atrium of which held for eleven years the record for the largest free-standing dome on the planet. The advertisements of the time referred to it as the Eighth Wonder of the World, and based on the pictures they ain't wrong. It's the kind of place that deserves not only a spot on your bucket list but a damned fine ghost story about it, and while So Cold the River may inspire the former, it most certainly does not provide the latter.
Unfortunately, Koryta doesn't manage to deliver The Shining: Indiana as the premise promises. True, there's a ghost, and a creeping possession, and a black male character who provides some exposition and then more or less saves the day, but the only 'shine here is the kind cooked up in a backwoods still, and it's made - I shit you not - with magical mystery water.
None of this is necessarily a deal breaker: I've liked many a stupider plot. Unfortunately, our hero Eric is such a self-absorbed narcissist - yes, that's redundant, but it's so pronounced it's worth saying twice - he drags the book down with him. It's probably best not to get into my feelings about the depiction of his wife, who is presented as either shiny object to be lost/regained or as damsel, as the plot requires, but rest assured they are deep and unpleasant. Worse, Cold is barely tepid, and fails to achieve even faint creepiness let alone actual horror.
On the upside, Koryta's novel did introduce me to the existence of the West Baden Springs Hotel, built of ambition and sheer distilled gorgeousness in 1902, and the atrium of which held for eleven years the record for the largest free-standing dome on the planet. The advertisements of the time referred to it as the Eighth Wonder of the World, and based on the pictures they ain't wrong. It's the kind of place that deserves not only a spot on your bucket list but a damned fine ghost story about it, and while So Cold the River may inspire the former, it most certainly does not provide the latter.
September 28, 2012
This book left me feeling like I needed more answers. Why did Lucas mix Campbell's blood with the spring water, bottle it and keep it all his life. What was the significance of this? Did Lucas let Campbell drown to offer him as a sacrifice to the Lost River or was it because he was fearful of him? What gave that particular Spring that sweet honey taste that Campbell swore would make millions? How did Lucas leave Indiana to go to Chicago and strike it rich with only $14 to his name? Why didn't Lucas keep bottling the same honey sweet water that Campbell said would make millions? Was this secret spring water evil and did it cause Campbell's evilness? Why did Campbell even come back as a ghost or spirit just to quickly and quietly dissipate within the pages of the book in a hurried ending with no explanation? Why did Campbell who swore to protect his kin from his wrath drive Josiah to his death? What was the significance of Shaw's role...was he really a Psychic? The psychic ability that Shaw thought he had was touched upon but then the author never expounded on after the middle of the book. None of what happened, made this book a complete story...it left so much undone. I could probably go on and on...but I will kindly stop here. The book dragged with the same issues to only peak towards the ending and then fell into many unanswered pieces. I did, however, think that the only character in the book that gave you a sense of complete satisfaction, was Annie McKinney. I loved her style, grace, story telling and strength.
I too, do not know how this book earned a four star rating. I give it a 3...it held my attention at least but in the end it frustrated me.
I too, do not know how this book earned a four star rating. I give it a 3...it held my attention at least but in the end it frustrated me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2011
When I heard about So Cold the River on a podcast, I thought it sounded interesting enough to put on my wishlist. It has an old hotel with an interesting history. It has a mysterious bottle of mineral water. It has a ghost. It has every element needed for a terrifically creepy story.
Unfortunately, it fell kind of flat. It was good, but it missed very good by a long shot. Koryta's style is too reminiscent of Stephen King. It seems deliberately imitative. To me, that detracted greatly from my reading. He also includes elements that really aren't needed and that take away from the action. It made no sense to me that the protagonist's ex-wife would drive to some podunk town to rescue him. It made even less sense for them to start having sex. That totally detoured the plot for a while. The suspense set-up was uneven at best and the ultimate reveal was just silly.
Despite the flaws, I liked the story and the setting. I just wish it had been better executed.
Unfortunately, it fell kind of flat. It was good, but it missed very good by a long shot. Koryta's style is too reminiscent of Stephen King. It seems deliberately imitative. To me, that detracted greatly from my reading. He also includes elements that really aren't needed and that take away from the action. It made no sense to me that the protagonist's ex-wife would drive to some podunk town to rescue him. It made even less sense for them to start having sex. That totally detoured the plot for a while. The suspense set-up was uneven at best and the ultimate reveal was just silly.
Despite the flaws, I liked the story and the setting. I just wish it had been better executed.
August 1, 2010
I didn’t enjoy this book very much. It’s a paranormal thriller which is a genre I usually enjoy. The story was mildly interesting and the back story was by far more intriguing. Koryta does a great job of doling out just enough of the secondary plot to keep you turning pages. He writes well and clearly and the characters are well defined but for me the book never took flight. There are so many wonderful books around that it upsets me to read 500 pages of a book that’s just so so. I think I’d feel less resentful if it had been about 200 pages.
April 4, 2012
Super-fantastic, excellent! Did not want to sleep-must find all this author's other books. One reviewer compared it to King's "The Shining," but for me it has overtones of that and Robert Jackson Bennett's "Mr. Shivers" and much, much more! 50 stars would be nice!
This is the kind of incredible storytelling at which I marvelled with Stephen King's "Literary Three" (Bag of Bones; Lisey's Story; Duma Key) and with Bennett's "Mr. Shivers." I don't find it often, but a story this compelling, this memorable, cannot be forgotten.
This is the kind of incredible storytelling at which I marvelled with Stephen King's "Literary Three" (Bag of Bones; Lisey's Story; Duma Key) and with Bennett's "Mr. Shivers." I don't find it often, but a story this compelling, this memorable, cannot be forgotten.
April 19, 2020
Slow start, addicting finish
Took a while for this book to catch my interest but the action picked up and I was compelled to finish it. Likable and interesting characters. I liked the back and forth telling of modern day supernatural happenings tied in with the historical events of the town.
Took a while for this book to catch my interest but the action picked up and I was compelled to finish it. Likable and interesting characters. I liked the back and forth telling of modern day supernatural happenings tied in with the historical events of the town.
March 23, 2023
DNF at 45% - just couldn’t care about any of it. Protagonist not really that interesting.
April 6, 2012
Eric Shaw was once a promising cinematographer poised to be the next big thing in Hollywood, until his temper destroyed his career, which significantly damaged his marriage. Now, he mostly makes retrospective films about people, usually used for funerals and other special events. So when Alyssa Bradford hires him to do a biography of her 95-year-old billionaire father-in-law, Campbell Bradford, whose childhood is a mystery to their family, Eric jumps at the chance. Armed only with a vintage bottle of mineral water from Bradford's hometown of French Lick, Indiana, he gets the opportunity to visit an historic hotel that once transformed the area and has now been restored to its former grandeur.
Yet the minute Eric takes a sip of the once-famous Pluto Water, and arrives in French Lick, things start to get a little strange. He starts seeing visions which get more and more vivid, he encounters a very distant relative of Campbell Bradford who has an axe to grind, he discovers more than just a few secrets and legends about Bradford, and it appears he has unleashed a menace set on destroying the town and everyone in it. But motivated by the need to get at the truth, and the power of finding the ultimate story to film, Eric is determined to stay in French Lick—no matter what the costs.
I read this entire 500+-page book on a flight from Paris to the U.S., and it kept me riveted the entire time. Clearly this book isn't based in reality, but it's a terrific paranormal thriller with enough character and plot development to hook you. And it's a little creepy, too, once the characters make some realizations about what's in the water. I picked this book up a while ago because I remember Stephen King saying it was one of his favorite books; it's definitely a book worthy of a read. (Note: This review is kind of vague because I don't want to spoil anything for you.)
Yet the minute Eric takes a sip of the once-famous Pluto Water, and arrives in French Lick, things start to get a little strange. He starts seeing visions which get more and more vivid, he encounters a very distant relative of Campbell Bradford who has an axe to grind, he discovers more than just a few secrets and legends about Bradford, and it appears he has unleashed a menace set on destroying the town and everyone in it. But motivated by the need to get at the truth, and the power of finding the ultimate story to film, Eric is determined to stay in French Lick—no matter what the costs.
I read this entire 500+-page book on a flight from Paris to the U.S., and it kept me riveted the entire time. Clearly this book isn't based in reality, but it's a terrific paranormal thriller with enough character and plot development to hook you. And it's a little creepy, too, once the characters make some realizations about what's in the water. I picked this book up a while ago because I remember Stephen King saying it was one of his favorite books; it's definitely a book worthy of a read. (Note: This review is kind of vague because I don't want to spoil anything for you.)
December 9, 2014
I am not typically a fan of books about the "super natural" or ghost story genre. However, I really enjoyed reading "So Cold the River" by Michael Koryta. Kortya is from Bloomington, Indiana and many of his books are set in Southern Indiana. For anyone who enjoys going to French Lick, this is a must read! It is an exciting page turner and very well written.
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