Hazard

by Gardiner Harris

Starred Review. At the start of journalist Harris's top-notch fiction debut, coal miner Amos Blevins scrambles to rescue co-workers from a sudden, unexpected flood deep in the Blue Gem mine in Hazard, Ky. Despite Blevins's efforts, nine men perish before help can arrive from above. Will Murphy, a federal Mine Safety and Health Administration inspector, looks into what everyone assumes is a tragic, if not unusual, accident. No one expects any complications, particularly since the man who runs the mine is Will's older brother, Paul. But with bad blood between the brothers, Will decides for a variety of reasons to do a real investigation, which turns up anomalies pointing to malfeasance that goes far beyond simple negligence. The reader comes to care about a wide cast of characters, mostly hardscrabble Appalachian men and women, as Harris carefully unspools the many plot threads. Pitch-perfect dialogue and an authentic view of the nuts and bolts of mining help make this an engrossing mystery thriller. (Mar.)
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Genres: Mystery, Fiction

357 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Gardiner Harris covers international diplomacy for The New York Times. He previously served as a White House, South Asia, public health, and pharmaceutical reporter for the publication. Before working at the Times he worked at The Wall Street Journal and lived for four years in Hazard, Kentucky as the Eastern Kentucky bureau chief for the Louisville Courier Journal.

Reviews

[Rebecca Heywood · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. I didn’t understand a lot of the mining terms, so maybe an explanation in the back would have helped. But my main problem was the main character. I didn’t feel for him, I didn’t connect. He wasn’t someone I was rooting for. I was rooting for Amos. I enjoyed the main plot and I figured out “whodunit” pretty early on.

[Aden Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interestingly written book. For me, the mystery elements of the story were not what made it so enjoyable to read. While the main plot line was entertaining and enjoyable, this books real strong suit is the vivid and compelling picture it paints of the rural appellation mountain mining town culture, the deeply sorrowful familial relationships, and stories of drug addiction that shape its cast of main characters. Harris’s unique and concise writing style perfectly complement the stark world he paints in Hazard.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hazard, Kentucky is a small town. The biggest revenue for this town is the mine. Amos Blevin and several other men were working down in the mines when a cave in happened. Amos rescued his fellow co-workers. Inspector Will Murphy has been sent to investigate the cave in. It seems to be an accident but then why does it seem that the local authorities are hiding something including Will’s brother? Will investigation will lead him to a place where the truth just may hurt him. There is no turning back.

Hazard is the first book I have read by this author. I thought this book did turn out pretty well. I say this only because as much as I really wanted to love this book, I had some difficulties trying to figure out what was happening at times throughout this book. The miners would be inside the mine and then outside going about their business. Just when I thought I had things straighten out, the story would switched from past to present and I would get lost again. If the transaction between the shifting of past to present had been smoother for me then I know I would have be able to just sit back and really enjoy this book. Overall, I did like this book and the characters. I look forward to Mr. Harris’s next piece of work.

[Darren Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I really enjoyed this book, I have had sci-fi and computer-geek books that didn't go over my head as much as some parts of this book did. I wouldn't say that a working knowledge of coal mining and its language are a must, but it would definitely work to your advantage. Aside from that, the tension between characters was great and I couldn't wait to see how they were resolved, the sub-plots woven throughout the book were entertaining and did not distract from the overall plot and there was a good pace to the book. There were a few elements that I thought were ultimately not resolved to my liking, but didn't play a big enough part in the plot to spoil the book as a whole for me, even though they were played up in the beginning of the book.

This was a great change of pace book from what I normally read.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay story. Basically a mystery about a mine that has had some problems in the past, and Will (brother of the mine owner) as a member of MSHA decides to really investigate. Though you know the deaths aren't really caused by Paul (like you are supposed to think), having Uncle Elliott in the end wasn't too much of a surprise. Not totally memorable book, but I did like the character of Amos...even though he was a drug dealer :(

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about coal mining in Kentucky. Jeez, I learned more than I cared to know about the hazards, politics and history of coal mining. I have a greater appreciation for the men who have spent their lives and often ruined their health, digging it out of the earth. I understand now, why my grandfather left the silver mines and moved his family from the Tintic mining area of Utah so his sons would never have to go into a mine for a living.

[Deena Scintilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good blending of what seemed like more than 1 storyline throughout the book of mining disasters, family guilt, Appalachian traditions, etc. It was of particular interest to me since years ago I had traveled to Hazard KY as a "union rep" for my hospital so I could picture the "hollers" and hear the accents in my head.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book because it was nominated "Readers Choice" at my local library. I was not impressed from the beginning but kept plowing ahead to find the jem so many other local readers had found. Sadly, I did not find it. I found the book tedious, the characters unrealistic, and the plot slow with the end predictable too soon in the story.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a little biased on this, but this is a fantastic, gritty, realistic contemporary noir with loads of detail about coal mining and life in Appalachia and a gripping family drama at its core. My mind is often pulled back to particular scenes--very memorable.

[E.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written first novel set against the back drop of a Kentucky coal mine. The author knows his subject well, and although the mystery elements are a bit predictable (even if the protagonist doesn't get it), the characters are well-drawn, making this an enjoyable, taut read.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book delivers a well-plotted, fast-paced mystery and something a little bit deeper to think about after turning the final page.
See my full review at:
http://susancoventry.blogspot.com/201...

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although it has some interesting characters and a pretty well-crafted community (both of which are very important), the mystery was no mystery. Additionally, some of the characters seemed too stereotypical or played-out (the drunk hero, for instance).

[Kateh44 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat uneven pacing, but it kept me engaged. Authentic-feeling portrait of a town and family in Kentucky's Appalachia region. Also a disturbing portrait of the coal-mining industry.

[TeriC]

A very interesting book about coal mining, mystery, greed and families.

[Stephanie C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Graphic, gritty hillbilly mystery

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not like the story or the writing. Couldn't finish the book, although I did read the last chapter to see how it ended.