On Harrow Hill

A Dave Guerney Novel

By: John Verdon

Narrated by: Scott Brick

When an old colleague comes to him for help solving the mysterious death of his town's most prominent resident, retired NYPD detective Dave Gurney must use all of his analytical skills to hunt a murderer who just might be killing from beyond the grave.

The idyllic community of Larchfield is rocked to its core when Angus Russell, its wealthiest and most powerful citizen, is found dead in his mansion on Harrow Hill. A preliminary analysis of DNA gathered at the crime scene points to the guilt of local bad boy Billy Tate, whose hatred for the victim was well known. Except that Tate fell from the roof of a local church and was declared dead by the medical examiner the day before Russell was killed. When police rush to the mortuary, they discover Tate's coffin has been broken open from the inside and the body is gone.

A series of murders soon follows as Larchfield loses its collective mind. Gun sales explode. Conspiracy theories and religious fundamentalism spread. The once-peaceful town becomes a magnet for sensation seekers, self-proclaimed zombie hunters, TV producers eager for ratings, and apocalyptic preachers rallying the faithful for the end of days. His quiet retirement shattered, ex-NYPD detective Dave Gurney finds himself not only facing down a murderer, but struggling to restore order to the town rapidly spiraling out of control.

Complex story with quick ending

The plot thickens and thickens and thickens, but once they figure out whodunnit they don’t exactly flesh out all the details of how and why the perp wreaked all the havoc they did. Still, good story and narration. Just a lot to track!

Dave Gurney does it again

Enjoyed the twists and turns in this one. But that last climatic scene with Madalyn though!! Love the humor in this and wanted more Jack Hardwick too! #alpacas #thewinklers

captivating

It kept me locked in the entire novel. enjoyed the narrator, reminded of Reacher series.

Provocative

Just discovered this author and was amazed at his writing. Fresh ideas, characters you can care about and great plot twists. Add in Scott Brick reading and you have a five star book.

No one to root for

The main character only is investigating because of a loyalty to someone he doesn't really like or respect. He seems unengaged and the person he is helping has such a negative outlook on life and an un-redeeming personality, that there is no empathy evoked. No victim or relative is even put forth as worthy of our compassion. The investigator's relationship with his wife is off-putting. No joy at all. Just a bunch of people trudging through life.

I recall really liking Verdon's "think of a number" but this one is brutal to listen to. I am determined to listen to this to the end but had an opportunity to share my thoughts so far (about 40% through).

The narrator has a depressing book to read so I don't put all the blame on him but his style makes this book even worse. He may not be the only narrator that does this but he puts an annoying lilt into the ending of questions that seems so fake. Never heard anyone in real life speak that way. I can't describe it but words like "valley girl" or "effeminate" come to mind but neither really captures how it is being said. Someone with better linguistic skills could describe it better and honestly it may not bother other people.