2022 CWA Gold Dagger (shortlist)
From the master of US crime fiction comes a thriller about revenge, justice, family - with one of the most original villains of the year. Perfect for fans of The Dry by Jane Harper.
'One of today's finest thriller writers' - DAILY MAIL
__________________
NOT EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE . . .
After a tour of Vietnam and a three-year stint in prison, Jason is back in town and wants to rebuild his relationship with Gibby, the younger brother he hasn't seen for years. Determined to make that connection, he coaxes Gibby into a day at the lake: long hours of sunshine and whisky and older women.
But when the four of them encounter a prison transfer bus on a stretch of empty road, one of the women taunts the prisoners, causing a riot on the bus.
Soon after, Tyra is savagely murdered.
Given his violent history, suspicion turns first to Jason. Determined to prove his older brother's innocence, Gibby must avoid the police and dive deep into his brother's hidden life, a journey that takes him into the darkest corners of the community.
What he discovers is a truth more disturbing than he could have imagined: not just the identity of the killer and the reasons for Tyra's murder, but the forces that shaped his brother in Vietnam, the reason he was framed - and why the most dangerous man alive wants him back in prison.
Set in the American South, The Unwilling combines crime, suspense and searing glimpses into the human mind and soul in New York Times bestselling author John Hart's singular style.
__________________
PRAISE FOR JOHN HART:
'A master storyteller' - HARLAN COBEN
'A clever mystery' - SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
'Read this novel' - DAVID BALDACCI, author of ONE GOOD DEED
'If you crave thrillers that are vividly beautiful, graphic, will make you bleed, try John Hart' - PATRICIA CORNWELL, author of THE SCARPETTA SERIES
'Whenever I thought that I had unravelled the plot, another twist left me flummoxed' - GUARDIAN
'John Hart has clearly joined the top rank of thriller writers' - VINCE FLYNN, author of TOTAL POWER
'A Chandleresque thriller' - SUNDAY TIMES
'Raw, tender, brutal, and exquisite' - C.J. BOX, author of DARK SKY
'Crime fiction at its absolute best' - MARK GREANEY, author of RELENTLESS
'Explores betrayal and forgiveness in indelible prose' - OBSERVER
'Richly complex . . . this is John Hart at his lyrical, atmospheric best' - TAMI HOAG, author of THE BOY
'A heart-pounding thriller' - METRO
Genre: Thriller
'One of today's finest thriller writers' - DAILY MAIL
__________________
NOT EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE . . .
After a tour of Vietnam and a three-year stint in prison, Jason is back in town and wants to rebuild his relationship with Gibby, the younger brother he hasn't seen for years. Determined to make that connection, he coaxes Gibby into a day at the lake: long hours of sunshine and whisky and older women.
But when the four of them encounter a prison transfer bus on a stretch of empty road, one of the women taunts the prisoners, causing a riot on the bus.
Soon after, Tyra is savagely murdered.
Given his violent history, suspicion turns first to Jason. Determined to prove his older brother's innocence, Gibby must avoid the police and dive deep into his brother's hidden life, a journey that takes him into the darkest corners of the community.
What he discovers is a truth more disturbing than he could have imagined: not just the identity of the killer and the reasons for Tyra's murder, but the forces that shaped his brother in Vietnam, the reason he was framed - and why the most dangerous man alive wants him back in prison.
Set in the American South, The Unwilling combines crime, suspense and searing glimpses into the human mind and soul in New York Times bestselling author John Hart's singular style.
__________________
PRAISE FOR JOHN HART:
'A master storyteller' - HARLAN COBEN
'A clever mystery' - SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
'Read this novel' - DAVID BALDACCI, author of ONE GOOD DEED
'If you crave thrillers that are vividly beautiful, graphic, will make you bleed, try John Hart' - PATRICIA CORNWELL, author of THE SCARPETTA SERIES
'Whenever I thought that I had unravelled the plot, another twist left me flummoxed' - GUARDIAN
'John Hart has clearly joined the top rank of thriller writers' - VINCE FLYNN, author of TOTAL POWER
'A Chandleresque thriller' - SUNDAY TIMES
'Raw, tender, brutal, and exquisite' - C.J. BOX, author of DARK SKY
'Crime fiction at its absolute best' - MARK GREANEY, author of RELENTLESS
'Explores betrayal and forgiveness in indelible prose' - OBSERVER
'Richly complex . . . this is John Hart at his lyrical, atmospheric best' - TAMI HOAG, author of THE BOY
'A heart-pounding thriller' - METRO
Genre: Thriller
Praise for this book
"John Hart creates novels that are somehow raw, tender, brutal, and exquisite - all at the same time. Exceptional." - C J Box
"The Unwilling is crime fiction at its absolute best. An impeccable story teller, John Hart weaves an intricate tale of family, war, prison, and murder into a thoroughly thought provoking and enjoyable read that I absolutely could not put down." - Mark Greaney
"Richly complex, as intricately woven as a fine tapestry, soul-piercingly emotional, this is John Hart at his lyrical, atmospheric best. He builds a world and draws you in, and there you remain, a willing captive." - Tami Hoag
"John Hart writes about violence with frightening passion and vivid description. At the same time he masterfully lets you see inside a powerful family dynamic. His villain will be in anyone’s top 2." - John Sandford
"The Unwilling is crime fiction at its absolute best. An impeccable story teller, John Hart weaves an intricate tale of family, war, prison, and murder into a thoroughly thought provoking and enjoyable read that I absolutely could not put down." - Mark Greaney
"Richly complex, as intricately woven as a fine tapestry, soul-piercingly emotional, this is John Hart at his lyrical, atmospheric best. He builds a world and draws you in, and there you remain, a willing captive." - Tami Hoag
"John Hart writes about violence with frightening passion and vivid description. At the same time he masterfully lets you see inside a powerful family dynamic. His villain will be in anyone’s top 2." - John Sandford
Visitors also looked at these books
Used availability for John Hart's The Unwilling