Dark River Road [Kindle Edition]

Virginia Brown (Author)

Book Description

One powerful man . . .has always controlled this small Southern town. Unchallenged, until now.Like everyone else in Cane Creek, Mississippi, Chantry Callahan grew up in the shadow of town boss Bert Quinton. Quinton held the lives of local people in his harsh grasp, never letting go. He knew where all their secrets were buried, along with the bodies of anyone who had dared to defy him. As a boy, Chantry couldn't best Quinton. Couldn't protect the people he loved, including his own mother. But now Chantry is grown. He's come back for answers. And for justice."A marvelous coming-of-age saga in the new Old South. I couldn't stop reading."-Bertrice Small, author of The Border Chronicles"A page-turner filled with small-town passions, dark secrets and danger. I loved it."-Janelle Taylor, bestselling author of the Lakota Skies SeriesVirginia Brown writes the bestselling Dixie Divas Mystery Series and the Blue Suede Memphis Mysteries.

Product Details

• File Size: 1070 KB
• Print Length: 512 pages
• Publisher: Bell Bridge Books (November 15, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006H9WBWI
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,322 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 57 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing read! January 9, 2012

By Angela Wonder

Format:Kindle Edition

Wow, this book had me wanting to know what was going to happen next. Its an amazing story about a young teenager and how his life was changed. Chantry is the main character. When I started reading the book I was really unsure how it was going to go. It seemed like it was going to be a mystery or suspense. I was unprepared for how emotionally this book was going to affect me nor was I prepared to feel like I was so involved in the story.

It is a long read. But it takes the reader through two different time periods. Chantry's past, where he's a young adult, hitting puberty and the changes that happened to him during that time. Be prepared with some tissues because there are some things that happen in his teen years that really are sad. Some that will make you mad and some that will make you laugh. I really felt that Chantry's story was real.

The second part takes the reader to 14 years after the first part. The bitterness, the hurts, everything that happened in the past is involved in this part. Its amazing how the story is wrapped up. I feel the second half went a bit faster than the first half and thats probably because the characters had already been established in the beginning. I highly recommend this read to anyone looking for something that has a little bit of everything.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read But Don't Forget the Kleenex March 30, 2012

By Maxine McLister

Format:Kindle Edition

Dark River Road is a beautifully written coming-of-age tale set in the fictional town of of Cane Creek, Mississippi, a town run by one man who seems to control almost every aspect of its citizens' lives. Fourteen-year-old Chantry Callahan lives with his school teacher mom, his ne'er-do-well stepdad, Rainey, and his disabled half-brother, Mikey. Chantry and Rainey despise each other and Chantry spends most of his time away from home, helping out his black neighbour, Dempsey, who is more like a real father to him. He also helps out the local veterinarian to try to make enough money to help pay for an operation that will help Mikey walk.

One day, Rainey, who is always looking for a way to make money without working for it, brings home a pregnant dog, hoping to sell the pups. This one small act will have huge consequences for Chantry and all those around him.

I really enjoyed Dark River Road. It gives a fascinating portrait of growing up poor in the southern United States. Although there are some very sad and, at times, violent events in the story, there is also always a sense of hope and optimism even in the worst of times. One caution though - keep a box of kleenex handy because, guaranteed, you will need them - and trust me, this comes from someone who hardly ever cries over fictional characters.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Realistic August 8, 2012

By Karen Paisly

Format:Kindle Edition

This book was good. The story portrays a very realistic feeling. If you want all your emotional feelings to be triggered, then this is something you'll enjoy.

Chantry goes through a lot of hardship as a teenager but finds some comfort with his neighbor's family more than with his own. However, the hardship is not over as he has to deal with more issues years down the road.

This story takes place in two parts. The first part in Chantry's teenage years and the second part fourteen years later. This book has a rollercoaster of emotions so be prepared to have some tissue on hand.

After you read this book and now you decide to change up your reading a bit, another fascinating book I just read is The Expert's Target by Larry Schultergorm. It's a mystery thriller that will have you glued to your seat from beginning to end. There is a lot of buzz about this book because it's really good. Check it out yourself: Mystery Novels: The Expert's Target

Anyhow, Dark River Road was a good book with an intriguing plot. It's somewhat long, but readable.