Upon turning 16, Jacob McNeely drops out of high school to work for his father, who runs a meth ring in the mountains of western North Carolina. A few years later, he is tasked with disposing of Robbie—one of his father's meth suppliers—but the killing is botched when Robbie is found, barely alive. At the same time, Jacob's attempt at rekindling his relationship with ex-girlfirend Maggie is thwarted when he is arrested for assaulting Maggie's new boyfriend. Tension escalates among the McNeely family members as Jacob's father becomes paranoid that Robbie will squeal to the cops about Jacob's role.
VERDICT Readers of Southern grit lit in the tradition of Daniel Woodrell and Harry Crews will enjoy this fast-paced debut thriller by the author of Growing Gills: A Fly Fisherman's Journey. Fan of Ron Rash's novels will appreciate the intricate plot and Joy's establishment of a strong sense of place in his depiction of rural Appalachia.
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