THE INSTANT BESTSELLER “We the unwilling, led by the unqualified to kill the unfortunate, die for the ungrateful.” –Unknown Soldier Set in the South at the height of the Vietnam War, 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. Gibby’s older brothers have already been to war. One died … Hart’s singular style.
Gibby’s older brothers have already been to war. One died there. The other came back misunderstood and hard, a decorated killer now freshly released from a three-year stint in prison.
Jason won’t speak of the war or of his time behind bars, but he wants a relationship with the younger brother he hasn’t known 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 the day turns ugly when the four encounter a prison transfer bus on a stretch of empty road. Beautiful but drunk, one of the women taunts the prisoners, leading to a riot on the bus. The woman finds it funny in the moment, but is savagely murdered soon after.
Given his violent history, suspicion turns first to Jason; but when the second woman is kidnapped, the police suspect Gibby, too. Determined to prove Jason innocent, Gibby must avoid the cops and dive deep into his brother’s hidden life, a dark world of heroin, guns and outlaw motorcycle gangs.
What he discovers there 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.
This is crime fiction at its most raw, an exploration of family and the past, of prison and war and the indelible marks they leave.
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This is a powerful and intense story of the French Family set in North Carolina during the Vietnam War. The French brothers, oldest to youngest are Robert, Jason, and Gibson “Gibby”. Gibby’s older brothers have already been to war. Unfortunately Robert died there. Jason served three tours of duty in Vietnam eventually returning home with PTSD. He is newly released after serving three years in prison from killing someone. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book that is honest about how the war effects the veterans and family mainly because no one talks about it. My family included! This story and characters has many layers, it’s a murder mystery too. It’s fast paced, violent, thrilling, and raw. A great read! Thank you to BookishFirst and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.
This is my first book by John Hart and it is a winner!! What I loved about this book was that it was a combination of so many things. It was a thriller, a family drama and a coming of age novel. The story was about the horrors of war and what it can do to a young man. It was also a story of a family fractured by the loss of one son to the war and another who came back from Vietnam psychologically damaged and drug addicted. Their youngest son, Gibby is all they feel they have left and they will do anything to protect him.
The novel is set during the time of the Vietnam war, when young men were being drafted into the Army unless they had a deferment. The family of Detective French has been through a lot. Their oldest son, Robert, was killed in the war previously. The second son, Jason served three years in the war and then a prison sentence. He has been released and their youngest son, Gibby spots him at the local quarry where many high school seniors are enjoying a “senior skip day”, swimming, drinking and socializing. Jason wants to connect with his younger brother and offers a day of adventure and getting to know each other. When Gibby decides to go along with his brother the plot begins it’s twist into some very dark secrets and will include kidnapping, torture and murder.
A young woman is found dead, having been tortured first by someone who must be a very twisted psychopath. With no real leads to the killer the police turn to Jason, who is known to have had a violent history. Gibby will continue to try to prove Jason’s innocence but that path will lead to incredible danger for himself and his best friend Chance.
The story is told from Gibby’s point of view. While all of the drama is playing out with his brother he is discovering his first love, Becky. When they meet there is an immediate chemistry and Becky is there for Gibby when they begin to try to find Jason when he disappears. Their investigation will lead to meeting some very dangerous people, drug dealers, motorcycle gangs and others who will do anything to keep Gibby from discovering some incredible secrets.
I will not describe any more of the plot but will leave you to discover the story for yourself. This book had me from the first page to the last with an incredibly intense ending.
The characters are well defined and I could visualize them and the bonds between the brothers and friends. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a well plotted, intense mystery/drama.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.
The Unwilling is set to publish on June 23, 2020
5 Stars for this latest by John Hart. Intense story from beginning to end. Hooked from page one. I finished it in one day – could not put it down. Definitely recommend!
Thank you #netgalley and #St. Martin’s Press for the eARC.