Four childhood friends in present-day New Orleans are torn apart by envy, passion, and a secret murder.Five years ago, Meredith, Brandon, Greg, and Stephen quickly discover the fragile boundaries between friendship and betrayal as they enter high school and form new allegiances. Meredith, Brandon, and Greg gain popularity, while Stephen is viciously treated as an outcast. Then two violent deaths … violent deaths destroy the already delicate bonds of their friendship.
When the friends are drawn back together, new facts about their mutual history are exposed and what was held to be a tragic accident is revealed as murder. As the true story emerges, other secrets begin to unravel with more dangerous, far-reaching consequences.
A Density of Souls is a stunning debut novel that uncovers the darker side of the teenage psyche.
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This is my second book by Christopher Rice, and I enjoyed his psychological thriller/coming-of-age story set in contemporary New Orleans. The mood is ominous, brooding with tightly wound emotions. Homoerotic desires and secrets unravel in unspeakable violence amidst four childhood friends. Seams unravel bit by bit as murder and suicide undo four friendships, climaxing with a hurricane that washes away madness brought on by years of jealousy, passion, hatred, tainting not only the main character’s friendship, but also their families, and the entire town.
The story centers around four main Meredith Ducite, Stephen Conlin, Brandon Charbonnet, and Greg Darby. The story begins the Summer of 1992 as the four ride their bikes through Lafayette cemetery to play a game of hide-and-seek while a storm brews overhead. It is here that Meredith witnesses incomprehensible act between Greg and Stephen. She wants to believe it’s just boys play, but on a deeper level, she knows it’s something else.
“Greg and Stephen locked eyes with an intensity that told Meredith they were part of a world
she had been denied access to. It had to be a world known only to boys.”
Soon after the four enter Cannon, a private school for privileged teens, the friendship splinters. Cannon halls are filled with adolescent behaviors and cruelties toward other’s differences. After rumors of Stephens sexual inclination, he’s bullied and ostracized freshman year.
“During his first morning at Cannon Stephen’s only companion was the collective din of
whispers, snickers, and openly disdainful glares.”
Meredith soon spirals into bulimia and alcoholism. Brandon and Greg become popular football stars, hiding their fears and doubts behind masculinity, and bullying Stephen with homophobic slurs and violent acts. But beneath the anger and hatred lies lust, jealousies, and madness, leading to murder, suicide, and unstable adulthoods tainted by adolescent scars.
The story climaxes with an unveiled family secret, threatening an already fragile bond between the main characters. A hurricane sweeps in as if to wipe the slate clean―purge the past and pull a secret into the light. Furious flood waters bring atonement and a fresh start for Meredith and Stephen. This story has many twists and turns steamier than Louisiana’s summer ―tension, lusts, anger, madness… Phew!
The author delved deeply into teenage cruelty, fear, and persecution. I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Rice’s well-written, turbulent coming-of-age story.
Wow, this book was a complete rollercoaster. I kept having to turn the page to see what would happen next and then was completely surprised. Great read for those who like mystery, suspense and secrets.
Absolutely Brilliant!
I almost didn’t read this book because I didn’t think I want to read about high school kids, but the title “A Density of Souls” was too intriguing to pass it up! Christopher, you most certainly succeeded in writing the book that hit me like a freight train and didn’t let go, and I find the prose great, too! It was clear to me much earlier than the last chapter that Jordan and Stephen share more than they know, and I love that they remain together!