On July 14, 1991, an isolated village in rural Northern Wisconsin is ground zero for an unprecedented, fiery tragedy. Of the community's 600 residents, there are only five survivors.
Detailed accounts by the victims contradict one another. The only link is a man named Anthony Guntram who they allege is the primary suspect. Because he is presumed to be dead, this claim can't be verified.
Further investigation reveals a culture steeped in mystery. Arson, forensic and homicide investigators are baffled by the lack of clues. What are the survivors hiding?
Only the villagers know the secret of Amber Hollow, a place where sanity is checked at the town line, and the parameters of reality become blurred.
Assessment:
Plot: While the second half of the novel brings in several fairly predictable elements that help announce the truth behind the story’s mystery and ending, the first half is riveting enough to grab readers’ interest and hold it through the entire book.
Prose/Style: The prose is energetic and moves along at a nice clip, particularly in the main characters’ POV scenes and the historical flashbacks.
Originality: Though containing predictable elements--the historical flashbacks telegraph part of the mystery and ending--there are enough twists and red herrings, such as the contradicting survivor stories and those stories challenging the forensic report, to much compensate for the novel's flaws.
Character Development: The most interesting developments comes from learning what several “stuck in place” characters finally have done to break out of their imprisonments. A twist brought on late in the book by Jeremy, however, seems jarring, because his earlier POV scenes occasionally seem to contradict his actions and backstory; more clarification here might help guide readers.
Date Submitted: August 07, 2019
