John

I've listened and read all the Burke books and I was stunned by the depth of description of the natural world of the book and the touch Burke has on the dark depths that Clete is drawn into. His description of the inner life of his characters is simply amazing. Every character is alive, real, and feels honest. Will Pattons voice is so smooth and fits the characters with perfection. I kept wanting to share with my wife the language of Burke as it spoke so powerfully and was so unique it stuck to me. I rank this one as his best one yet. Is there violence? You bet. Are there EVIL people? Always. The relationship between Clete and Dave as they face their own limits is so clearly portrayed through it all with the sound and images of Viet Nam always near the surface.

This challenging world is written about with a gifted ease.

The return of the snow child after summer.

The meeting between the young mountain girl and her future husband.

When she became sick and disappeared in the night I ached.

The truth of this harsh world is easily portrayed by the writer and expressed through the lives of real characters. "Easy" is hard to do and wonderful to experience. I count this as one of my favorite listens.

surprising, believable, suspenseful

The exchange with the grandfather in prison and his involvement with the conclusion of the trial.

Very natural and easy to visualize the character

I was easily drawn in and identified with the fathers unfailing defense of his son.

If you liked the first two this final story is exceptional in its detail and plot. I loved it.

I was somewhat overwhelmed in the first portion due to the lingo and descriptors of a future eco/world. I was hooked on the 2nd third and couldn't stop towards the end. This is a big world of unique people in a future world with many relevant eco/environmental issues at play. The windup girl? amazing read.