When These Mountains Burn

By: David Joy

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the 2020 Dashiell Hammett Award for Literary Excellence in Crime Writing

Acclaimed author and "remarkably gifted storyteller" (The Charlotte Observer) David Joy returns with a fierce and tender tale of a father, an addict, a lawman, and the explosive events that come to unite them.

When his addict son gets in deep with his dealer, it takes everything Raymond Mathis has to bail him out of trouble one last time. Frustrated by the slow pace and limitations of the law, Raymond decides to take matters into his own hands.

After a workplace accident left him out of a job and in pain, Denny Rattler has spent years chasing his next high. He supports his habit through careful theft, following strict rules that keep him under the radar and out of jail. But when faced with opportunities too easy to resist, Denny makes two choices that change everything.

For months, the DEA has been chasing the drug supply in the mountains to no avail, when a lead - just one word - sets one agent on a path to crack the case wide open...but he'll need help from the most unexpected quarter.

As chance brings together these men from different sides of a relentless epidemic, each may come to find that his opportunity for redemption lies with the others.

©2020 David Joy (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Slow-burning.... With memorable characters, deft plotting, and an attention to detail, Joy has written a powerful work of crime fiction." (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

"Joy portrays his characters with unflinching realism. Creative turns of phrase and creative colloquialisms move the story forward and keep the otherwise disheartening subject matter full of thrilling surprises. As Southern noir-tinged fiction gains a well-deserved audience, Joy is one voice that never disappoints." (Booklist)

"[An] engrossing drama of violence and vengeance.... Joy's razor-sharp prose details disturbing, graphic images of brutality that begin when Raymond resolves to protect his son.... Joy handles everything with ease, proving himself to be one hell of a writer." (Publishers Weekly)

Takes me back

I no longer live in North Carolina, but David Joy's words take me right back to Transylvania County where folks tell you how long it will take you to get somewhere, because who can count miles on those twisting, winding roads? Soft, sweet nights and days when the sun fells like it's inches away. Those mountains hold a lot of secrets, and nobody's talking.

Outstanding!

This is absolutely wonderful in every way. I loved everything about it. The narration is perfection! The story is compelling and moving, a truly remarkable listening experience.

Another great one

Another great book from David Joy. Such a great writer and storyteller. Character development is always great and that’s the of this book as well.

A crime novel that dares to go deeper

Loved it from the first chapter to the last. Wonderful performance only made it better! A fantastic story and the characters are so deep. I got it here on Audible but this is one I'm absolutely going to get the hardcover of just so I can re-read it.

Another Winner!

David Joy's stories are gritty and "real", and I have adored every single one I have heard. This one is no exception. I've spent my life near the areas he writes about, and I often find that his characters feel so familiar to me. These are not sunshine and roses kinds of stories. They are authentic, beautifully written and narrated, and I cannot wait for the next one.

unbelievable!!!!

what a joy! This book was so artfully, wonderfully written. I could not quit listening!

A fun read that’s hard to set down

This is a fun book to read that is hard to set down. I think the second time I read it was even better than the first time. It’s fast past and exciting and shows a little of every side of this story. It’s definitely a book I would recommend.

joy delivers as promised

Writing style is so easy to read in that lets you actually feel for all of the characters involved. David Joy has such skill in combining the heart-in-mouth feeling that everything is building to a disaster with genuine emotion. I was hanging on every ounce.

This one is great

Such a good listen. The story is gritty and raw, but fulfilling to listen to. The narrator was outstanding.

Great listen

Dynamic story, terrific character development and plot. Narration of a few of the characters are a bit grating but typical of how some mountain people talk and sound.