Nothing More Dangerous

De: Allen Eskens

Narrado por: Kevin Stillwell

Missouri native Allen Eskens' "stunning small-town mystery" (New York Times Book Review) is a necessary exploration of family, loyalty, and racial tension in America and "a coming-of-age book to rival some of the best, such as Ordinary Grace" (Library Journal, starred review).

In a small Southern town where loyalty to family and to "your people" carries the weight of a sacred oath, defying those unspoken rules can be a deadly proposition. After fifteen years of growing up in the Ozark hills with his widowed mother, high-school freshman Boady Sanden is beyond ready to move on. He dreams of glass towers and cityscapes, driven by his desire to be anywhere other than Jessup, Missouri. The new kid at St. Ignatius High School, if he isn't being pushed around, he is being completely ignored. Even his beloved woods, his playground as a child and his sanctuary as he grew older, seem to be closing in on him, suffocating him.

Then Thomas Elgin moves in across the road, and Boady's life begins to twist and turn. Coming to know the Elgins -- a black family settling into a community where notions of "us" and "them" carry the weight of history -- forces Boady to rethink his understanding of the world he's taken for granted. Secrets hidden in plain sight begin to unfold: the mother who wraps herself in the loss of her husband, the neighbor who carries the wounds of a mysterious past that he holds close, the quiet boss who is fighting his own hidden battle.

But the biggest secret of all is the disappearance of Lida Poe, the African-American woman who keeps the books at the local plastics factory. Word has it that Ms. Poe left town, along with a hundred thousand dollars of company money. Although Boady has never met the missing woman, he discovers that the threads of her life are woven into the deepest fabric of his world.

As the mystery of her fate plays out, Boady begins to see the stark lines of race and class that both bind and divide this small town -- and he will be forced to choose sides.

Best Book of the Year: Florida Sun-Sentinel and Library Journal
Finalist for the Minnesota Book Award

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A stunning small-town mystery.... Eskens clearly has an affinity for clever boys like Boady and Thomas; but he also has lovely visions of the mighty trees and secret swimming holes that make them long for summer -- and mysteries to solve."—Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review

"Nothing More Dangerous works well as a mystery, a dissection of hatred and racial prejudice, and a coming-of-age novel. . . . Eskens gracefully moves the novel through the little moments that help to shape people and see the world with a different attitude."—Oline H. Cogdill, Associated Press

"The story is gripping. . . . The characters are intriguing. . . . Eskens weaves a fine mystery that involves layers of racial introspection. . . . Eskens tells us in an author's note that he started this book in 1991 and kept putting it away, never quite feeling it was ready. He can proudly pronounce it ready now."—Ginny Greene, Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Allen Eskens hits it out of the park with his new novel.... More relevant than ever in this divided country... This is a story of hope through an act of love.... It would be a fine supplementary text for high schoolers, especially the discussions of prejudice and where it comes from."—Mary Ann Grossman, Pioneer Press

"Mystery Pick of the Month: This powerful, unforgettable crime novel is a coming-of-age book to rival some of the best, such as William Kent Krueger's Ordinary Grace or Larry Watson's Montana 1948.... This timely stand-alone is a must-read for followers of the best in crime fiction."—Library Journal (starred review)

"Allen Eskens doesn't just tap into the experience of growing up in a rural Southern town; Nothing More Dangerous dissects the inner life of a teen forced to confront prejudice and persecution.... Eskens has the skill to make readers cry... and then cheer."—Shelf Awareness

"Magnificent... Nothing More Dangerous is the next best thing to Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.... Setting, plot, and characterization are masterfully woven together to create a tapestry of a small town as a tinderbox of prejudice, fear, friendship, and dark secrets." —New York Journal of Books

"Eskens does an excellent job of weaving [the] disparate threads together into a fine blend of mystery and coming-of-age novel. The setting is spot-on, the characters are empathetic and well realized, and the plot is clever and compelling, building suspense until a harrowing denouement reveals all."—Booklist

"Both heartwarming and hard-nosed, Nothing More Dangerous is a coming-of-age page-turner that probes the dark heart of small towns and the resilient strength that keeps families together."—Thomas Mullen, author of Darktown

Yes

Yes! Yes! This may be fiction, but there are real moments that I can relate

Excellent. I plan on getting this prescribed l

I plan on getting this novel prescribed fot my year ten students. It is an excellent comparative study with To Kill a Mockingbird. I love the thread of friendship in this novel,.not forced, just natural. Children will love thidy book. It slso teminfs me of Hinton's The Outsiders. This book kept me resding in one sitting same as his first novel.

Don't pass this one up!

I've become such a fan of Eskins. This book keeps your interest, pulls at your heartstrings, and will make you question yourself and how you look at things. GREAT book, highly recommend.

Suspense, mystery, and race

This is a tale of suspense, regret, mystery, and race worth reading. Eskins shines again.

Great combo: excellent story and gifted narrator

To be honest, I thought about setting the narration speed to 1.25 or 1.5 when the story began due to Boady's slow southern drawl.
But I'm glad I listened to my 2nd thoughts. As the depth of the story grew and other characters were introduced Boady's tone made sense.

Eskens bring another great story to life with conflict and self growth taking place on each page. Also, from one midwestern to another: Mr Eskens I know 20 people whe could fit that characters personality and that is why I will keep listening to your novels.

Powerful! Important!

I am an avid consumer of books but rarely am I moved to write a review. This book is extremely worthy! Brilliantly written this book expertly deals with difficult subject matter that unfortunately is still very much so relevant. Kudos to Mr Eskens and all involved in the production of this audiobook.

What a great story!

I loved it! Not as good as The Life We Bury or In The Shadows We Hide but it will keep you on the edge of your seat nevertheless. The story is a little slow at the beginning but it gets better for sure. The Narrator nailed the characters.

Good story

I had a bit of a hard time getting through the beginning of this story because of the narrator. I can't say exactly why other than he made the main character (Bodie) seem very indecisive and stupid, when in fact, he was a normal kid going through some abnormal events. As the book went on, Bodie became more thoughtful and deliberate and didn't interfere with the narrative. The plot itself was enjoyable, no big surprises or complexities but enjoyable because the author had a very nice way of laying out details. Not movie material but certainly an enjoyable few days to spend while indoors during COVID.

Detailed and meaningful storyline

Enjoyed it immensely. Just the right amount of tension, and life lessons. Characters are like knowing a real person. Explored racism in a personal way.

Moving heart warming a

Absolutely loved it! Etches its words on your heart and moves one to tears.