The Line That Held Us

By: David Joy

Narrated by: Macleod Andrews

From critically acclaimed author David Joy comes a remarkable novel about the cover-up of an accidental death and the dark consequences that reverberate through the lives of four people who will never be the same again.

When Darl Moody went hunting after a monster buck he's chased for years, he never expected he'd accidentally shoot a man digging ginseng. Worse yet, he's killed a Brewer, a family notorious for vengeance and violence. With nowhere to turn, Darl calls on the help of the only man he knows will answer, his best friend, Calvin Hooper. But when Dwayne Brewer comes looking for his missing brother and stumbles onto a blood trail leading straight back to Darl and Calvin, a nightmare of revenge rips apart their world.

The Line That Held Us is a story of friendship and family, a tale balanced between destruction and redemption, where the only hope is to hold on tight, clenching to those you love. What will you do for the people who mean the most, and what will you grasp to when all that you have is gone? The only certainty in a place so shredded is that no one will get away unscathed.

©2018 David Joy (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Unflinching... Joy writes about rough-hewn men and women eking out a living in an economically depressed area, trying to avoid - but often affected by - violence and drugs that permeate the region. Their lives are tied to the land, its history, and their families who established lives there decades ago.” (Associated Press)

“A suspenseful page-turner, complete with one of the absolutely killer endings that have become one of Joy’s signatures.” (Los Angeles Times)

“Joy has proved adept with southern noir in his first two novels, and he nails it again here, in the actions of characters who act as they must, for the sake of family and friendship, given their nature. This is fiction as beautiful and compelling as it is searing.” (Booklist, starred review)

Exciting!

The action starts early, as is typical in a novel by David Joy. It’s hard to know what to say without giving away key plot lines, so I’ll say that if you’re already a fan of Joy’s work, this novel will not disappoint. If you haven’t yet read him, start and don’t stop until you’ve read all three. I have the audiobooks, Kindles, and paperbacks or hardbacks of most of them they’re such my favorites.

The audiobook recording is super. The way the depth and tenor of the performer’s voice changes with character is great.

I won’t lie, they’re dark, and if you don’t like gritty novels, this won’t be to your tastes, But if that’s your cup of tea, dive right in: you’ll be a fan.

great writing/narration

Seems this would make a great movie...but I would probably hate it because it wouldn't match the vivid screenplay in my mind. I'm not sure if it was the writing or the narrator's performance that made the setting and the conversation feel so real to me.

I was leery of reading this book. The last book I read by this author was well written, but the story had one bad horrible thing after another happen til all the main characters were dead. That seems as unrealistic to me as always a happy ending...it's not character driven.

This author is so talented that despite the contrived ending of one of his books, I had to try another. This story felt more true to it's characters.

Not for those with sensitive stomachs as this guy can describe a decomposing human corpse in such detail I could almost smell it! Loved the strong woman character in this one. Great Southern Goth use of Scripture. Narrator perfect for story (though I'm not real familiar with accent/dialect of the geographical setting).

Over all a very good book.

What a dang story....worthy for the big screen

this was an amazing story that is worthy for the big screen. David Joy done so well writing this book and developing its characters

Incredible

Beautifully written, captivating story. The narration is the best I've heard. Can't recommend this one enough.

A story that holds you

Poetic, tragic and gritty. This book was excellent. The narration was top-notch. Highly recommend for fans of rural, southern, or gritty fiction.

Destruction and Redemption

There is savagery, violence, vengeance, and just a hint of madness in this taut, compact thriller from David Joy. In the deep woods of North Carolina, a man goes hunting for a trophy buck, and accidentally shoots another man instead. When the victim’s Bible-quoting brother seeks revenge, things get ugly fast, and then weird. Macleod Andrews delivers a profoundly authentic narration.

fantastic read!

David Joy never disappoints! a little different from his first two books. A great book I highly recommend.

DAVID JOY = UNDISPUTED MASTER!!

David Joy's work provides introduction into a world few of us truly understand. He can make you fear and empathize with the same character, often at the same time. I've not read any author who can reflect the shades of gray in humanity with more skill, and to clarify, I read the entire Game of Thrones series.

Without providing a plot summary or any details, I'll just say that this book made me feel beautifully exhausted at its end. Although Joy constructs an elaborate mental imagery and provides necessary back story, the pacing of his novels never suffer. There is nothing extemporaneous here. Every word serves a purpose. He forces characters well past their emotional and physical limits and drags the reader along without pity. I respect the courage it must take to write without reservations for a reader's emotional fragility. After reading his first novel, I bought my parents a copy and texted the people in my life who love to read. Thank you, David Joy. Please never stop writing. Ever.

Amazing

David Joy is a masterful storyteller. Everyone of his books are amazing and the narrator puts you right there with David. As if you’re just sitting there listening to a crazy, heartbreaking story unfold.

Possibly his best

I love all of David Joy's books, but this one might be my favorite. Definitely his most literary, and probably his darkest. I loved it!