This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I’m not convinced his style is the right match for me. I listened to the audiobook, which runs about 15 hours, and while the narrator was decent, I didn’t find the performance particularly compelling.

The biggest issue for me was the pacing. For the type of story being told, the book felt far too long. Many overly detailed sections didn’t feel necessary and slowed down the narrative. What could have been a tight, engaging mystery instead dragged in places and lost momentum. Despite the praise this book has received, I found it to be overhyped. The mystery itself was mediocre, the plot was lackluster, and the characters felt flat. There’s also quite a bit of profanity, which I personally found off-putting.

That said, there were a few things I appreciated. The setting, a small town in Missouri, was vivid and well drawn. The author did a strong job capturing the atmosphere and building morally grey characters, even if I didn’t like them. At times, the tone and storyline reminded me of movies like Forrest Gump and Catch Me If You Can, with a slightly cinematic quality.

I also liked the super short chapters, which helped make the long read feel more manageable. The story is told in a dual timeline with multiple points of view, which added complexity. Unfortunately, many of the side plots felt distracting rather than enriching. They were well-written, but I found myself wishing the focus had stayed more on the central mystery.

As for the characters, I struggled to connect with any of them. The main character, Patch, was particularly difficult to root for. He came across as selfish and emotionally careless, and his deep trauma was never truly addressed in a way that felt meaningful.

I think it’s important to note that this is not your typical mystery or crime thriller. While a mystery is present, it takes a backseat to character exploration. The book is far more concerned with the emotional and psychological ripple effects of a crime than the crime itself.

Overall, this one just didn’t work for me. If you enjoy slow-burning, character-driven stories that unfold over decades and are less about plot and more about internal conflict and setting, you might enjoy it more than I did. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it, especially given the length, but if the premise intrigues you, it may still be worth checking out.