River Ghosts

by B.R. Robb

Book Overview

"Robb depicts Henry's terror campaign and Richard's hunger for justice with steely eloquence." - Publishers Weekly."Starred Review. The pseudonymous Robb, an attorney, writes with the chilling clarity... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1594146543
• ISBN13: 9781594146541
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Five Star (ME)
• Length: 307 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

A Taut, Thrilling, Touching Literary Mystery

An exciting and entertaining story for the intelligent reader. River Ghosts features a biracial protagonist, a rarity in the mystery genre. Robb's tightly crafted prose and deft pacing move this book into the select realm of literary mystery writers such as Ed McBain/Evan Hunter. The novel examines important issues including DNA testing, religion and the inaccuracy of eyewitness testimony. After a DNA test clears the man imprisoned for his parent's murders, Richard Hill - now a cop -- must find the truth. The novel is fast-paced and intriguing yet touching. This book is so beautifully written that you will be tempted to read it slowly, savoring every moment.

Strong First Person Voice Gives Literary Feel to Mystery on Racial Violence

Bruce Steinberg (The Widow's Son), writing as B.R. Robb, has given us a mystery with a complex and thoughtful protagonist, a biracial man who as a small boy witnessed the brutal murders of his parents. When DNA evidence exonerates the man that he identified as the murderer sixteen years earlier, he must deal with the incident, his past, his co-workers, his blessed Aunt Doria, and the community of Red River Falls in ways that he has always sought to avoid before. In doing so, he not only solves the mystery of what happened in Red River Falls, but he banishes the ghosts that have kept him not only separate from others, but truly alone. Bruce has a masterful way of expressing emotions and imagery which sets this mystery apart from cozies and thrillers and who-done-its and makes it instead a somber and disquieting literary gem with an ultimate message of hope and love. Given the literary quality of this book (which resulted in a rare, starred Kirkus review comparing Bruce's writing to that of Alice Sebold), the biracial protagonist, the Chicago-area author, the timeliness of the DNA and hidden racism storylines, and the affirming and uplifting spirit of the novel, many people may be asking why Oprah isn't reading "River Ghosts" and interviewing Bruce on television, but the more important question is: Why aren't you reading it? Buy it, borrow it, ask your library to get it, but you must read this book. Donald J. Bingle

Intelligent and Intense

B.R. Robb gives a reader much to think about. From the opening pages to the exciting ending, the reader remains captivated by the cat and mouse game played between the hate-filled antagonist and his counterpart, the emotionally damaged protagonist. These characters come off the page to involve you in their struggle. The battle they wage is an old one, yet one that, unfortunately, remains strong in today's world--racial hatred and intolerance. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants an intelligent story with strong character relationships, and a surprise ending. Enjoy.

exhilarating character driven thriller

In Red River Falls, terrified racially mixed eight year old Richard Hill hides under his family's kitchen table as he sees teenage Henry Clayton rape and kill the child's white mother. The preadolescent knows he will be haunted forever with the swastika tattoo that Richard proudly displayed. Henry is convicted of the rape-murder while Richard's black father tries to help his son move past the hate crime. Sixteen years later newly discovered DNA evidence exonerates Henry. The Illinois governor pardons him and he is released from prison. Now a Red River Falls police officer, Richard believes the so-called new proof is a fake as he witnessed Henry rape and kill his mom. When an elderly gay man is murdered, the circumstantial evidence points towards a white supremacist friend of Henry as the killer. Richard and his squad car partner believe Henry is involved, but have to find concrete evidence to validate their theory in court. The adversarial relationship between Henry and Richard make for an exhilarating character driven thriller. The same event has turned both men into obsessive individuals although Henry already had a cause before the rape murder of Richard's mom. Readers will appreciate this strong look at two foes; one a homegrown terrorist using race as his cause while the other became a cop in homage to his mom as he needs to insure victims see justice occur starting with himself. Harriet Klausner