тАЬEdgarтАУwinner Cook examines the slow collapse of a prominent Southern family in this magnificent tale of suspense.тАЭ тАФPublishers Weekly (starred review)
In 1954 Mississippi, Jack Branch returns to his fatherтАЩs Delta estate, Great Oaks, to start what he considers a noble act: teaching at the local high school. Leading a class discussion on historical evil, Jack is shocked to discover that his unassuming student Eddie is the son of the Coed Killer, a notorious local murderer.
Jack feels compelled to mentor the boy, encouraging Eddie to examine his fatherтАЩs crime and using his own good name to open the doors that EddieтАЩs lineage canтАЩt. But when EddieтАЩs investigation leads him to Great Oaks and to JackтАЩs own father, Jack finds himself questioning EddieтАЩs motivesтАФand his own.
As the deadly consequences of JackтАЩs actions fall inescapably into place, Thomas H. Cook masterfully reveals the darker truths that lurk in the depths of small-town lives and in the hearts of even well-intentioned men.
тАЬBeautifully written and heavily muscled with character and intrigue, this novel is a tour de force.тАЭ тАФMichael Connelly
тАЬThe plot is laced with unexpected twists, and CookтАЩs writing is deeply atmospheric.тАЭ тАФAssociated Press
тАЬ[An] enthralling tale . . . thrilling.тАЭ тАФThe New York Times Book Review
тАЬA joy to read . . . nearly perfect.тАЭ тАФThe Kansas City Star