John Fram

Review of eBook

Toby Tucker and his son, Luca, and his new wife, Alyssa, travel from Los Angeles to Ramorah, her family’s estate in Hebron, Texas. His meeting with her parents had been less than auspicious; he felt rather anxious about meeting her televangelist grandfather and the rest of the family. Naturally, the reputation of Jerome Jeremiah Wright, billed as America’s Prophet, was a bit daunting, even for someone who considered The Prophecy Hour a carnival act.

But the Wright clan . . . filled with cruelty and spite . . . isn’t particularly welcoming.

And then Jerome is found on the roof . . . murdered.

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With all the elements of a gothic horror novel, this unfolding narrative reveals the closely-held secrets in this family. With well-drawn [but not at all likable] characters, a huge Southern gothic mansion, a fierce storm, and a delightfully twisted plot filled with unexpected revelations, readers will find this dysfunctional family tale keeps them guessing.

With an undercurrent of tension running throughout the telling of the tale, the various characters reveal their true natures. Suspense builds, heightened by creepy sightings, shivery shadows, and a touch of the occult, all leading to an unexpected denouement. Fans of family drama, suspense, and thrillers will find much to appreciate here.

Recommended.

Unfortunately, the use of an unnecessary expletive throughout the narrative is certain to offend many readers; its overuse lowers the rating for the book.

I received a free copy of this book from Atria Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#NoRoadHome #NetGalley… (meer)

It’s an absolutely wonderfully told story with crime fiction mixed with horror straight out of your worse nightmares. My kind of book in every way possible. We visit the conservative Texas town of Bentley where the residents live, eat and breathe Friday night high school football. I’m not taking about being average ‘fan”…I’m taking about overwhelming, over-the –top obsession. They would do literally anything for the players and very soon they will get a chance that they never in their worse nightmare thought they’d ever have. Strange dreams and a sense of impending dread take over the people. When Joel begins to investigate his brother’s death he soon discovers that the town itself may be responsible. Dark secrets that never should have seen the light of day are soon revealed and Joel finds his life in jeopardy…but the question is…from what? It’s a tale with twisted narratives and a brutal look at the human condition. Loved it from the first page to the last. If you like dark mysteries with a hint of the supernatural thrown in…you will love this book also.… (meer)

Joel Whitley reluctantly returns home after receiving a despairing text from his younger brother, although they have grown distant after his flight from the small-minded Texas town of his childhood. Having achieved professional and personal success, Joel feels guilty about abandoning his brother and wants to make amends by offering to pay for his college education. The Bright Lands, by John Fram begins with an introduction to a novel that seemingly will center around the obligations of family and the return of a prodigal son. What follows diverges from that common narrative, however, when the story tumbles down a path that includes a secret cabal and an evil presence. When Joel arrives in Bentley, he sees a town that is besieged by an economic downturn, still obsessed with the local football team on which all its hopes seem to rest. Dylan, Joel’s brother, is the golden boy QB who is revered by all and who bears the burden of the whole town’s expectations. Dylan desperately wants to quit the team, and hints that he is haunted by a deep secret. Before he gets the opportunity to reveal his thoughts to Joel, Dylan is found murdered. Joel pairs up with his ex-girlfriend, now a sheriff’s deputy, to discover why his brother was killed and what he was hiding. They discover that there may be a link between past disappearances of young men in Bentley and Dylan’s death. Clandestine meetings of the town’s elite may also be tied to superstitions of a dark and sinister entity that is rumored to inhabit the wastelands on its borders. The Bright Lands becomes overly ambitious with this inclusion of supernatural elements, and the monstrous presence is superfluous and distracting in a book that already has a surplus of characters and plotlines. The novel also contains awkward moments with some clunky dialog incorporating canned and crass expressions that seem designed only for shock value. Fram should be lauded, however, for his creativity and a refreshing portrayal of openly gay characters. He frames the discrimination Joel experiences with that also faced by other marginalized characters that are mistreated due to their race, class and gender. These topics would have been sufficiently absorbing to capture readers’ interest without a needless foray into a more obvious, literal form of horror.

Thanks to the author, Hanover Square Press and Edelweiss for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.… (meer)