A good, thick, full thriller... - Rated 
I think in order to write a fantastic thriller, it's not just about a complex multi-layered plot, though obviously this is important; I think the characterisation has to be spot on and the ending clever. And for the most part 'Down River' hit the nail on the head.
The central characters - Adam Chase and his (wonderfully dysfunctional) family - are diverse and interesting and there's a couple of sub-plots thrown in should you become in any way bored with what's going on. It all makes for pretty good reading.
My only criticism is I guessed quite early on 'whodunnit' but then I suppose you could argue that reading about Adam getting there was just as much fun...
Some clever twists - Rated 
There isn't much product information available on Amazon so to give you an idea what it's about, Adam Chase lives in New York having left his home town five years following an acquital from a murder charge - all this is revealed within first and second chapter so it isn't a plot spoiler - but his friend from home calls him and he has to go back. When he gets home people start turning up dead and unfortunately Adam looks like number one suspect with only him being able to clear his name.
The writing style took me a little while to settle into. The sentences are disjointed in places and there is no descriptive narrative as such. The only thing I can compare it to is Gordon Ramsey when he does his recipes and he simply says the bog standard ingredient and method. Hopefully you know what I mean if you've ever watched his most recent shows. Because of this, I couldn't get into a flow and my reading initially wasn't enjoyable. However I soon got used to it and eventually the plot became more of a focus than the writing style.
All of the characters are interesting. Some of the relationships will leave you a bit puzzled, mainly for me that was the relationship between Grace and Adam. Eventually all the links between the characters becomes clear and you can start putting two and two together; yet I don't think you'll ever completely work everything out. John Hart has been clever and there are some amazing aspects of the plot that come in the last quarter of the novel.
I don't feel like it's a fast paced thriller but it is definitely atmospheric and exciting; leaving the reader to question the betrayals that have happened and whether they would do the same in Adam's situation. Even when explanations have occured you are still left with an unsettled feeling of whether people should've done what they did. As for other novels like it, the blurb talks about John Grisham, Scott Turow and Raymond Chandler; I haven't read any of those but they are ones I'll hunt out in the future based on this novel. Whilst I've only given it a 4 star review and not a 5, it is only the writing style that let it down as the plot was great.
This book is part of the Richard & Judy Summer 2008 Reads and I can see why. It has huge appeal for a range of audiences, this is my seventh read from the summer reads and it is third to 'No Time for Goodbye' and 'East of the Sun'.
highly enjoyable read - Rated
I really enjoyed this book. It was very easy to read but also very well written. The real killer came as a surprise. My only problem was that Adam was just a bit too cool. Some people have compared it unfavourably to A Quiet Belief in Angels. I much prefer the style of writing in this and the plot was much better too, in my opinion. Recommended.
And You Think You Have a Dysfunctional Family - Rated 
Just when it seemed like it would be impossible to create a new form of a troubled family, John Hart smashes our stereotypes with some serious new dimensions to that cliché, the dysfunctional family. Many people have had wicked stepmothers, but how many have had a stepmother who accuses a stepchild of murder and becomes the main witness against him?
After an acquittal, Adam Chase is paid off by his father for Adam's inheritance in the family partnership and leaves town for New York where he leads an aimless life. All that changes when his best friend calls from North Carolina asking Adam to return to help him make something of himself. Adam procrastinates but eventually heads home.
Once there, he finds that time has not healed very many wounds . . . but has certainly opened some new ones.
It's like the story of the prodigal son, except the prodigal isn't treated with open arms by his father. Instead, the prodigal is shunned and treated like he's killed someone.
That background quickly heats up as new violence flares around Adam and his family. Because of his background, Adam finds himself accused again . . . even if he's only in the vicinity.
As badly as Adam has been doing, others have been struggling more.
John Hart does an outstanding job of keeping family mysteries, crime mysteries, and personal mysteries up in the air while slowly bringing Adam up to date on what's really been going on in his home town. Unlike most stories of this sort, I was kept guessing about many things right up to the end. I found that combination of good story telling, excellent character development, strong plot, lean narration, and lots of action made for a superb book.
Bravo! John Hart is a major talent. It's always great to find such a writer when he's early in his career. I plan to read his first book, King of Lies, as well.
Great book and amazing ending - Rated
I read the King of Lies during my honeymoon in Malaysia and that is why I probably thought that it was a great book. But I have to admit one more time that I really enjoy Mr. Hart and Down River is even better. I really like the way the book is written. Easy to read and very enjoyable.
Jose Maria(Spain)
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