From The Dust: A Novel by David Swinson

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

When a murder occurs in a small town in Upstate New York, retired police detective Graham Sanderson, is drawn back into a vortex of violence, deception, and a series of murders which get dangerously personal.

Graham Sanderson thought he’d left it all behind. His years as a Washington, DC, homicide detective, his tragically dead wife, pain, violence. Taking over his father’s house in the remote Finger Lakes region of rural New York, and looking after his shut-in brother, Tommy, seemed like a respite. That is, until the first body is found.

The chief of the town’s small police jurisdiction, who is also a family friend, asks for Graham’s assistance. Graham’s instincts immediately kick in and he soon discovers there’s more to the area – the people, its brutally quiet, sophisticated hierarchies – than he or his family ever knew.

David Swinson's latest novel is a soulful, rural noir story about the extremities to which it pushes a community, the fear it instills in the hearts of adherents and doubters alike, and need for it nevertheless. As Graham delves deeper into the strange and then stranger circumstances of the murders, his own beliefs become challenged. What do you finally stand for when you’ve got nothing left to lose?

my thoughts:

Love me a story set in a small town. From The Dust is a gripping mystery thriller by David Swinson. Chock full of suspense, this terrific tale will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow along with each clue picked up along the way. I enjoyed getting to know Graham and the small town he now calls home. He thought looking after his brother would be easier than his former life as a homicide detective, except this small town has a dark underbelly that is darker than even he could have imagined. Yep, there is a serial killer on the loose and finding out whodunit may be even more dangerous than Graham expected. Whoa! Talk about a small town lacking in charm. 

Swinson has written a must-read detective story that is engaging, thoughtful and unputdownable. It's giving noir vibes in all the best ways. There are compelling characters, a dangerous mystery, secrets and lies, and the pace of the story is slow-going until it's not. This is one book that you have to get your hands on ASAP. You are going to LOVE it to bits! I would happily recommend From The Dust to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - check it out!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!