I've enjoyed all of Tim Johnston's books and for me this was his best book yet. It's going to be a hard book to review because I don't want to give away any spoilers for other readers. What I can and will tell you is that this is a book full of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages PLUS it has a wonderfully well developed main character who keeps the reader even more invested in the story and the ultimate ending.

Sean Courtland's old Chevy truck broke down outside of a small town in Wisconsin. A good Samaritan stropped and suggested a repair shop, gave him a ride into town and when he found out that Sean was a carpenter told him about an old guy in town who needed some work done. In quick succession, he gets the job, ends up in a bar fight defending a girl that he didn't even know who was being harassed which causes him to become known to the local police. He picks up a hitchhiker a few days later and when he finds out that Dan is a plumber, he asks him to help finish up the repair job that he's doing. They quickly get noticed by the people in town who are still haunted by the disappearance of three young boys years before.

Both Sean and Dan have secrets from their past and no real homes - instead they both travel around and work when they need a little money. Their work for an old man who the townspeople believe had something to do with the boy's disappearance all those years ago, brings new light to the cold case.

This book could have been very confusing -- there were a lot of different characters plus its told in two time lines but everything fit together perfectly and pointed toward the ending. Sean is definitely the 'star' of the novel - a nice guy who liked helping people but seems to attract trouble even if he isn't looking for trouble. He's quiet but always thinking and rationalizing situations. He's one of my favorite characters that I've read in a long time.
If you enjoy a good mystery, well written characters and small town ambience, this is a book that you don't want to miss. It isn't a book that you want to speed through -- but want to read slowly and savor the writing and the character development. It's a definite must read! ( )