Thanks to Netgalley for a digital ARC of this book.

This was one intense read. I went into this not knowing much about it other than I had read Johnston's first book and thought it was pretty good. In this one, the hits keep on coming. There was a particular moment in the beginning--when I really didn't know what the book was about or what to expect--when I gasped, realizing what was happening to the two young, female characters. Overall, this isn't one person's story; rather, it tells the story of a number of people from the same community, each of them dealing with hardship and loss, many of these areas connecting in known and unknown ways. I found it to be very readable and became emotionally invested in the characters.

If I had a gripe about the book (other than the lack of formatting in my ARC--I assume the final version will help a great deal with the POV switches when it's properly formatted and edited), it's that the end didn't provide that final click I needed. The author gives you all the information you need to construct a strong theory about what happened--and I'm pretty sure I can come up with an answer for most of my questions--but you don't know for sure. And as I closed the last page, I was concerned about my theory because early in the book, Johnston shows us that you can't always believe the story you construct for yourself. Without giving anything away, he presents a version of events that even one boy's mother believes about him (and it's not good for him). But you start to realize, bit by bit, that there could be another narrative if you'd only consider it. When I got to the end and thought I knew what happened, I couldn't help but wonder if I really did or if Johnston was presenting me with another conundrum. So I'd like something a bit more concrete upon which to base my final interpretation.

One other thing I liked was the use of occasional supernatural in the book. There are several moments scattered throughout that suggest, like the overall plot, that currents run deep and you don't always know what's under the surface. You can choose, again like the plot, to interpret the supernatural elements however you like: does the twin brother have some kind of second sense about his bother? Or is he only engaging in fanciful thinking, fueled by his mental disability? Does the girl from the river really know the thoughts of other girls who have gone into the river with or before her? Or is she recalling dreams and nightmares from her horrific experience combined with the medicated rest afterwards in the hospital? It was a nice, subtle touch and well-done.

Overall, I recommend this novel. This is not, however, for the faint of heart.

I liked the beginning bilut somewhere towards the middle I felt the story was dragging. It kept me very interested in the plot, though. I just found the writing kind of heavy for me. But I definitely liked the story. The character I liked most was the ex Sherif, Sutter.

I also liked Audrey because she did not act stupid; and Caroline was a character that deserves a story of her own.

I am so not into paranormal things so I guess that is why I didn't enjoybthe story more. Not that it is paranormal, but it has just a little bit of it here and there.

At the end, I didn't finf out if they were actually murdered. Did somebody push their car into the river? I guess I missed that part as I skipped some pages here and there.

All in all a very nice story, and if you dig the writing, then you might just love it.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this title.

This book is phenomenal! Well written, fantastic development of the characters and totally memorizing! Could not put it down.

Thank you Net Galley for the free ARC.

Two girls on their way home on a sleety night, spin off the road and almost go into the river. Almost that is, until a car comes along and bumps them down the embankment into the current. Who would do such a thing? This sets off an investigation into another death that occurred long ago and was never solved. Good police drama.

I couldn't stop reading! This author grabs your attention with the first paragraph and keeps going. Any young women/women who have ever barely escaped from a scary situation will identify with Audrey; keep reading!

I heard a lot of buzz about author Tim Johnston's Descent, and although I did not read it, I could not wait to read The Current. Audrey Sutter, a college student, wants to go home to Minnesota to visit her father, a former town sheriff, who is dying of cancer. Making an impulse decision, her friend Caroline decides instead of loaning her bus money, she will make the trip with her. The girls stop at a remote gas station in Iowa, and Audrey is ambushed by two young men. Caroline, armed with pepper spray, frees her friend and they make a run for it. The two girls end up on the edge of a river, with the car teetering on the icy banks. Headlights appear, and then --- a tap. The car plunges into the partially frozen river. Audrey lives, but Caroline is not so lucky. Was it intentional? An accident? When Audrey returns home, she realizes ten years ago, a young woman in her home town also lost her life in the same river. She starts to investigate the crime, and realizes that there are secrets in her town that some people would rather not have brought to light.
A good mystery, with a sad, unexpected ending.