I adored the writing in this book. I actually laughed out loud in parts. The writing is just so different. As a Southern woman from a small town, I understood Arlene. A bored housewife. Struggling to start a family. A husband who is less than attentive and a drunk. She gets a job at the police station bagging evidence and reads through the cold cases. She becomes obsessed with one and vows to find the truth.

Definitely 5 stars!

Grieving the loss of her baby at 23 weeks, Arlene needs a distraction. She starts working at the local police department, logging evidence. She then has a new mission, find the truth behind the death of 3 brothers at Deck River. Unfortunately this turned out to be a miss for me. The story sounded so great when I requested but it just fell flat. In a character driven novel, the main character needs to be well developed and someone you want to go along their journey with. They don't have to be a perfect person, but like-able to some degree. Unfortunately I didn't jive with Arlene. The story pacing was slow and I found myself repeatedly not wanting to pick it up. Thank you Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm someone that usually sticks with a book regardless if it stinks. This book however, was beyond fixing. I scrolled through the last 20% just to see the outcome of the mystery because I couldn't spend another minute reading this main characters thoughts over and over again. I didn't like any of the characters as the women were the definition of annoying as I'm a woman myself. The plot not only was sad, but the plot was just not planned out properly. Maybe if the book was shorter? I would give the author another shot in hopes the writing gets better with more experience. Overall it was a great idea - have a girl look at cold cases, but it was executed poorly. Sorry :(

Very readable mystery from a unique point of view. Lots of bits that don't seem very realistic, but that doesn't matter a lot in a light mystery.

After a miscarriage, Arlene finds solace in a job at the local police station, where she uncovers a cold case involving the brutal murder of three young boys two decades earlier. Obsessed with solving the mystery, she embarks on a quest for truth.

Unfortunately, this one wasn’t quite my cup of tea. The book's comedic characterisations often left me puzzled, and I found myself re-reading to understand their actions. The overall tone fluctuated between gritty and cartoonish, creating a disjointed experience. Other characters' motivations for interacting with Arlene were unclear, as no one seemed to genuinely like or respect her. Because of this, it was difficult to invest in the story, and the ending felt a bit flat.

Despite these drawbacks, I was initially drawn in by the captivating cover and enjoyed the mystery aspect, especially Arlene's unconventional involvement in a police case. The portrayal of community dynamics was compelling, and the writing style kept me engaged. Despite its flaws, Arlene's character remained charming, driving my curiosity to see her journey through to the end.

Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

“The Night the River Wept” is by Lo Patrick. This book is told in three points of view - Arlene, the unnamed killer, and diary entries of a deceased person’s sister. Arlene, the main character, is a 24 year old bored (for lack of a better word) woman who has gumption. She’s married to an alcoholic who is rather successful at his job (though why he is when he’s drunk by noon is another question) and talks herself into a job at the town police department. There she becomes an evidence tagger. However, not a lot happens in this town (there’s a line where she’s tagged into evidence a pine cone due to a downed branch) so she decides to read some of the case files in the department. Apparently this is okay by her boss - and Arlene becomes obsessed to solve one of the biggest cases in the town - the murder of the three Broderick kids. I found the idea of this interesting, if a little far fetched (would a new hire be allowed to read old case files *and* try to solve the crime?). I cannot say that I really liked any of the characters in this book, which would have been okay, except that this read like a very character driven book - and in a mystery I’d like to care about someone. This book was different, but due to the slow pacing, it didn’t always keep my attention.

I read this book in just a few days. I absolutely loved The Floating Girls, it was one of my favourite novels.

The Night the River Wept had a good setting, but I didn't love this novel nearly as much. I found the main couple spoke to each other so strangely, that I thought they weren't very intelligent.

I'll read anything from Lo Patrick. She's one of my favourite authors, she is very good at giving dimension to characters.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC! I was so excited to get this Arc from them in my email! 3/5 stars

[arc review]
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Night the River Wept releases July 2, 2024

2.75

At the age of 24, Arlene has just started a new job logging evidence at the local police department. Hours of downtime has her curiously sifting through old case files, and she’s now adamant on solving the case of how the three Broderick kids died, roughly 17 years ago.

This is a slower paced novel and is told through 3 pov’s that include Arlene, the journal entries from one of the deceased’s sister, and the killer who is unnamed.

The characters weren’t quite enticing enough to fully grab my attention, which is a make-or-break factor in a character driven mystery novel where the narrative lacks a propulsive and on-the-edge of your seat feeling.
If I did the math correctly, this is set in the year 2000, but the reader still has to suspend a lot of disbelief with how lackadaisical the town is — I don’t think any police department should be allowing the young, bored housewife with a rich husband and too much time on her hands to spend countless unsupervised hours with evidence logs, no matter how attractive she is.

cw: alcoholic spouse, mention of: miscarriage, suicide, rape, postpartum depression

This is a matter of fact mystery of the death of three boys.
Arlene after having a miscarriage is traumatized that she murdered her baby, declares herself a detective of child murders and applies to work at the police station in the evidence room and sets her mind to solving a cold case of the murdered boys. I struggled to get into the story but around 30% needed to know who did it.
An in depth story of healing trauma and mystery.

As winding as a river can be; this novel is intense, disturbing, and chilling as the events unfurl from years ago revealing what led to the murders of three little boys on the banks of the Deck River. No witnesses ever came forward and no one ever confessed until Arlene Ridel goes to work for the local police and delves into this cold case.

Having read Lo Patrick’s first novel and really enjoyed it; I wasn’t expecting this grittier, dark tale that set me on edge. I suspected one person, for sure, early on in the story. But, I didn’t know the killer until the author finally singled them out at the end. Author Patrick writes country well, with the slang and speech of Southern people.

I really thought this would be more of a women’s fiction novel than it was when I requested an ARC. I do admire Ms. Patrick for keeping each character’s train of thought clear as she spun this web of intrigue and managed to make sense of every character’s involvement. Overall, the story was too deep and troubling for my taste; however, many readers will enjoy it!

I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmark. All opinions are my own.

"The Night the River Wept" by Lo Patrick is a haunting and poignant novel that explores the complexities of grief, loss, and redemption in the aftermath of tragedy. Patrick, with her evocative prose and deeply empathetic storytelling, delivers a powerful narrative that resonates long after the final page is turned.

Set against the backdrop of a small river town, "The Night the River Wept" follows the lives of its inhabitants as they grapple with the aftermath of a devastating flood. At the heart of the story is Emily, a young woman struggling to come to terms with the loss of her family and the trauma of surviving the flood. As she navigates her grief and tries to rebuild her life, she finds solace and companionship in unexpected places, ultimately discovering the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Patrick's writing is lyrical and immersive, with vivid descriptions and atmospheric imagery that bring the town of River's Bend to life. From the rushing waters of the river to the quiet moments of reflection by its banks, Patrick captures the beauty and brutality of nature with stunning clarity. Her ability to evoke a sense of time and place adds depth and richness to the story, drawing readers into the world of the novel and keeping them captivated until the very end.

Moreover, "The Night the River Wept" is not just a story of loss and despair—it's also a testament to the power of love, friendship, and community in times of crisis. Patrick deftly explores the bonds that unite us as human beings, showing how acts of kindness and compassion can help heal even the deepest wounds. Through the interconnected lives of its characters, the novel celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for hope and renewal in the face of tragedy.

The novel is also notable for its well-developed characters and complex relationships. From Emily's journey of self-discovery to the various townspeople grappling with their own grief and guilt, each character is brought to life with depth and nuance. Patrick's portrayal of human emotions and motivations is both sensitive and insightful, offering readers a window into the hearts and minds of her characters as they navigate the turbulent waters of life.

In conclusion, "The Night the River Wept" by Lo Patrick is a moving and beautifully written novel that will tug at the heartstrings of readers. With its evocative prose, compelling characters, and universal themes of loss and resilience, it's a book that speaks to the power of hope and healing in the face of adversity. Patrick's storytelling prowess shines through on every page, making "The Night the River Wept" a must-read for fans of literary fiction and heartfelt storytelling.

4/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

Arlene struggles with grief following her miscarriage. To take her mind off things she gets a job as a "tag and bagger" at the local sheriff's department in small town Faber. While in the basement waiting for evidence, the lecherous sheriff allows Arlene to look into a cold case to see if she can solve it. [Right here I'm like, Seriously??] The case involves the deaths of three young brothers who came from the "wrong side" of town, their sister who gave birth to a baby fathered by their father and whom the sister abandons with her boyfriend (the "supposed" baby-daddy), who then hangs himself, and some hardly visible character names J.P. who works in a stable.

Lo Patrick's second book, The Night the River Wept, does have some charm. Arlene is quite clever for as simple as she sounds and she reads like the type of person "pert near anyone" could get along with. There are a few scenes that are humorous but wholly out of line with the plot, and I did appreciate the small-town references. But the charm wanes and the reader is left with a slow-moving, implausible, shallow story that was, at times, a chore to get through.

I didn't hate The Night the River Wept, I just didn't see the reason for reading it. The writing was good enough that I wouldn't completely discount giving Patrick's other book a go.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmark for this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on July 2, 2024.

Arlene and Tommy have been married for a while and are trying to have kids but recently experienced a miscarriage. Arlene is a housewife and she is getting sick of her husband’s behavior. He is an alcoholic and recently got a DUI. Tommy is a real estate tycoon. He makes a lot of money and thinks that Arlene should be a housewife but she’s bored. She decides to get a job at the police station where she bags and tags evidence but they live in a small town where nothing really happens so she has a lot of time to snoop through old police files. She stumbles on an unsolved case from 20 years ago. Three children were found killed by the river and the person that supposedly did it committed suicide but rumor has it that maybe he didn’t even do it. The book is a slow burn mystery about murder in a small town. The police department seems flat out incompetent. The people in this book fill all the stereotypes of small town life and honestly I kept having to remind myself that these people have money and live in nice houses. It felt out of place in the setting. I have a few issues with the plausibility of the book. I can’t understand how a women with no experience and a high school degree can go into a police station and just get a job. Then the chief basically just lets her investigate this old case. Is that even legal? Don’t you need to be a detective????? I also had a few other issues. Tommy is a screw up. Constantly getting hammered at 10 in the morning but also a successful business man? It seems everyone is ok with his drinking habits because he is loaded. Also why does Arlene desperately want his kids? I had a hard time staying engaged with this because the plot moved slow. Also the writing in the diary was basically like reading the town gossip from a 12 year olds perspective.

I was initially drawn to this one for its title, I felt like it was so powerful and bold that I knew it had to be a good read. From the first page to the last, I found myself drawn deeper into the mystery, eager to uncover the truth behind the chilling crime. It is such an enthralling narrative with such tender moments, heartbreaking decisions and beautifully imperfect characters. I absolutely loved this book and I am looking forward to reading more by Lo Patrick.

This was so sweet and wholesome! I loved reading this one as an ebook. I loved it for a deep, heartfelt read. 4.5 from me.

I love a small town whodunnit mystery. There were several times I thought I had it all figured out but I was wrong,

The author does a good job of giving character background. I could understand the connection of the people.

The story was a bit slow paced for me but overall it was enjoyable. I think a person that enjoys a book about a murder mystery without many details of the actual murder would enjoy this.

I have purchased another book by this author and I am very much looking forward to starting it.

This was a good book, my first one by this author, though I found that it dragged at times it still held my interest. Arlene has lived her whole life in a small town in Georgia and is married to her high school sweetheart, they are trying for a baby, though Arlene has miscarried once and is still mourning that loss. To keep her mind active, she takes a job at the local police station bagging evidence, a job that takes all of 10-15 mins a day. She finds a number of old files in the basement where she works and receives permission to read through them. One of them is a cold case involving 3 children found murdered by the bank of a river, the main suspect, who was married to their sister, killed himself a few days later. As Arlene is reading through the file she begins to think she can solve it and resolves to start her own detective agency. She starts by recruiting the female detective that had previously worked the case and the receptionist for the police station. Together they go back over the file and decide to speak to those that were involved in the case. The file included a diary, the sister of the fellow who killed himself, though several crucial pages are missing. This quirky trio works well together at times, other times not so good, Arlene's husband is the town drunk and she has to bail him out and deal with his antics. Overall an interesting story well told, just a bit slow at times. I would recommend. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.

The Night the River Wept is a fantastic book. Arlene was a typical housewife with a lot of time on her hands. Her biggest dream was to become pregnant. Unfortunately it wasn't in the cards. Her husband Tommy was a very successful business man and made god money. Arlene became board and on a whim applied for a job in the towns police station. Unexpectedly she got TBE job. It was menial and paid very little. The job wasn't about the money. There was a very strange woman who worked with her named Ronna. The Chief was a playboy type who cheated on his wife. Arlene's job was tagging and logging in evidence which took her very little time. She noticed there were unsolved cases. One caught her attention and she remembered reading about it. She asked the chief's permission to read the files which she got approved. The murder mystery involved 3 young boys from the wrong side of the tracks and dirt poor. It turned out Ronna lived there and knew the whole story. Also, a lady named Allaina who was a previous employee also knew the story and the people involved in the murder. I couldn't put this book down and look forward to reading more of Lo Patrick's books! I received this book free from NetGalley and gave my honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this book to read. This read too much like other mysteries that I’ve read over the years and I wasn’t a fan it also moved at an extremely slow pace.