On Harrow Hill

On Harrow Hill is possibly the most captivating book yet in the Dave Burney series. A complex, scary, and compelling mystery about the murder of a wealthy and powerful man in a small very upscale community, rivals anything John Verden has written in this exceptional series. Thriller, murder mystery, and downright eerie, this is a winner!

Another in this series that has captured my interest  and held it till the end. The plot is very good, with Great characters and a lot of suspense.. Throughout the series the author has made me feel that I really know and understand Dave Gurney. He has shown his persistence many times, and I like the way he never gives up. It would be a good read alone but I suggest that reading the series adds to the depth of the story.

It's hard to believe On Harrow Hill is already the 6th entry in the dazzling 'Dave Gurney' series by John Verdon. Thankfully, for readers, the author has been prolific in the decade since this character became a welcomed addition to the world of detective fiction. The cases Gurney handles have always been complex and none more so than depicted in this latest novel. The events which take place in Larchfield almost defy belief. Witches, Satanists. Zombie Hunters. An apocalyptic preacher. A murderer from beyond the grave. It's an explosive mix which threatens to consume Gurney. It's an enthralling read. It left me looking forward to the next Dave Gurney book. Thank you to Counterpoint Press and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy. #OnHarrowHill #NetGalley

When an old colleague comes to him for help solving the mysterious death of his town's most prominent resident, retired NYPD detective Dave Gurney must use all of his analytical skills to hunt a murderer who just might be killing from beyond the grave.
I have been a huge fan of the Dave Gurney series and waited a long time for this. It was well worth the wait. He is such a complex and compelling character and the plotting in all the books is incredibly tight. Full of surprises and a bit of violence, this book twisted and turned all the way to the end. I really hope the next in this amazing series comes much sooner. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review

Dave Gurney, a modern day Sherlock, is back for his latest investigations from it’s a doozy. 
Billy Tate, a bad seed with a worse reputation, is struck by lightning and thrown from the roof an upstate New York church. Pronounced dead on the scene, imagine everyone’s surprise when one Billy Tate is caught on camera rising from the dead at the village funeral home. 
Rising from the dead isn’t Tate’s last trick as now he turns his efforts to murdering the town’s wealthiest citizen and leaving a trail of destruction in his path a mile wide. 

Dave Gurney, John Verdon’s think-first, speak-last detective is called in to assist. And from there, we’re off to the races in a fun, thrilling, and complex mystery. Before things are said and done, you’ll have suspected every one in the town of some sort of shady business. 

Verdon began the Gurney series with some really great mystery hooks with the focus being on the genius of the villains and the wits they matched with Gurney. However, the most recent novels have flexed a more real-world, politically bent muscle. The preceding book, White River Burning, race relations played an important thread throughout. This time he takes on class divides, religious zealotry, and angry mob justice. 
The great thing about Verdon’s writing is that you can ignore those underlying themes and just enjoy the mystery as Gurney tracks down his perp or you can really sink your teeth into the messages being hinted. Either way is fine, but the heavier themes never big down the story or the action. 
The police procedural game is in great hands with guys like Michael Connelly and John Verdon in mix. I rate this one a must-read for any mystery/thriller fan.

On Harrow Hill by John Verdon -- 5 Stars
Publisher: Counterpoint Press 
ISBN: 9781640093102 

In a small community in upper New York state, a problem resident is struck by lightning and pronounced dead. He appears to have reanimated, killed several people, and left satanic signs and messages painted in blood. The town sheriff, who has his own personal issues, calls on his former NYPD partner, Dave Gurney, for help.

The plot is complex. There are witches, zombie hunters, a zealot who preaches guns and religion, and some sociopathic rich people among the characters. Gurney puts together all the pieces and sorts through the tangled events to eventually uncover the truth just after you think he had about 15% before the ene.

On Harrow Hill is much more than an ordinary police procedural. The twisted intelligent plot and unique characters make it stand out from others in the mystery category. I look forward to reading more books in the Dave Gurney series.
  

Reviewer: Nancy

I would like to thank NetGalley for my eARC for my honest review.  The seventh Dave Gurney already, I miss the tension between Dave and his wife, for me it was an important part and was like a second story within each mystery.  On Harrow Hill is yet another wonderful, well paced mystery, that continues to make this a series I will go back too. Like an old friend.

Dave Guerney is one of my favorite detectives. He is teaching at a local college when he gets a call from his old NYPD partner who is now a police chief on a small town. There has been a murder of the towns wealthy benefactor and he needs Dave’s’ help. Although he is reluctant to get involved, he is drawn in to repay a debt. 
The main suspect is Billy Tate a local man who had been pronounced dead two days before the killing. However it seems as though he may not have been dead when a video shows him break out of his coffin and escape to commit more murders. As the media descends and stokes up sensational stories of zombies and devil worshippers, the town is on edge. This problem is fertile ground for a local religious fundamentalist group to stir up fears of end of days led by a motorcycle riding preacher named Gant and his crew. 
As Guerney begins investigating he forgets the lessons that he teaches in his class of maintaining a skepticism of evidence presented without verification. And almost  everyone in this small town has something to hide. 
I have loved this series since the very first,while this can be read in its own, there are several references to the previous book “ White River Burning”. I also think to understand the relationship and uniqueness of Guerney’s wife Madeline you should read the other books. I find her a fascinating character and would love to read a book that explores her thoughts more. We should all have a friend like Hardwick as well and a book of his backstory would be a good addition as well. 
While this was not my favorite of his series, it is still very enjoyable and fast paced.

On Harrow Hill – John Verdon

Dave Gurney, a highly decorated detective now retired from the NYPD, is has just finished giving a lecture to a bunch of cadets when he receives a phone call.  An old partner, and one he owes a debt to, has just called, wanting to connect with him and discuss an unusual case. Somewhat reluctantly, Dave agrees to a quick meeting with Mike Morgan.  When Mike arrives at Dave’s Walnut Creek home, he details some rather unusual events that have taken place in the town of Larchfield where he, much to Dave’s surprise, is their chief of police.  The tale, tall at best, has culminated in the murder of a very wealthy individual, with the only prints left behind appearing to belong to the town bad boy, Billy Tate.  The only problem - Billy is dead – due to a freak accident a day before the murder. Somewhat reluctantly, but a bit intrigued, Dave agrees to take a look….

Upon his arrival to Larchfield, Dave sees a picturesque town that is essentially owned and run by the wealthy patriarchs who reside there, one of whom, Angus Russell, is now deceased. The evidence clearly points to a young man, who died after being struck by lightning while defacing the towns church steeple. But when they attempt to verify the ID of the body in the coffin at the funeral home, they discover an empty box, with a lid that was broken out of……and video showing the apparent resurrection of the young man. 

As Dave and the Larchfield Police search for an apparent ghost, more sightings of the formerly deceased Billy Tate are reported, along with his trademark orange Jeep, as he leaves a wake of victims in his path, along with an eerie calling card, painted in a victim’s blood that reads, ‘I am the dark angel who rose from the dead’. But what is Tate’s real objective? And how could he have possibly survived a lightning strike and a fall?  Looking for more insight into the town and its people, Gurney calls upon a crusty but dependable old friend, Jack Hardwick. 

As the investigation heats up, and a town is gripped in fear wondering who is next, Gurney quietly works in the background, asking questions, perusing crime scene video and amassing information as he slowly puts the pieces together that others don’t seem to see…until a quiet plan to draw out a murderer results in a showdown that even Gurney doesn’t see coming….

This is the seventh novel in the Dave Gurney series, and another stellar read! John Verdon reminds me a lot of Jeffrey Deaver with his character development, with the intricate storylines and intriguing personalities of his characters, along with the sheer brilliance of the unexpected as you race page by page to try to beat Dave to the finish line – but you won’t! He’ll outfox you every time!!  A great series and a must read if you’d like a break from the predictable who-dun-it!!  

I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an objective review.  Do you love to read?? Visit netgalley.com and start reviewing books today!!