The Riverman

Reviewed by: Patricia Temple - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 18, 2014

Review

This unnerving Mystery/Fantasy is told by two main characters, unreliable Fiona Loomis and naive, loyal Alistair Cleary, over the period of about 40 days in Oct./Nov. The reader is never on firm footing with what truly happened, what is innocently imagined and what is a lie. Fiona contacts classmate Alistair and asks him, with a sense of urgency, to write her biography. Alistair is reluctant, intrigued and infatuated in equal parts. As Fiona's story unfold the suspense and foreboding increase keeping the reader engaged in the mystery despite not quite trusting her narrative. Thought provoking with much material for discussion. Questions about loyalty, keeping secrets, lies, responsibility in friendships and false accusations would make this a good book club choice.

Overall Book Score: excellent