“Original. . . a carefully calibrated study of how even the most highly evolved members of our species can become feral under pressure.” —New York Times Book Review
“Kardos’ debut novel features finely drawn characters, clever plotting, a fine surprise ending, and graceful and economical storytelling.” —Booklist
“A taut thriller that goes least where you expect it to, but goes there beautifully.” —Tom Franklin, New York Times bestselling and Edgar-Award winning author of Crooked Letter
“A wonderful piece of literary suspense craftsmanship. Line by line, Michael Kardos dazzles with prose strength and style, and the bad-day-gone-worse story does not let up. . . A fascinating character study and engaging thriller.” —Michael Koryta, winner of the L.A. Times Book Prize and author of The Prophet
“An outstanding thriller that has everything: graceful prose, a terrific plot, unbearable suspense, great surprises, and an intelligent and sympathetic narrator who will break your heart. An absolutely first-rate effort from a debut author who, trust me, is going to be around for a long time.” —John Lescroart, New York Times bestselling author of The Hunter
“This first novel from storyteller Kardos leads three ordinary guys into a dark wood and turns the screws on them. An agonizing moral nightmare interspersed with flashbacks to happier times whose import becomes clear only in the final chapter.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A momentary lapse of judgment leads to dire consequences in Kardos’s excellent first novel, a crime thriller sure to please fans of Scott Smith’s A Simple Plan. . . . Kardos makes the most of his intriguing setup, populated with plausible characters and enhanced by a vicious closing sting.” —Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed review)
The Mysterious Press
