bit too southern gothic for me.
I was looking for primarily a mystery with a bit of the supernatural thrown in,
like baskervilles, this was more
American Horror story.
Well conceived, but not what I was looking for ( )

One of the things that I love about Piccirilli's books is the mood that he creates. The atmosphere and pacing comes across so quickly; you are practically breathing it in. All thanks to Piccirilli's poetic words. It's pulp noir poetry.

In this book, he channels that poetry through an ex-con who heads home to the Appalachian mountains. Shad Jenkins is finishing his two-year sentence in prison when he's visited by the ghost of his sister. After the confirming phone call from his father, Shad heads home with the very-clear intention of finding the killer and bringing him to justice. During his stumbling investigation, Shad discovers a new Moon Run Hollow. Not really a new town but one filtered through different eyes and a new perspective.

In my mind, that was the other half of NOVEMBER MOURNS. There is the primary story of Shad coming back to find a killer and avenge his sister. And then there is the "coming home as an adult" portion. After being gone for two years, Shad is seeing Moon Run Hollow differently. His visit stirs up the past, awakening old feelings, discovering things that weren't important previously. All while also realizing that his old life isn't right for him anymore. Unsure of what his new life would be, Shad must still get through the parts of his old life that are haunting him. He must get past the ghost of his sister. For us readers, it's that exploration of the story, the geography of the town and the past, that makes the book so enjoyable. The book was off-center at times but in a good way. Kind of Twilight Zone including a twist ending. I could attempt to summarize it as a loving, violent, tender, painful, haunting book; it wouldn't do the book justice though. Just go read it already and see what I am inadequately explaining. ( )