Misery Plaza by J.J. Alo | Review
Misery Plaza will keep you reading until the very end, and then you'll wonder why there isn't more!
Synopsis
There’s no more country for old men like Joseph Griffin, notorious outlaw and murderer. With his life in hiding unexpectedly exposed, Griffin, now William Potter, flees with his children to the remote, quirky village of Missouri Plaza—a place where everyone has something to hide. Liars, thieves, and killers alike reside in their newfound haven, and Potter and his family face not only the looming threat of the law, but dangers much closer to home.
The discovery of a mysterious buried treasure tantalizes Potter with one final hope for escape. Yet riches aren’t the only thing he unearths in his backyard. As the unflinching horrors of Missouri Plaza close in on him, Potter must confront his past and protect his family while evading capture or worse at the hands of a relentless bounty hunter, the U.S. Cavalry, and a creature far older and deadlier than he could ever imagine.
The follow-up to the award-winning novel, The Street Between the Pines.
My Review
If you have followed my reviews, then you know I am a big fan of J.J. Alo. And I'm pleased that this follow up to The Street Between the Pines does not change that fact.
The opening pages spark interest, a tantalizing prologue that creates a host of questions in a way that made me want answers. As did the testimony of the main character's daughter. Then it just upended any speculation I had.
Mr. Alo does an amazing job in the creation of his characters. Even from the get-go, the cast of Misery Plaza feel real, like people in your community. If your community lived in the wild, wild west. From the main character, Sullivan, who later changes his name to Potter, to his young children and everyone they meet in Missouri Plaza, there is depth to each one.
Flawed? Check.
Human? Check!
Raw emotional turmoil? Absolutely.
But this story? Excellent execution. It moved smoothly between scenes, only jarring (and intentionally so!) when flashbacks, bad dreams or dark memories hit. And they hit hard. The Potter family don't even make it to their new home without violence, and it just builds from there.
As they begin a new life in a new place with new names, their new home sweet home opens up a mystery far larger than the secrets beneath the house or the tuft of fur Potter discovers at his new job. Piece by piece, Alo builds the tension, dropping breadcrumbs like threads through the tapestry he's weaving. And I loved every moment of it.
Even though I knew this was a paranormal thriller and I love the author's storytelling, every book gives me a new level of joy. And not to give any spoilers but the thriller parts were thrilling! I love the level of detail embedded into each fight, and how the emotional escalation keeps up, continuing that anticipation, "omg, what's next!", and "oh, no!" with each held breath. I rooted for Potter throughout, even when his secrets were revealed.
You will not be disappointed by this book!
Huge thanks for another win, J.J. Alo. You have a lifetime fan in me!