On an evening like any other, nine-year-old Katie Mackey, daughter of the most affluent family in a small town on the plains of Indiana, sets out on her bicycle to return some library books.
This simple act is at the heart of The Bright Forever, a suspenseful, deeply affecting novel about the choices people make that change their lives forever. Keeping fact, speculation, and contradiction playing off one another as the details unfold, author Lee Martin creates a fast-paced story that is as gripping as it is richly human. His beautiful, clear-eyed prose builds to an extremely nuanced portrayal of the complicated give and take among people struggling to maintain their humanity in the shadow of a loss.
Reminiscent of books such as The Little Friend and The Lovely Bones, but most memorable for its own perceptions and power, The Bright Forever is a compelling and emotional tale about the human need to know even the hardest truth.
A Featured Alternate of the Literary Guild, Doubleday Book Club, and Book-of-the-Month Club
Also available as a Books on Tape AudioBook and an eBook
Bravo for Lee Martin. This is a wonderful, frightening and vivid study of a host of characters as real and twisted as any of our neighbors might be. Beautifully crafted, rich in its simplicity and a downright page-turner. Loved it. Highly recommend.
This book kept me compelled due to the mystery lover in me. Although the subject matter is tragic, you just wanted to know what happened to Katie! I have to say this book seemed more of a thriller than anything to me, I was constantly wondering who did it?? Who was lying?? Who was hiding something?? I actually got scared thinking there are peoeple like Mr. Dees and Ray in this world. I felt there were some loose ends at the end of the book, but, this book is good for a rainy day and it's a quick read. However, I do feel the author could have gone the extra length and really strengthened this book.
Couldn't put it down! Multi-character voiced, in a who-done-it, is filled with suspense, drama, and a look at small town USA in the 70's. You will want to be part or Katie's disappearance!
