Descent (Johnston) - Book Reviews

Book Reviews
Johnston's descriptive prose attains a level of visceral brio…While the author periodically checks in on Caitlin's desperate plight, it's the men—bullies and stymied heroes alike—who power this engulfing thriller-cum-western, which is at its most potent in the adversarial banter of a couple of guys, sniffing around each other like pit bulls
Jan Stuart - New York Times


I’ve read many variations on this theme, some quite good, but never one as powerful as Tim Johnston’s Descent.... The story unfolds brilliantly, always surprisingly, but the glory of Descent lies not in its plot but in the quality of the writing. The magic of his prose equals the horror of Johnston’s story; each somehow enhances the other.... Read this astonishing novel. It’s the best of both worlds.
Washington Post


This is much more than your typical thriller. Tim Johnston has written a book that makes Gone Girl seem gimmicky.... Johnston is an excellent writer. You want to set this one down so you can take a breath, and keep reading--all at the same time.
Alan Cheuse - NPR


[A] twisty thriller about a family grappling with loss
Oprah Magazine


Outstanding ... The days when you had to choose between a great story and a great piece of writing? Gone.
Esquire


An original and psychologically deep thriller.
Outside Magazine


(Starred review.) Johnston has a poet’s eye for the majestic and forbidding nature of the Rockies, and a sociologist’s understanding of how people act under pressure. He also has a knack for creating characters that the reader will come to care about.... Combining domestic drama with wilderness adventure, Johnston has created a hybrid novel that is as emotionally satisfying as it is viscerally exciting.
Publishers Weekly


Johnston tracks the dissolution of a family following the disappearance of the teenage daughter during a Colorado vacation.... Neither Grant nor Sean—Angela barely registers for the reader—makes for a compelling lead character, both laconic to the point of annoyance, and while Caitlin's ordeal is chilling, it's not enough to buoy this overwritten yet occasionally poignant tale.
Kirkus Reviews