Title: The Slow Road to Hell
Author: Grant Atherton
Publisher: Self-Published/Kindle Unlimited
Length: 235 Pages
Category: Mystery/Suspense
At a Glance: Grant Atherton is an author I’m going to watch out for. He is an amazing writer, and I hope there is a sequel to The Slow Road to Hell coming soon, as this was a real page turner for me.
Reviewed By: Maryann
Blurb: Forensic Psychologist Michael MacGregor returns to his old home town when his estranged father, the local priest, is murdered in the first of a series of killings. Nathan Quarryman, the lover he walked out on years before and now the local Chief of Police, is tasked with investigating the crimes. The two men must find a way to settle their differences, repair their broken relationship, and work together to bring the killer to justice.
Review: Mikey MacGregor couldn’t deal with being judged by his staunchly religious father anymore, so he left Elders Edge, and in doing so, left behind his best friends, Karen and Nathan, without an explanation. As time passed, Mikey became well known for not only his radio show but his expertise in forensic psychology as well. But even with his popularity, Mikey has made some questionable choices and has never truly been himself.
Mikey has kept in touch with Karen, and he’s lucky to still have her as a best friend. She’s kept tabs on Owen MacGregor, Mikey’s father, but some time has passed since Karen has seen Owen, so she calls Mikey to let him know. Mikey reluctantly returns to his childhood home only to discover that his father has passed away. But what appears to be a death from natural causes turns out to be murder, and Mikey becomes a suspect.
Nathan Quarryman is now the Detective Chief Inspector in Charwell. As the murder becomes his priority, he comes face-to-face with Mikey, and although Nathan says he’s moved on, he still has never forgiven Mikey for leaving. Nathan is cold, hostile and treats Mikey like a stranger. Between the press and harsh words from Nathan, Mikey decides to take a stand and out himself. As Nathan and Mikey gradually start to make somewhat of an amends, murders continue to occur, and Nathan feels it has something to do with Mikey.
The Slow Road to Hell is an excellent murder mystery with a variety of suspects which makes it difficult to even guess the reasoning behind the murders, let alone who the guilty party is. In the midst of the murders and the drama, there’s also a love affair between Karen and Sergeant Richard Lowe that offers a bright side to contrast the seriousness of the storyline. The plot is well constructed with twists and turns, and it never takes a back seat to the drama of Mikey and Nathan’s estrangement and reconciliation. I’ve read this book twice now, and the drama and emotion of Mikey’s upbringing and the destruction of his relationship with Nathan still pack a punch. It becomes even more heartbreaking when Mikey tries to right his wrongs and finds that Nathan hasn’t been truthful with him as they’ve worked to repair their relationship.
Grant Atherton is an author I’m going to watch out for. He is an amazing writer, and I hope there is a sequel to The Slow Road to Hell coming soon, as this was a real page turner for me. We aren’t left with a solid HEA, and I’m not sure there will be one, but I want to see what happens with Mikey and Nathan.
You can buy The Slow Road to Hell here:
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