What readers think of When These Mountains Burn, plus links to write your own review.

I enjoy books by David Joy due to their grit and salt of the earth presentation. The blatant in-your-face, no-holds-barred story telling. Stories told clear and precise. Joy tells stories that other authors placate and tell through assumptions and overtures and by hinting at what is really happening. Even the main characters in one of Joy's novels are not usually brought to light by other authors - a section of the population that seems too forbidden to write about. Joy takes on the challenge and always comes out a winner.

I will admit that I have liked the rest of the books I have read by Joy more than I did this one. It was not due to the writing or the topic - both of those were standard Joy - but it took me longer to get into this book than normal. I was unclear exactly what this book was about for a considerable amount of time and I think that hesitation broke down some of the enjoyment I find in reading Joy's books.

As in the biggest of cities, the same drug problems exist way back in the foothills. Whether you come from wealth or poverty the drug epidemic is alive and thriving. This book gives us the knowledge of, the reactions to, and the consequences of three men involved with this epidemic. One is a man on drugs, one is the father of a man on drugs and one is the law, trying to quell the distribution of these drugs. All three face legal and illegal actions stemming from their interaction with each other.

As I said, gritty and in your face, makes this a book not to miss.