the setup…
Four men battle the swollen Mississippi River to save a family trapped in their ancestral home by a flood, the likes of which have never been seen before. It’s 1927 and three of the men in the rowboat are convicts, one a trustee, loaned from the local prison for this mission. However, once they reach Ballymore, the four remaining residents of the home don’t want to leave because the owner believes the levee he built will hold. The others are staying out of loyalty to him or his daughter. It becomes a struggle between man and nature, in more ways than one, when they work to strengthen the compromised levee against the power of the river.
the heart of the story…
As you can imagine, not everyone shares the same motivations and objectives, especially those prisoners. Human nature rises up along with the flood waters and things get even more perilous. It may be a short story but it’s one where I got a strong sense about each character, his or her backstory and what propelled them in this situation. The effort to shore up the levee was highly interesting but I found the people equally as captivating. I couldn’t wait to find out if that levee would hold as well as what the future would hold for these people.
the narration…
I’m so used to David Chandler narrating a Krueger story but Jackson was perfect for this one. He gave strong definition to each character and is an excellent storyteller. He delivered an outstanding performance.
the bottom line…
This isn’t your typical man versus nature story as there’s so much more going on with each participant that become significant factors. I listened to it in one sitting and it left an indelible impression. I highly recommend that you listen to the author’s comments at the end because it provides relevant context. It’s a story I loved and won’t soon forget.
Book Info
- Release Date: February 28, 2023
- Narrator: JD Jackson
- Audio Length: 3 hours, 36 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Originals
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(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Blue Mood Café 
This does sound like an unforgettable story. (But I have to admit it reminds me of that joke about the man who was stranded on his roof during a flood and he asked God to save him.). I’m sure the story is so moving that it would instantly make me forget that joke though. Excellent review!
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Thanks, Tessa💜 Oh, I know that story! Yes, you’d quickly forget it, just in the first chapter.
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It sounds like a tense listen Jo, glad you enjoyed it!
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Thanks, Nicki💜 You’d be right!
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I’ll have to come back after I listen. I’m excited to read it.
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You’re going to love it, Anne💜
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Amazing review, Jo. I know how much you love Krueger’s books. I have only read one, but I want to read or listen to more and this one sounds like a great choice.
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Thank you, Carla💜 I can’t emphasize strongly enough how much I think you’d love his Cork O’Connor series, set in Minnesota near the Canadian border. He’s a masterful writer.
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I have them on my blog recommendation shelf and definitely want to read or listen to them. I just need to keep my trigger finger in check when I visit Netgalley.
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His books are extraordinary, always a pleasure to read. Your review is wonderful and says it all.
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Thank you, Marialyce💜 We have a shared live of this author.
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Wonderful review! I love his writing.
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Thank you, Diana💜 So do I!
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Excellent review. Everything WKK is amazing.
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Thank you, Anne💜 Completely agree!
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