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Johnny Merrimon #2
The Hush
The only writer in history to win consecutive Edgar Awards for Best Novel, New York Times bestselling author John Hart returns to the world of his most beloved novel, The Last Child
Building on the world first seen in The Last Child (“A magnificent creation� �The Washington Post), John Hart delivers a stunning vision of a secret world, rarely seen.
It’s been ten years since the events that changed Johnny Merrimon’s life and rocked his hometown to the core. Since then, Johnny has fought to maintain his privacy, but books have been written of his exploits; the fascination remains. Living alone on six thousand acres of once-sacred land, Johnny’s only connection to normal life is his old friend, Jack. They’re not boys anymore, but the bonds remain. What they shared. What they lost.
But Jack sees danger in the wild places Johnny calls home; he senses darkness and hunger, an intractable intent. Johnny will discuss none of it, but there are the things he knows, the things he can do. A lesser friend might accept such abilities as a gift, but Jack has felt what moves in the swamp: the cold of it, the unspeakable fear.
More than an exploration of friendship, persistence, and forgotten power, The Hush leaves all categories behind, and cements Hart's status as a writer of unique power.
Building on the world first seen in The Last Child (“A magnificent creation� �The Washington Post), John Hart delivers a stunning vision of a secret world, rarely seen.
It’s been ten years since the events that changed Johnny Merrimon’s life and rocked his hometown to the core. Since then, Johnny has fought to maintain his privacy, but books have been written of his exploits; the fascination remains. Living alone on six thousand acres of once-sacred land, Johnny’s only connection to normal life is his old friend, Jack. They’re not boys anymore, but the bonds remain. What they shared. What they lost.
But Jack sees danger in the wild places Johnny calls home; he senses darkness and hunger, an intractable intent. Johnny will discuss none of it, but there are the things he knows, the things he can do. A lesser friend might accept such abilities as a gift, but Jack has felt what moves in the swamp: the cold of it, the unspeakable fear.
More than an exploration of friendship, persistence, and forgotten power, The Hush leaves all categories behind, and cements Hart's status as a writer of unique power.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published February 27, 2018
1,336 people are currently reading
8,608 people want to read
About the author
John Hart
43books3,546followersJOHN HART is the author of six New York Times bestsellers, and of THE UNWILLING, which will be released on February 2, 2021. The only author in history to win the best novel Edgar Award for consecutive novels, Hart has also won the Barry Award, the Southern Independent Bookseller’s Award for Fiction, the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award and the North Carolina Award for Literature. His novels have been translated into thirty language and can be found in over seventy countries. “My only real dream,� John declares, “has been to write well and to be published well.�
He lives in Virginia with his wife, two daughters, and four dogs.
There is more than one author by this name on ŷ.
He lives in Virginia with his wife, two daughters, and four dogs.
There is more than one author by this name on ŷ.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,110 reviews
November 21, 2017
If, like me, you were completely enamored with Johnny and Jack from , here’s your chance to find out where time and space has landed the childhood friends. Be warned though, this might not be what you had in mind when you thought about a follow-up.
From the suspense driven whodunnit of , to a mystery swathed in magical realism, it’s safe to say, took a bit of a risk with . If you’re not a reader that suspends disbelief easily—hello, that’s me!—this might not work for you. Missing was the frantic page turning frenzy his writing usually incites; replaced instead by this mantra, “keep an open mind . . . keep an open mind . . . keep an open mind.� That’s never a good sign, am I right?
Hush Arbor or �6,000 acres of dense woods, swamp, rocky terrain, creatures and spookiness—is known for having a bit of a shady history. Once belonging to Johnny's ancestors, but ultimately signed over to a group of freed slaves, the land reverted back to Johnny on a technicality after the death of one of the pivotal characters from .
Something about Hush Arbor captured Johnny’s heart immediately and he chose to become a hermit of sorts, living in a desolate cabin and watching over his property from a ancient tree. People that step foot on the land experience a host of things—weightiness, the sense of being watched, hours unaccounted for, disorientation and for some, it costs them the ultimate price. Unearthing what transpired between Johnny’s ancestors and the slaves is ultimately the mystery that drives the story. Who or what are the strange beings that now inhabit the land and torture the visitors? Again, not a storyline that got my blood pumping. In fact, the last 25% of the story was sort of torturous. Ludicrous. Pointless. Blah. You pick the adjective.
While this is technically a follow-up, in no way is required reading beforehand. In fact, although most of the characters are present and accounted for, so much time has passed between the two stories—there’s a 10 year gap in the timeline—they’re almost unrecognizable, along with the writing itself. It’s like starting all over with a new cast and maybe even a new author.
*A big thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
From the suspense driven whodunnit of , to a mystery swathed in magical realism, it’s safe to say, took a bit of a risk with . If you’re not a reader that suspends disbelief easily—hello, that’s me!—this might not work for you. Missing was the frantic page turning frenzy his writing usually incites; replaced instead by this mantra, “keep an open mind . . . keep an open mind . . . keep an open mind.� That’s never a good sign, am I right?
Hush Arbor or �6,000 acres of dense woods, swamp, rocky terrain, creatures and spookiness—is known for having a bit of a shady history. Once belonging to Johnny's ancestors, but ultimately signed over to a group of freed slaves, the land reverted back to Johnny on a technicality after the death of one of the pivotal characters from .
Something about Hush Arbor captured Johnny’s heart immediately and he chose to become a hermit of sorts, living in a desolate cabin and watching over his property from a ancient tree. People that step foot on the land experience a host of things—weightiness, the sense of being watched, hours unaccounted for, disorientation and for some, it costs them the ultimate price. Unearthing what transpired between Johnny’s ancestors and the slaves is ultimately the mystery that drives the story. Who or what are the strange beings that now inhabit the land and torture the visitors? Again, not a storyline that got my blood pumping. In fact, the last 25% of the story was sort of torturous. Ludicrous. Pointless. Blah. You pick the adjective.
While this is technically a follow-up, in no way is required reading beforehand. In fact, although most of the characters are present and accounted for, so much time has passed between the two stories—there’s a 10 year gap in the timeline—they’re almost unrecognizable, along with the writing itself. It’s like starting all over with a new cast and maybe even a new author.
*A big thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2017
4.5 Ten years have passed since the last time readers heard from John Merriman and Jack. John now as an adult lives a solitary life in a cabin he built, on the land he loves. He sees few, but he and Jack are still best friends. Some people find him strange and dangerous, for others he holds almost a mythical reputation.
The Hush is a place like no other. Things happen here that can not be explained, and many have lost their minds, their lives, or both trying to walk through this land. For Johnny it is a place of magic, things he can see and feel, things that don't seem right, but mean home to him. But his land is in danger, legally and out worldly ,there are people that want the power for themselves. The Hush has seen gross injustice, terrible deaths and a great love that unleashes a powerful persona. Can a place like this really exist? A great mix of people and their motives in this novel as well.
Much belief must be put aside when reading this. It won me over because it was the nature of the book, the legend of the place and the experiences of the characters within this book. It was true to the story. There is violence, strange experiences, but the writing for the most part I found very powerful.
I was pulled into the story, skepticism and all. Does some land contain traces of past violence, I believe it can, that some places have the ability to reach out to the present, whether with just uneasy feelings, or strange sightings. This writer has the amazing ability to take me to places I've never been, to fully enter this strange world he has concocted. It is also a novel about a great friendship and a family's unconditional love.
When I am truly immersed in a book, loving what I'm reading I try to make it last as long as possible. Force myself to put it down and read something else, which is what I did with this book. This is why I am giving it five stars. All may not feel this way and I can understand that too, as I said reality must be suspended. The ending I did think may have been somewhat over the top, but it does provide explanations and closure.
ARC from Edelweiss.
The Hush is a place like no other. Things happen here that can not be explained, and many have lost their minds, their lives, or both trying to walk through this land. For Johnny it is a place of magic, things he can see and feel, things that don't seem right, but mean home to him. But his land is in danger, legally and out worldly ,there are people that want the power for themselves. The Hush has seen gross injustice, terrible deaths and a great love that unleashes a powerful persona. Can a place like this really exist? A great mix of people and their motives in this novel as well.
Much belief must be put aside when reading this. It won me over because it was the nature of the book, the legend of the place and the experiences of the characters within this book. It was true to the story. There is violence, strange experiences, but the writing for the most part I found very powerful.
I was pulled into the story, skepticism and all. Does some land contain traces of past violence, I believe it can, that some places have the ability to reach out to the present, whether with just uneasy feelings, or strange sightings. This writer has the amazing ability to take me to places I've never been, to fully enter this strange world he has concocted. It is also a novel about a great friendship and a family's unconditional love.
When I am truly immersed in a book, loving what I'm reading I try to make it last as long as possible. Force myself to put it down and read something else, which is what I did with this book. This is why I am giving it five stars. All may not feel this way and I can understand that too, as I said reality must be suspended. The ending I did think may have been somewhat over the top, but it does provide explanations and closure.
ARC from Edelweiss.
November 18, 2017
4.5
Ok y’all, Johnny and Jack are back! Ten years have passed since the tragedies in The Last Child, and their bond of friendship is as tight as ever. Jack is now a lawyer and Johnny owns a lot of land left to him from his fathers side and within that land is The Hush where he lives his solitary life in a small cabin. Sinister things happen here due to events of the past! Very very sinister things!
John Hart never disappoints! Such a great storyteller!
Digital galley from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press!
Ok y’all, Johnny and Jack are back! Ten years have passed since the tragedies in The Last Child, and their bond of friendship is as tight as ever. Jack is now a lawyer and Johnny owns a lot of land left to him from his fathers side and within that land is The Hush where he lives his solitary life in a small cabin. Sinister things happen here due to events of the past! Very very sinister things!
John Hart never disappoints! Such a great storyteller!
Digital galley from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press!
March 20, 2018
Hush reader - don't say a word. I wish I could tell you don't be afraid, but I can't. You should be.
Hart delivers an undeniable, intriguing sequel to . Johnny's story continues as does his relationship with his childhood best friend, Jack. There is a lot of land at stake but what's on the land is what makes it invaluable, haunting and frightening. This land, Hush Arbor, was a land where slaves died and Johnny's ancestors owned. Johnny lives on this land now and when Jack visits, he senses something amiss in Johnny. The black pupils; the distant look; the sleepwalking; the cold chill that accompanies the unknown. And the fear.
There is some black magic happening here and history and secrets of the past are revealed.
Mystical realism isn't usually my thing, but it was done well if not a little over the top. I think Hart took a chance but I'm biased and still adore him. He cast a spell over me. 4⭐️
Hart delivers an undeniable, intriguing sequel to . Johnny's story continues as does his relationship with his childhood best friend, Jack. There is a lot of land at stake but what's on the land is what makes it invaluable, haunting and frightening. This land, Hush Arbor, was a land where slaves died and Johnny's ancestors owned. Johnny lives on this land now and when Jack visits, he senses something amiss in Johnny. The black pupils; the distant look; the sleepwalking; the cold chill that accompanies the unknown. And the fear.
There is some black magic happening here and history and secrets of the past are revealed.
Mystical realism isn't usually my thing, but it was done well if not a little over the top. I think Hart took a chance but I'm biased and still adore him. He cast a spell over me. 4⭐️
February 28, 2018
The Hush is now available!
I am slow to read synopses. I often skip them, or at the least, forget them once I pick up a book. I rely on authors I love, reviews from friends, and sometimes I can't resist a pretty cover! In this case, John Hart. Completely John Hart.
I fell hard for The Last Child when I read it a couple weeks back. It was just about the perfect book in my mind. The characters, Johnny and Jack, I don't think I've ever "met" two more devoted friends. Their poignant vulnerability twisted my heart. When I had the chance to read The Hush, I jumped at it; when I was approved, I felt like I had hit the Netgalley jackpot!
But here's the thing. The Hush is a continuation of Jack and Johnny's lives as adults; however, the book has a completely different feel than The Last Child almost from the start. Where TLC was a suspenseful mystery with well-developed, vividly drawn, corporeal characters, The Hush takes on a more supernatural, magical, earthy, a little out-there feel.
So all of this to say, I wish I had gone in to The Hush with a completely open mind. I wish I hadn't had expectations based on the wondrous experience I had reading The Last Child. I wish that the supernatural-ness hadn't bothered me a little because at times I found it hard-to-follow. But all the same, I am grateful to have gotten an update on Jack and Johnny. I have high hopes that this won't be the last we see of these noteworthy friends.
This was a Traveling Sisters' read/discussion, and what an interesting and magical discussion we had! For this and other wonderful reviews, please check out the Traveling Sisters' blog:
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, John Hart, and Netgalley for the complimentary copy.
I am slow to read synopses. I often skip them, or at the least, forget them once I pick up a book. I rely on authors I love, reviews from friends, and sometimes I can't resist a pretty cover! In this case, John Hart. Completely John Hart.
I fell hard for The Last Child when I read it a couple weeks back. It was just about the perfect book in my mind. The characters, Johnny and Jack, I don't think I've ever "met" two more devoted friends. Their poignant vulnerability twisted my heart. When I had the chance to read The Hush, I jumped at it; when I was approved, I felt like I had hit the Netgalley jackpot!
But here's the thing. The Hush is a continuation of Jack and Johnny's lives as adults; however, the book has a completely different feel than The Last Child almost from the start. Where TLC was a suspenseful mystery with well-developed, vividly drawn, corporeal characters, The Hush takes on a more supernatural, magical, earthy, a little out-there feel.
So all of this to say, I wish I had gone in to The Hush with a completely open mind. I wish I hadn't had expectations based on the wondrous experience I had reading The Last Child. I wish that the supernatural-ness hadn't bothered me a little because at times I found it hard-to-follow. But all the same, I am grateful to have gotten an update on Jack and Johnny. I have high hopes that this won't be the last we see of these noteworthy friends.
This was a Traveling Sisters' read/discussion, and what an interesting and magical discussion we had! For this and other wonderful reviews, please check out the Traveling Sisters' blog:
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, John Hart, and Netgalley for the complimentary copy.
December 5, 2017
Well, that was not what I was expecting.....but I really enjoyed it. I did not read "The Last Child" and found that this book worked well as a stand-alone novel for me. Although, I was not privy to the events of that book prior to reading this one, I felt the Author did a good job describing how close Johnny and Jack were and have been since childhood. How each feels a closeness and kinship with the other. Of course, there were references to events in the past, but I don't feel that not having knowledge of them affected my enjoyment of this book in any way.
Johnny Merrimon lives in a Cabin on the six thousand acres of land that he inherited from his father's side of the family. Johnny's ancestors owned the land which contained the swamp and rocky sections. A distant relative signed over the land to freed slaves and the land reverted to Johnny when the last male relative of the freed slave died. Johnny values his privacy and enjoys living off the land. One part of the land he owns is called "the Hush" and he is drawn to the Hush and seems at times to be attuned to it. He mainly comes into town for supplies and has been known to run off anyone who attempts to hunt or travel onto his land. Johnny knows this land has secrets and he is more than willing to protect those secrets even if he means keeping secrets from the people who care about him.
Jack Cross is an attorney and he enjoys attempting to sneak up on Johnny in the woods but Johnny always seems to sense him coming. Jack understands Johnny's desire for privacy, but he has concerns about the land and his friend's connection to it. Jack fears what he feels and what he observes of his friend's behavior in the swamp. He worries about his friend's safety and his mental status. Jack does not appear to feel the heaviness or other symptoms other's feel when they step foot on Johnny's land, but he does feel the eerie cold and senses danger.
I do not want to say much else about the plot as I don't want to give any spoilers. What I will say is that there is a magical/paranormal vibe to this book. I was not expecting this from John Hart. There is a whole other story going on here, but I don't want to give anything away except to say that Johnny is not the only character in the book with a connection to the land. There are others who are connected to land as well. Their stories are also told, and we see more of them as the plot unfolds.
Well written, eerie, dark and entertaining. I found this to be good story-telling. Sure, you have to suspend some disbelief, but the tale is a good one. I can see how this may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it worked for me.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at
Johnny Merrimon lives in a Cabin on the six thousand acres of land that he inherited from his father's side of the family. Johnny's ancestors owned the land which contained the swamp and rocky sections. A distant relative signed over the land to freed slaves and the land reverted to Johnny when the last male relative of the freed slave died. Johnny values his privacy and enjoys living off the land. One part of the land he owns is called "the Hush" and he is drawn to the Hush and seems at times to be attuned to it. He mainly comes into town for supplies and has been known to run off anyone who attempts to hunt or travel onto his land. Johnny knows this land has secrets and he is more than willing to protect those secrets even if he means keeping secrets from the people who care about him.
Jack Cross is an attorney and he enjoys attempting to sneak up on Johnny in the woods but Johnny always seems to sense him coming. Jack understands Johnny's desire for privacy, but he has concerns about the land and his friend's connection to it. Jack fears what he feels and what he observes of his friend's behavior in the swamp. He worries about his friend's safety and his mental status. Jack does not appear to feel the heaviness or other symptoms other's feel when they step foot on Johnny's land, but he does feel the eerie cold and senses danger.
I do not want to say much else about the plot as I don't want to give any spoilers. What I will say is that there is a magical/paranormal vibe to this book. I was not expecting this from John Hart. There is a whole other story going on here, but I don't want to give anything away except to say that Johnny is not the only character in the book with a connection to the land. There are others who are connected to land as well. Their stories are also told, and we see more of them as the plot unfolds.
Well written, eerie, dark and entertaining. I found this to be good story-telling. Sure, you have to suspend some disbelief, but the tale is a good one. I can see how this may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it worked for me.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at
November 24, 2017
I was so thrilled to get my hands on an advanced arc of John Hart's new novel! I loved The Last Child and could not wait to catch up with good ol Johnny and Jack.
The Hush is a little different then what I'm used to experiencing from John Hart. I would have to say he took a little bit of a risk with this one and jumped into a paranormal/magical suspense novelishhh?
I absolutely LOVE having a hint of magic in my novels... but I'm sorry to say that this was a little too much for my liking. The last 20-25 percent of the book I was pretty miserable. And that is SO HARD for me to say with John Hart. I just couldn't get past the supernatural aspect and was wondering to myself... is this really where Hart is taking this novel?!!! The ending..... I wasn't satisfied with it at all. I honestly was bummed and was expecting more from Hart :(.
The Hush is hinted to be a continuation from the Last Child but in no way do you need to read The Last Child beforehand. The Hush has a completely different feel and overall sense of tone/writing style. I would definitely go into this one with an open mind.... like super open mind haha.
But, I do have to say that John Hart is an incredible storyteller and I have been in awe with his talent. I may not have enjoyed this as much as I have his previous novels but again I look forward to what I see next from Hart ;).
This was a Traveling Sisters read/review. Please check out the Traveling Sisters' fantastic blog: ....
Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an advanced arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Hush is a little different then what I'm used to experiencing from John Hart. I would have to say he took a little bit of a risk with this one and jumped into a paranormal/magical suspense novelishhh?
I absolutely LOVE having a hint of magic in my novels... but I'm sorry to say that this was a little too much for my liking. The last 20-25 percent of the book I was pretty miserable. And that is SO HARD for me to say with John Hart. I just couldn't get past the supernatural aspect and was wondering to myself... is this really where Hart is taking this novel?!!! The ending..... I wasn't satisfied with it at all. I honestly was bummed and was expecting more from Hart :(.
The Hush is hinted to be a continuation from the Last Child but in no way do you need to read The Last Child beforehand. The Hush has a completely different feel and overall sense of tone/writing style. I would definitely go into this one with an open mind.... like super open mind haha.
But, I do have to say that John Hart is an incredible storyteller and I have been in awe with his talent. I may not have enjoyed this as much as I have his previous novels but again I look forward to what I see next from Hart ;).
This was a Traveling Sisters read/review. Please check out the Traveling Sisters' fantastic blog: ....
Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an advanced arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2017
3.5 stars 🌟
The Hush is the second book to John Hart’s The Last Child which we also did as a Sisters Read not too long ago. We read The Hush with three of our Traveling Sisters and we were all really excited to read it as we all absolutely loved The Last Child. We were so hoping that it would live up to all of our expectations but unfortunately we were somewhat disappointed as we didn’t think it had the same feel to it as The Last Child. It did work for some of us though but not as well for everyone. We didn’t expect the dark magic and the supernatural within the storyline but we all tried to have an open mind and just enjoy the story. I think for some of us if we would have read the synopsis or researched the book a little better we would have enjoyed it that much more as some of us really do love a little dark magic and the supernatural within the storyline. “I know I do, said Norma.�
THE HUSH by JOHN HART was an unexpected and attention demanding book that took us on a magical and mythical journey here into Johnny’s world of the Hush. There was definitely some need to suspend disbelief here and we really needed to focus on the story and accept the black magic and the supernatural as part of the storyline to make this one work. This was hard for some of us to do especially Brenda. Once some of us did accept it and we started to understand where the story was going, especially for me (Norma) then it was an enjoyable read. For Brenda she never did and was completely lost throughout this whole story.
We loved the relationship between Johnny and Jack and really would've liked to have seen that explored some more. We loved the way they protected and cared for each other and we could really feel their loyalty, friendship, and love that they had for one another giving the story a warm feeling.
The ending left some of us confused and we thought our discussion was really helpful and enjoyable as we worked out the ending amongst ourselves, pulling the story together for some of us especially Brenda.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and John Hart for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.
All of our Traveling Sisters Reviews can be found on our sister blog:
The Hush is the second book to John Hart’s The Last Child which we also did as a Sisters Read not too long ago. We read The Hush with three of our Traveling Sisters and we were all really excited to read it as we all absolutely loved The Last Child. We were so hoping that it would live up to all of our expectations but unfortunately we were somewhat disappointed as we didn’t think it had the same feel to it as The Last Child. It did work for some of us though but not as well for everyone. We didn’t expect the dark magic and the supernatural within the storyline but we all tried to have an open mind and just enjoy the story. I think for some of us if we would have read the synopsis or researched the book a little better we would have enjoyed it that much more as some of us really do love a little dark magic and the supernatural within the storyline. “I know I do, said Norma.�
THE HUSH by JOHN HART was an unexpected and attention demanding book that took us on a magical and mythical journey here into Johnny’s world of the Hush. There was definitely some need to suspend disbelief here and we really needed to focus on the story and accept the black magic and the supernatural as part of the storyline to make this one work. This was hard for some of us to do especially Brenda. Once some of us did accept it and we started to understand where the story was going, especially for me (Norma) then it was an enjoyable read. For Brenda she never did and was completely lost throughout this whole story.
We loved the relationship between Johnny and Jack and really would've liked to have seen that explored some more. We loved the way they protected and cared for each other and we could really feel their loyalty, friendship, and love that they had for one another giving the story a warm feeling.
The ending left some of us confused and we thought our discussion was really helpful and enjoyable as we worked out the ending amongst ourselves, pulling the story together for some of us especially Brenda.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and John Hart for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.
All of our Traveling Sisters Reviews can be found on our sister blog:
July 26, 2018
We did have a couple of glimpses into magical realism in . Remember the tree? The eagle? Remember Levi and how the doctor could not make sense of the X-rays? Just tiny glimpses, but they were there.
In The Hush, there is no avoiding magical realism. The story also moves into supernatural elements that challenge the majority of the key characters in this book � and many other secondary characters. Suspicions lead to superstitions lead to unexplainable supernatural phenomena.
For some people such as law enforcement and professional trackers, the desire is for known reality to take the bite out of fear of the unknown. This leads to more conflict, hardships, and even deaths.
There is a crossover in this novel into fantasy that I recognized from the days when I read that genre a lot. Instead of slipping a ring on a finger and disappearing into another world, () in this book it is as simple as walking into a vast swampland known as The Hush.
Whether The Hush allows entry or instead confuses trails and pathways and direction and terrain depends on who is going there. Since Johnny Merrimon lives within The Hush and has used gunfire to scare off intruders before, suspicion falls heavily on him when people start showing up dead. Even though, or possibly especially because it is Johnny who finds them and reports their deaths.
I had a bit of a problem with Johnny in this book. In The Last Child, what was endearing and brave for a 13-year-old becomes a tad annoying and irksome in a 23 or 24 year old. A pee contest with a Sheriff trying to get information was not helpful - even though Johnny knew the consequences and knew he would not handle those consequences well. Also, at one point Johnny was having far too much fun watching from a distance and chuckling as people were floundering in the swamp � lost, terrified, being eaten alive by mosquitoes and not knowing how to get out of there. I also questioned why he put up barriers between himself and Jack when it was obvious that of anyone Johnny knew, Jack would be the one to understand. These are minor irritants but I was hoping for a bit more nobleness of character from Johnny.
I do confess that although I am not a huge fan of magical realism nor of fantasy any more, those elements � and even the supernatural ones � were well done. This book would not have existed without those features because it was based on the histories of the families who came before (Johnny’s ancestors and their slaves) and how certain incidents and influences of those times tracked through decades to converge in the present � and why.
There is a lot of darkness in this book, and even though their friendship is tested severely, Johnny and his best friend Jack Cross (now a lawyer) add some light and hope.
I didn’t love this book but I also didn’t hate it. It was well-written (other than Johnny’s behaviors fairly early on) and full of suspense. For those who want more involvement in Johnny Merrimon and Jack Cross� lives and adventures straight up, this is likely not the best choice. However, I can definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy magical realism mixed with fantasy and supernatural � I think it would definitely appeal.
In The Hush, there is no avoiding magical realism. The story also moves into supernatural elements that challenge the majority of the key characters in this book � and many other secondary characters. Suspicions lead to superstitions lead to unexplainable supernatural phenomena.
For some people such as law enforcement and professional trackers, the desire is for known reality to take the bite out of fear of the unknown. This leads to more conflict, hardships, and even deaths.
There is a crossover in this novel into fantasy that I recognized from the days when I read that genre a lot. Instead of slipping a ring on a finger and disappearing into another world, () in this book it is as simple as walking into a vast swampland known as The Hush.
Whether The Hush allows entry or instead confuses trails and pathways and direction and terrain depends on who is going there. Since Johnny Merrimon lives within The Hush and has used gunfire to scare off intruders before, suspicion falls heavily on him when people start showing up dead. Even though, or possibly especially because it is Johnny who finds them and reports their deaths.
I had a bit of a problem with Johnny in this book. In The Last Child, what was endearing and brave for a 13-year-old becomes a tad annoying and irksome in a 23 or 24 year old. A pee contest with a Sheriff trying to get information was not helpful - even though Johnny knew the consequences and knew he would not handle those consequences well. Also, at one point Johnny was having far too much fun watching from a distance and chuckling as people were floundering in the swamp � lost, terrified, being eaten alive by mosquitoes and not knowing how to get out of there. I also questioned why he put up barriers between himself and Jack when it was obvious that of anyone Johnny knew, Jack would be the one to understand. These are minor irritants but I was hoping for a bit more nobleness of character from Johnny.
I do confess that although I am not a huge fan of magical realism nor of fantasy any more, those elements � and even the supernatural ones � were well done. This book would not have existed without those features because it was based on the histories of the families who came before (Johnny’s ancestors and their slaves) and how certain incidents and influences of those times tracked through decades to converge in the present � and why.
There is a lot of darkness in this book, and even though their friendship is tested severely, Johnny and his best friend Jack Cross (now a lawyer) add some light and hope.
I didn’t love this book but I also didn’t hate it. It was well-written (other than Johnny’s behaviors fairly early on) and full of suspense. For those who want more involvement in Johnny Merrimon and Jack Cross� lives and adventures straight up, this is likely not the best choice. However, I can definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy magical realism mixed with fantasy and supernatural � I think it would definitely appeal.
December 12, 2017
Water Moccasin, Copperhead, Black Swamp Water.
It's all there churning in the underbelly of Hush Arbor in Raven County. The Last Child redux.
John Hart sets down the characters of Johnny Merrimon and Jack Cross, once again, in the periphery of their own natural habitats. Their friendship locks in tightly and never skips a beat even from the mysterious shooting from 10 years ago. Secrets serve as steely links in an unbreakable bond between these two men that was rooted in the mud and the mire of unspeakable past events.
Johnny continues to live on the acre upon acre land that has been in his family since the 1850's. Resilient beyond words, Johnny hunts, fishes, and grows an enormous garden in order to sustain himself. Although "land rich", his money prospects are drying up. His mother, Catherine, and his stepfather, Clyde, are among the few that interact with him.
Jack Cross has come full circle since his childhood days in Hush Arbor. He now has a law degree and has ventured back into the shadowy segments of Raven County once again. His concern for Johnny prompts him into recommending that Johnny discuss his financial situation with Leslie Green, an appellate lawyer in the same law firm as Jack. Perhaps Johnny can benefit from this treasure of land.
But the thread that lifts and falls frequently at the core of this storyline is the eerie goings-on in regard to this land of Johnny's and what transpired so very long ago. We cannot escape the past and the past has no reason to escape its host. It is in this genre of magical realism that Hart uses as his vehicle for the layers of his storyline. It works to some degree, but it also breathes like forced air in a mine shaft. A lot of space to fill in a short amount of time.
Storytelling is what John Hart does best. You find yourself leaning in, absorbing every word. And he crafts those words like the wordsmith that he truly is. He can create a scene in soft whispers and then ratchet it up, unexpectantly, into a sonic boom.
You need not have read The Last Child in order to read this one. Ironically, few elements are the same and many elements are not in the same wheelhouse. A different avenue for Hart, and yet, a longing for the familiar shimmer that makes Hart......Hart.
I received a copy of The Hush through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and to the very talented John Hart for the opportunity.
It's all there churning in the underbelly of Hush Arbor in Raven County. The Last Child redux.
John Hart sets down the characters of Johnny Merrimon and Jack Cross, once again, in the periphery of their own natural habitats. Their friendship locks in tightly and never skips a beat even from the mysterious shooting from 10 years ago. Secrets serve as steely links in an unbreakable bond between these two men that was rooted in the mud and the mire of unspeakable past events.
Johnny continues to live on the acre upon acre land that has been in his family since the 1850's. Resilient beyond words, Johnny hunts, fishes, and grows an enormous garden in order to sustain himself. Although "land rich", his money prospects are drying up. His mother, Catherine, and his stepfather, Clyde, are among the few that interact with him.
Jack Cross has come full circle since his childhood days in Hush Arbor. He now has a law degree and has ventured back into the shadowy segments of Raven County once again. His concern for Johnny prompts him into recommending that Johnny discuss his financial situation with Leslie Green, an appellate lawyer in the same law firm as Jack. Perhaps Johnny can benefit from this treasure of land.
But the thread that lifts and falls frequently at the core of this storyline is the eerie goings-on in regard to this land of Johnny's and what transpired so very long ago. We cannot escape the past and the past has no reason to escape its host. It is in this genre of magical realism that Hart uses as his vehicle for the layers of his storyline. It works to some degree, but it also breathes like forced air in a mine shaft. A lot of space to fill in a short amount of time.
Storytelling is what John Hart does best. You find yourself leaning in, absorbing every word. And he crafts those words like the wordsmith that he truly is. He can create a scene in soft whispers and then ratchet it up, unexpectantly, into a sonic boom.
You need not have read The Last Child in order to read this one. Ironically, few elements are the same and many elements are not in the same wheelhouse. A different avenue for Hart, and yet, a longing for the familiar shimmer that makes Hart......Hart.
I received a copy of The Hush through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and to the very talented John Hart for the opportunity.
February 11, 2018
I have really enjoyed John Hart’s other books in the past, but this was a real dud for me. But don’t take my word for it. There are so many enthusiastic reviews. The things that irked me clearly didn’t irk many other readers. But, oh boy, at times how irked I felt!
Here are my top three complaints:
-I don’t particularly like books that rely on magic and supernatural events. Had I known that the plot is entirely dependent on unexplainable events and history conveyed through dreams and ghosts, I hope I would have had the common sense to stay away despite how much I’ve enjoyed Hart’s books in the past. I kept hoping the supernatural aspects of the book would die down or be explained away, but they only escalated to what felt like absurd proportions by the end.
-These characters live in a world of relentless heavy-handed melodrama. It soon became tiresome.
-At its core, The Hush draws on the ugly history of slavery and the relationship between slaves and their owners. There is so much good writing about this topic and there is still so much to be written about this topic. But my spidey sense kept telling me that there was something awry in the way Hart approaches the topic. The melodramatic supernatural plot just seems to be a bad fit for such a raw and difficult part of American history.
But, again, I am very much in the minority in my reaction to this book. Based on the reviews so far, The Hush will obviously appeal to many readers.
My apologies to Debbie as I shamelessly borrowed her complaint board without asking first. And thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me access to an advance copy.
Here are my top three complaints:
-I don’t particularly like books that rely on magic and supernatural events. Had I known that the plot is entirely dependent on unexplainable events and history conveyed through dreams and ghosts, I hope I would have had the common sense to stay away despite how much I’ve enjoyed Hart’s books in the past. I kept hoping the supernatural aspects of the book would die down or be explained away, but they only escalated to what felt like absurd proportions by the end.
-These characters live in a world of relentless heavy-handed melodrama. It soon became tiresome.
-At its core, The Hush draws on the ugly history of slavery and the relationship between slaves and their owners. There is so much good writing about this topic and there is still so much to be written about this topic. But my spidey sense kept telling me that there was something awry in the way Hart approaches the topic. The melodramatic supernatural plot just seems to be a bad fit for such a raw and difficult part of American history.
But, again, I am very much in the minority in my reaction to this book. Based on the reviews so far, The Hush will obviously appeal to many readers.
My apologies to Debbie as I shamelessly borrowed her complaint board without asking first. And thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me access to an advance copy.
November 30, 2017
Copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review.
What is the truth of Hush Arbor? A mist rises through the trees, shimmering and glimmering with tricks of light. And of movement. The vast swamp lies low, heavy and shifting. The very stillness is disquieting. A bitter old woman kneels under an ancient tree, her prayers full of spite and rancor. Two lifelong friends share a debt that continues to weigh heavily years after the fact. As deadly secrets come to light, the fate of Hush Arbor and its inhabitants hangs in the balance.
My only quibble is with the ending, which seemed to lose the mystique that had carried the tale, a complete change of tone. It may be that it was necessary in order to wind things down. Other than that, I felt like I had hit the jackpot. John Hart tells a great story.
What is the truth of Hush Arbor? A mist rises through the trees, shimmering and glimmering with tricks of light. And of movement. The vast swamp lies low, heavy and shifting. The very stillness is disquieting. A bitter old woman kneels under an ancient tree, her prayers full of spite and rancor. Two lifelong friends share a debt that continues to weigh heavily years after the fact. As deadly secrets come to light, the fate of Hush Arbor and its inhabitants hangs in the balance.
My only quibble is with the ending, which seemed to lose the mystique that had carried the tale, a complete change of tone. It may be that it was necessary in order to wind things down. Other than that, I felt like I had hit the jackpot. John Hart tells a great story.
June 8, 2019
I’m a big fan of John Hart and have enjoyed all of his books that I have read, including his latest, The Hush.
The Hush is a follow-up to The Last Child which takes place 10 years into the lives of Johnny Merrimon and Jack Cross. Johnny is living a life of solitude on the 6,000 acres he inherited from his ancestors. Jack is now an attorney. This book steeped in magical realism and the supernatural is totally different from The Last Child, but not unwelcomed.
Hart’s dark and eerie story brings Johnny and Jack on a journey to find out what happened in the past with Johnny’s ancestors and the freed slaves on the land. There is POWER in The Hush. Sinister, dark magical power. Johnny is connected to the land and feels the good side of the power, but not everyone does. Many unexplained deaths occur while the story unwinds. The ending was nicely done.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jeremy Bobb. His voice really brought the book to life. It took me awhile to finish the book, as I’m not commuting into Boston anymore, but it didn’t matter. The narrator brought me back to THE HUSH every time I tuned in.
4 out of 5 stars
The Hush is a follow-up to The Last Child which takes place 10 years into the lives of Johnny Merrimon and Jack Cross. Johnny is living a life of solitude on the 6,000 acres he inherited from his ancestors. Jack is now an attorney. This book steeped in magical realism and the supernatural is totally different from The Last Child, but not unwelcomed.
Hart’s dark and eerie story brings Johnny and Jack on a journey to find out what happened in the past with Johnny’s ancestors and the freed slaves on the land. There is POWER in The Hush. Sinister, dark magical power. Johnny is connected to the land and feels the good side of the power, but not everyone does. Many unexplained deaths occur while the story unwinds. The ending was nicely done.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jeremy Bobb. His voice really brought the book to life. It took me awhile to finish the book, as I’m not commuting into Boston anymore, but it didn’t matter. The narrator brought me back to THE HUSH every time I tuned in.
4 out of 5 stars
November 25, 2017
4.5 Stars! Oh the power of THE HUSH.....and John Hart's writing!
JOHN HART takes us on an unexpected eerie and magical journey in this follow-up novel to THE CHILD where we once again meet up with best buddies Johnny Merrimon and Jack Cross. All grown up now....both in their 20's, Jack with a law degree and Johnny....well, he hides out from his dark and tragic past on his beloved ancestral six thousand acres in the remote Hush Arbor, North Carolina....land with secrets he intends to keep no matter the cost....no matter who stakes a claim.
THE HUSH is filled with misty swampland and dangerous forests where many go in, but do not come out....where you THINK you know the way....where the mysterious happens causing haunted dreams from tortured spirits of long ago.
LOVE the creepy place where John Hart takes us on this one....how we travel the land in the midst of a presence who wants us gone....in search of truth.
"There is such magic in the world."
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC COMING FEBRUARY, 2018 in exchange for an unbiased review.
February 20, 2018
John Hart is a fantastic writer, but this book was quite a bit different from his other novels - which I thought were outstanding. Although this was a follow-up to “The Last Child� (which I loved), “The Hush� didn’t really seem like a continuation of that story even though the same characters were present in both. While there are mysteries to be resolved, the most significant of those involve supernatural and mystical elements. Depending on readers� preferences and expectations, this aspect may influence whether they choose to read “The Hush.� One of the things I appreciate about Hart’s books is his propulsive storytelling and that was somewhat lacking in this book. However, the writing continues to be extraordinary - lush, lyrical, and captivating. I’m in the minority, and I certainly don’t want want to dissuade anyone from reading “The Hush.� It just wasn’t what I was expecting from Hart.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book .in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book .in exchange for my honest review.
March 28, 2018
This is a tough review to write. I love John Hart's previous books, but this one was difficult for me. As is typical for this author, the prose is wonderful and the characters are well-drawn. The setting plays a huge part, and I was right there in the swamp. I’ve even had the experience of finding a campsite in the woods behind our house and then realizing I had walked in a huge circle and just approached our campsite from a different direction. But here’s my problem. There is an ever-present pervasive mysticism that requires way too much belief and acceptance from me. I had a constant reservation in the back of my mind that undermined my enjoyment of this book. I’m sure there are readers who will love this book, and I’m sorry I can’t be one of them, but I am glad I read it.
March 4, 2018
Dark, haunting, and unpredictable!
The Hush takes us back to into the lives of Johnny Merrimon and Jack Cross 10 years after we first met them in The Last Child as they face a journey of survival against resentment, jealousy, legal woes, the wilderness, and the unsettled skeletons and secrets of the past.
The writing is gloomy and exceptional descriptive. The characters are steadfast, scarred, and lonely.And the plot, which seems to be heading towards a legal thriller in the first half of the novel quickly veers into a story of tortured spirits, dark magic, and supernatural phenomenon.
I have to say that die-hard fans of John Hart may be a little disappointed in this latest outing which doesn’t leave you on the edge-of-your-seat or delve into the complex nature of the human psyche as we've come to associate with his novels. There's no question that Hart is an incredibly evocative writer, and although The Hush really didn't work for me if you can approach it with an open mind and enjoy stories steeped in magical realism you may just love it.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at
The Hush takes us back to into the lives of Johnny Merrimon and Jack Cross 10 years after we first met them in The Last Child as they face a journey of survival against resentment, jealousy, legal woes, the wilderness, and the unsettled skeletons and secrets of the past.
The writing is gloomy and exceptional descriptive. The characters are steadfast, scarred, and lonely.And the plot, which seems to be heading towards a legal thriller in the first half of the novel quickly veers into a story of tortured spirits, dark magic, and supernatural phenomenon.
I have to say that die-hard fans of John Hart may be a little disappointed in this latest outing which doesn’t leave you on the edge-of-your-seat or delve into the complex nature of the human psyche as we've come to associate with his novels. There's no question that Hart is an incredibly evocative writer, and although The Hush really didn't work for me if you can approach it with an open mind and enjoy stories steeped in magical realism you may just love it.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at
April 9, 2017
When you see that a new John Hart novel is in the works
I'm a HUGE fan of his work and I can't wait to read more!!!
I'm a HUGE fan of his work and I can't wait to read more!!!
November 16, 2020
I am at a bit of a disadvantage not having read The Last Child, the predecessor to this book. It is something I intend to fix since I am an avid fan of John Hart.
Ten years have passed and our main characters from the first book, have moved from boys to men, not forgetting that wonderful bond of friendship they share. However, Jack, now a lawyer is quite worried about his best friend Johnny Merrimom, who seems to be more entrenched in the land he owns retreating from reality from the fame and notoriety he once had. Johnny has an infinity for The Hush land, he is linked to it in ways that are both terrifying and mesmerizing. Hush has secrets buried long ago and death seems to be an integral part of its sacred makeup and has taken shape inside it environs.
There is much interest in Johnny's land given to him because of the way a will was written and when people enter they find a world of confusion, disorientation, loss of time, and of course the ultimate death. It is a place of spookiness, with lots of magical realism present and though a trip through this book might be a bit arduous at times, it tells of a forbidden past and an unknown future.
I enjoyed the first three quarters of the book, but the last quarter seemed to drag a bit until it came to its ending. A book that may be at times confusing, but definitely a writer who continues to amaze with his ability to weave a story with many complex threads.
Ten years have passed and our main characters from the first book, have moved from boys to men, not forgetting that wonderful bond of friendship they share. However, Jack, now a lawyer is quite worried about his best friend Johnny Merrimom, who seems to be more entrenched in the land he owns retreating from reality from the fame and notoriety he once had. Johnny has an infinity for The Hush land, he is linked to it in ways that are both terrifying and mesmerizing. Hush has secrets buried long ago and death seems to be an integral part of its sacred makeup and has taken shape inside it environs.
There is much interest in Johnny's land given to him because of the way a will was written and when people enter they find a world of confusion, disorientation, loss of time, and of course the ultimate death. It is a place of spookiness, with lots of magical realism present and though a trip through this book might be a bit arduous at times, it tells of a forbidden past and an unknown future.
I enjoyed the first three quarters of the book, but the last quarter seemed to drag a bit until it came to its ending. A book that may be at times confusing, but definitely a writer who continues to amaze with his ability to weave a story with many complex threads.
February 21, 2022
5 stars for the writing and its concept
Final verdict: 3.75 rounded up to 4 stars.
My fourth book by this author, who won my deep respect with “Redemption Road�, just last month.
John Hart is a terrific storyteller and a superb writer.
This book is a follow up of “The Last Child�, a book that I do recommend, but it’s quite different. You don’t need to read the first book in order to enjoy this one.
As soon as I started this book, I was completely hooked. Although not a page turner like “The Last Child�, I had a hard time putting it down.
The author did take a big risk changing directions from a straight forward crime fiction and going into a magical realism.
I was completely happy during the first 63%, but after that the transition was too much and, as one of my favourite reviewers on ŷ said so well, that part lacked cohesiveness or coherence.
Regardless, I can’t deny the talent that the author has for creating a terrific atmosphere.
If you would like to try this book, go with an open mind.
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of his published works.
Final verdict: 3.75 rounded up to 4 stars.
My fourth book by this author, who won my deep respect with “Redemption Road�, just last month.
John Hart is a terrific storyteller and a superb writer.
This book is a follow up of “The Last Child�, a book that I do recommend, but it’s quite different. You don’t need to read the first book in order to enjoy this one.
As soon as I started this book, I was completely hooked. Although not a page turner like “The Last Child�, I had a hard time putting it down.
The author did take a big risk changing directions from a straight forward crime fiction and going into a magical realism.
I was completely happy during the first 63%, but after that the transition was too much and, as one of my favourite reviewers on ŷ said so well, that part lacked cohesiveness or coherence.
Regardless, I can’t deny the talent that the author has for creating a terrific atmosphere.
If you would like to try this book, go with an open mind.
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of his published works.
January 21, 2018
To say that I was just plain ol' excited to see on Netgalley that John Hart had new material, then have the good fortune of being given the opportunity to read and review that new treasure would be a gross understatement. The Hush was calling my name for a while but I wanted to read it closer to the release date and especially when I had the time to dive in. I've had the pleasure of being acquainted with Hart's work and I can honestly say I've never been let down... until now... but only kinda, sorta, if that makes sense.
One of the books that made me an instant fan of his, directing my literary compass was The Last Child. The Last Child followed Johnny Merrimon and his best friend, Jack Cross, as they journey through the depths of hell to find Johnny's missing twin sister. This coming of age (so to speak) journey they embark on forever changes them. The Hush, picking up 10 years later after the explosive conclusion of The Last Child (actually a couple a years shy of the original release date), gives fans an update of what's been happening with the two since.
When I initially requested The Hush for review, I approached it like I do most titles I receive as an ARC. If I'm familiar with the author, I usually begin the book without reading the back jacket blurb or any reviews until about 20% in. As I read the first chapter, I was vaguely reminded of a character in one of John Hart's other titles. My incessant need to figure out where I'd heard the seemingly "common" name before forced me to read the promotional summary. The Hush brags about being the long awaited sequel to the harrowing story of Johnny and Jack, yet... and in all fairness it's been quite some time since I'd read The Last Child... I didn't see much resemblance.
For those who wish to read The Last Child I must warn I will spoil that a little with my recap. The Hush opens with Johnny Merrimon reveling in the land he inherited from a great, great grandfather. Land that was once gifted to the freed slave men that lived and died on that same land. Johnny has become somewhat of a hermit, living in seclusion from the local town and the celebrity that came with finding his twin sister and busting up a crime ring grown men were too afraid to embark upon.
I won't pretend to remember much about the 13 year old Johnny of The Lost Child but he certainly wasn't anything like the Johnny introduced in The Hush. Actually, that mystery thriller is replaced with a more mystical, mythical, fantastical story of past ghosts, magical swamps, and dreams of a tortured past. I love a good ghost story. What I don't love is how this ghost story exploited a crime procedural and kinda disappoints those who are looking for an actual follow-up to The Last Child.
Just to be fair, I actually enjoyed The Hush. I am very familiar with people from the south's penchant towards promoting stories involving ghosts, spirits, or tortured souls that roam the earth in a state of unrest. It's almost as if John Hart put together all the stories he'd been told as a child and made a book of them. I'm fine with that no matter how convoluted. The ghosts of the past don't need to make sense. The magic of the Hush doesn't need to make sense in order to make for captivating reading.
The only problem is that... ultimately it does. The links in this title felt a little far fetched after a while and by 80% I was just ready for the end. John Hart doesn't sacrifice good writing, descriptive atmosphere, fully fleshed characters, and an initially intriguing plot in hopes of pulling in readers for the long haul.
I can't find much negative to say about The Hush except it wasn't what I expected in a follow-up to The Last Child. In Hart's defense, I just may need to re-read The Last Child. It's possible I missed all signs leading to The Hush.
Copy provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley
One of the books that made me an instant fan of his, directing my literary compass was The Last Child. The Last Child followed Johnny Merrimon and his best friend, Jack Cross, as they journey through the depths of hell to find Johnny's missing twin sister. This coming of age (so to speak) journey they embark on forever changes them. The Hush, picking up 10 years later after the explosive conclusion of The Last Child (actually a couple a years shy of the original release date), gives fans an update of what's been happening with the two since.
When I initially requested The Hush for review, I approached it like I do most titles I receive as an ARC. If I'm familiar with the author, I usually begin the book without reading the back jacket blurb or any reviews until about 20% in. As I read the first chapter, I was vaguely reminded of a character in one of John Hart's other titles. My incessant need to figure out where I'd heard the seemingly "common" name before forced me to read the promotional summary. The Hush brags about being the long awaited sequel to the harrowing story of Johnny and Jack, yet... and in all fairness it's been quite some time since I'd read The Last Child... I didn't see much resemblance.
For those who wish to read The Last Child I must warn I will spoil that a little with my recap. The Hush opens with Johnny Merrimon reveling in the land he inherited from a great, great grandfather. Land that was once gifted to the freed slave men that lived and died on that same land. Johnny has become somewhat of a hermit, living in seclusion from the local town and the celebrity that came with finding his twin sister and busting up a crime ring grown men were too afraid to embark upon.
I won't pretend to remember much about the 13 year old Johnny of The Lost Child but he certainly wasn't anything like the Johnny introduced in The Hush. Actually, that mystery thriller is replaced with a more mystical, mythical, fantastical story of past ghosts, magical swamps, and dreams of a tortured past. I love a good ghost story. What I don't love is how this ghost story exploited a crime procedural and kinda disappoints those who are looking for an actual follow-up to The Last Child.
Just to be fair, I actually enjoyed The Hush. I am very familiar with people from the south's penchant towards promoting stories involving ghosts, spirits, or tortured souls that roam the earth in a state of unrest. It's almost as if John Hart put together all the stories he'd been told as a child and made a book of them. I'm fine with that no matter how convoluted. The ghosts of the past don't need to make sense. The magic of the Hush doesn't need to make sense in order to make for captivating reading.
The only problem is that... ultimately it does. The links in this title felt a little far fetched after a while and by 80% I was just ready for the end. John Hart doesn't sacrifice good writing, descriptive atmosphere, fully fleshed characters, and an initially intriguing plot in hopes of pulling in readers for the long haul.
I can't find much negative to say about The Hush except it wasn't what I expected in a follow-up to The Last Child. In Hart's defense, I just may need to re-read The Last Child. It's possible I missed all signs leading to The Hush.
Copy provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley
May 31, 2018
A big departure for John Hart with this second book about Johnny and Jack set ten years after the events in --he has written this one with a big helping of magical-realism. Johnny prefers to live alone in a cabin in the Hush. There's some sort of magic here...or is it evil? Grown men go in and never come out, or if they do, they may have lost their sanity.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an arc of this suspenseful new book.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an arc of this suspenseful new book.
August 26, 2017
Johnny Merrimon has lived for years a solitary life. Housed in a cabin on his ancestor's North Carolina wooded land called the Hush, he has avoided people at all costs and any publicity stemmed from his sister's disappearance 10 years prior. An outcast and disliked by the majority of townspeople, he keeps to himself, until the land and its rightful ownership becomes questioned. Johnny enlists the help from his childhood friend, Jack, a lawyer, to help him with this current legal dispute. The swamp that that makes up much of the property has a mysterious element that has been subject to years of tale spinning. What unfolds is a blend of history, family, loyalty, and an element of supernatural. This is John Hart's follow up to his novel, The Last Child and it is a heart pounding thriller that will not disappoint.
Read
November 23, 2017DNF
Not going to rate this, as it wouldn't be fair.
I didn't realize this was a sequel to , which I didn't read.
While some reviewers have mentioned that this could be easily read as a stand alone, I myself have been struggling. Maybe had I read book one I would be more invested in the characters and be intrigued enough to take this journey further.
Unfortunately I have found the opening pace to be slow and the plot a bit flatlined for my taste to continue. There are some solid ratings behind this, so don't let my DNF send you away!
ARC provided by NetGalley
Not going to rate this, as it wouldn't be fair.
I didn't realize this was a sequel to , which I didn't read.
While some reviewers have mentioned that this could be easily read as a stand alone, I myself have been struggling. Maybe had I read book one I would be more invested in the characters and be intrigued enough to take this journey further.
Unfortunately I have found the opening pace to be slow and the plot a bit flatlined for my taste to continue. There are some solid ratings behind this, so don't let my DNF send you away!
ARC provided by NetGalley
September 5, 2017
Something sinister this way comes!
January 23, 2019
It's black magic, surrealism, murdery mystery (or should I say several murder mysteries), magic realism, and a good plot in one go.
Riveting, if this is your beat. I was scared out of my wits, felt the dark forces circling my pshyche while I was trying to make sense of The Hush (there is a place like that), the weird events, the creepy atmosphere, and the little that was left of 'normal'. And even 'normal' had a cold shiver or two dripped down my spine from behind! Slowly. Relentlessly.
The first book in this series was as nerve-wrecking as this one. One of the author's other novels, 'Redemption Road' was just as entertaining and enjoyable as this one. I really liked it.
This is a tremendously captivating suspense thriller to consider. The author takes you places where you don't want to go, but don't have the nerve to say 'no'. I cannot claim victimhood. I was a willing accomplice! There you have it. I confessed.
Mmmmm... I'm not switching the lights off tonight. And I will sleep with my eyes wide open!
Riveting, if this is your beat. I was scared out of my wits, felt the dark forces circling my pshyche while I was trying to make sense of The Hush (there is a place like that), the weird events, the creepy atmosphere, and the little that was left of 'normal'. And even 'normal' had a cold shiver or two dripped down my spine from behind! Slowly. Relentlessly.
The first book in this series was as nerve-wrecking as this one. One of the author's other novels, 'Redemption Road' was just as entertaining and enjoyable as this one. I really liked it.
This is a tremendously captivating suspense thriller to consider. The author takes you places where you don't want to go, but don't have the nerve to say 'no'. I cannot claim victimhood. I was a willing accomplice! There you have it. I confessed.
Mmmmm... I'm not switching the lights off tonight. And I will sleep with my eyes wide open!
March 17, 2018
John Hart has been one of my very favorite mystery writers. I admire his writing style and way with words and his storytelling ability. His atmospheric descriptions convey a strong visual sense of place. The characters are interesting and well developed.
I have read all John Hart’s mystery novels and enjoyed them, most of all The Last Child which I loved. I was pleased to learn that The Hush would revisit the two 13 year old boys, Johnny and James, ten years after the events of The Last Child. I was anxious to learn what was happening with these two devoted childhood friends.
The first part of the book worked well for me as it focused on Johnny and James and their present life. However, the author took a risk in bringing in supernatural elements. I don’t mind some magical realism in a story, but it just got more overwrought and outrageous. I did not care for the shifting, confusing and eerie landscape of the Hush which caused terror in those who survived.
I did not care for its ghosts, its walking dead, or visions of the past. I thought the characters of the young men were strong enough to center the story around them without bringing in all the hoodoo weirdness. That would make a whole new volume, and I felt it belonged in a separate, different book. As it was, I felt The Hush lacked cohesiveness and rather than feeling suspense, the paranormal slowed it down for me and I just wanted it to end. I failed to fear the terror. Instead of scaring me, the malevolent forces induced a state of boredom.
I would certainly read further books by the author, and hope for more about Johnny and James in a regular setting without all the mystical weirdness. I hope this is not the direction the author is heading. He is too great a writer for that.
I have read all John Hart’s mystery novels and enjoyed them, most of all The Last Child which I loved. I was pleased to learn that The Hush would revisit the two 13 year old boys, Johnny and James, ten years after the events of The Last Child. I was anxious to learn what was happening with these two devoted childhood friends.
The first part of the book worked well for me as it focused on Johnny and James and their present life. However, the author took a risk in bringing in supernatural elements. I don’t mind some magical realism in a story, but it just got more overwrought and outrageous. I did not care for the shifting, confusing and eerie landscape of the Hush which caused terror in those who survived.
I did not care for its ghosts, its walking dead, or visions of the past. I thought the characters of the young men were strong enough to center the story around them without bringing in all the hoodoo weirdness. That would make a whole new volume, and I felt it belonged in a separate, different book. As it was, I felt The Hush lacked cohesiveness and rather than feeling suspense, the paranormal slowed it down for me and I just wanted it to end. I failed to fear the terror. Instead of scaring me, the malevolent forces induced a state of boredom.
I would certainly read further books by the author, and hope for more about Johnny and James in a regular setting without all the mystical weirdness. I hope this is not the direction the author is heading. He is too great a writer for that.
March 3, 2018
A very different format that John Hart's previous work The Hush is heavily dependent on the supernatural. More magical realism than thriller-it was a struggle for me to finish this book. Although Hart is a good storyteller, this particular story just did not make a great deal of sense.
April 7, 2018
3.5 rounded to 4 stars
Johnny Merrimon must have been murmuring in the back of John Hart's mind. Now, nine years later we resort back to a character from his 2009 book .
This time Johnny is an adult. He is trying to live down the hype from his childhood. He has secreted himself away in the Hush - a large wooded area not too far from his hometown. Not too far, but far enough, and large enough to hide. The Hush is known as a sacred Indian grounds. One where men go in and never come out, or if they do return, they are never right again. Johnny knows, and feels, that the 'power' is there, but he is not afraid. This is his land.
Johnny's only friend is still Jack, now an attorney. Jack will trek into the Hush and spend time with Johnny. Johnny rarely leaves the Hush. And when he does he is still hounded by the press over the loss of his twin sister, Alyssa, when they were only twelve. His mother has recovered and is happy with Detective Hunt, who played a major part in solving the death of his sister.
Johnny is now the one who needs help. He turns to his long time friend Jack. Johnny is about to lose the Hush, all 6,000 acres, and swears he will never leave it and return to society.
Another good book by John Hart. Whereas most of his books are totally different, this one is a sequel. It can be read alone, but background information will come from first reading Last Child.
Johnny Merrimon must have been murmuring in the back of John Hart's mind. Now, nine years later we resort back to a character from his 2009 book .
This time Johnny is an adult. He is trying to live down the hype from his childhood. He has secreted himself away in the Hush - a large wooded area not too far from his hometown. Not too far, but far enough, and large enough to hide. The Hush is known as a sacred Indian grounds. One where men go in and never come out, or if they do return, they are never right again. Johnny knows, and feels, that the 'power' is there, but he is not afraid. This is his land.
Johnny's only friend is still Jack, now an attorney. Jack will trek into the Hush and spend time with Johnny. Johnny rarely leaves the Hush. And when he does he is still hounded by the press over the loss of his twin sister, Alyssa, when they were only twelve. His mother has recovered and is happy with Detective Hunt, who played a major part in solving the death of his sister.
Johnny is now the one who needs help. He turns to his long time friend Jack. Johnny is about to lose the Hush, all 6,000 acres, and swears he will never leave it and return to society.
Another good book by John Hart. Whereas most of his books are totally different, this one is a sequel. It can be read alone, but background information will come from first reading Last Child.
February 18, 2018
When you have to wait two years for a new John Hart book, you figure that it better be good. And when you find out that the main character is the grown up version of one of John Hart's fantastic earlier book, you know that it's going to be good. And when you read it and find out that it's one of the best books you've ever read, then the wait was worth it.
THE HUSH takes the reader into the life of grown up Johnny Merrimon who we first met in the Edgar award winning THE LAST CHILD. You can read THE HUSH as a stand-alone with no confusion but there are some references to situations in the earlier book and I read THE LAST CHILD years ago so I just ordered it to read again. John Hart is the first author to win the Edgar Award two years in a row and I have enjoyed all of this novels. THE HUSH is a bit different because there is a supernatural element to it. It's a fantastic well written novel that I think will be another top selling book.
Johnny is now in his late 20s, living life off the grid in an area known as the hush - an area in Rowan County NC, where a group of freed slaves started their new lives in the mid 1800s. Strange happenings are going on in the hush and Johnny wants to find out what is causing them so that he can continue his solitary life on the land that has been in his family for decades. His best friend, Jack, now a lawyer in Rowan County is the only person that Johnny allows on his land and knows where he lives. As Johnny and Jack try to find out what is happening in the hush, the reader is led down a mysterious path, with lots of detours to find out the answers. I really can't say much more about the plot without spoilers, but trust me, this is a plot that will keep you up far into the night. I lost a lot of sleep while I was reading it. The two main characters are extremely well written and believable and the plot will keep you guessing. I highly recommend this as another fantastic book from a great author.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
THE HUSH takes the reader into the life of grown up Johnny Merrimon who we first met in the Edgar award winning THE LAST CHILD. You can read THE HUSH as a stand-alone with no confusion but there are some references to situations in the earlier book and I read THE LAST CHILD years ago so I just ordered it to read again. John Hart is the first author to win the Edgar Award two years in a row and I have enjoyed all of this novels. THE HUSH is a bit different because there is a supernatural element to it. It's a fantastic well written novel that I think will be another top selling book.
Johnny is now in his late 20s, living life off the grid in an area known as the hush - an area in Rowan County NC, where a group of freed slaves started their new lives in the mid 1800s. Strange happenings are going on in the hush and Johnny wants to find out what is causing them so that he can continue his solitary life on the land that has been in his family for decades. His best friend, Jack, now a lawyer in Rowan County is the only person that Johnny allows on his land and knows where he lives. As Johnny and Jack try to find out what is happening in the hush, the reader is led down a mysterious path, with lots of detours to find out the answers. I really can't say much more about the plot without spoilers, but trust me, this is a plot that will keep you up far into the night. I lost a lot of sleep while I was reading it. The two main characters are extremely well written and believable and the plot will keep you guessing. I highly recommend this as another fantastic book from a great author.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
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