'A Small Town' by Thomas Perry is a fast-paced and exciting story about a ring of technologically advanced and highly organized inmates who execute a prison break from a federal penitentiary, leading to the destruction of a nearby small town. The plot revolves around the aftermath of this breakout, with the remaining citizens seeking revenge and a super law enforcement commando type heroine being tasked to find and eliminate each ringleader. The story combines elements of high-tech crime, vigilante revenge, and a small town's struggle for justice and restoration after being ravaged by the escaped inmates.

The writing style in 'A Small Town' is described as engaging, thoughtful, and detailed, with a focus on creating a fast-paced narrative filled with twists and turns. The author, Thomas Perry, is praised for being a true storyteller who keeps the reader engaged through clever writing and intricate plot developments. Despite some gaps in character development and emotional depth, the book offers a thrilling and entertaining read that explores themes of crime, justice, and the resilience of a small community in the face of adversity.

Characters:

The characters are engaging, particularly the heroine, but some are perceived as underdeveloped or distant.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines engaging storytelling with clever prose, though it occasionally overwhelms with detail.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative features a thrilling prison break that leads to chaos in a small town, culminating in a vigilante revenge plot.

Setting:

The setting of the story highlights a small town, initially safe, that becomes chaotic due to a prison break.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast and engaging, though some parts may feel hurried.

Notes:

The novel features a prison break by a group of technologically advanced and organized inmates.

The inmates pillage a nearby small town, causing residents to flee.

The town receives federal grant money for repairs, which is repurposed for revenge.

The story follows a policewoman on a mission to kill the ringleaders of the prison break.

Comments suggest the female protagonist's character could have been more developed.

The author's writing is praised for being engaging and clever, yet sometimes feels distant in emotional impact.

Readers note that the premise is improbable but still enjoyable.

Thomas Perry's books are often described as refreshingly different and compelling.

Many readers find his novels rereadable, making them worthwhile investments of time and money.

The book explores themes of crime, revenge, and small-town America.

The relationship between the protagonist and her lover's widow is noted as believable and touching.

Readers recommend sticking with the book despite a slow start.

There is a loose end regarding a corrupt prison official that remains unaddressed by the end.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for A Small Town include depictions of violence, prison-related issues, and themes of revenge, which may be intense for some readers.

Has Romance?

There is a medium presence of romance in A Small Town, particularly around the relationship dynamics of the main character, Leah Hawkins, and her lover.

From The Publisher:

From the New York Times bestselling author Thomas Perry, "who can be depended upon to deliver high-voltage shocks" (Stephen King), comes a new thriller about an ingenuous jailbreak and the manhunt it unleashes.

In A Small Town, twelve conspirators meticulously plan to throw open all the gates to the prison that contains them, so that more than a thousand convicts may escape and pour into the nearby small town. The newly freed prisoners rape, murder, and destroy the town-burning down homes and businesses. An immense search ensues, but the twelve who plotted it all get away.

After two years, all efforts by the local and federal police agencies have been in vain. The mayor and city attorney meet, and Leah Hawkins, a six-foot, two-inch former star basketball player and resident good cop, is placed on sabbatical so that she can tour the country learning advanced police procedures. The sabbatical is merely a ruse, however, as her real job is to track the infamous twelve. And kill them.

Leah's mission takes her across the country, from Florida to New York, from California to an anti-government settlement deep in the Ozarks. Soon, the surviving fugitives realize what she is up to, and a race to kill or be killed ensues. Full of exhilarating twists and surprisingly resonant, A Small Town will sweep readers along on Leah's quest for vengeance.

What can you read after
A Small Town?

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A Small Town

Thomas Perry