Rating: 
Summary: Don't pass it up
Review: A suitable and satisfying follow up to Montana, 1948, which should in all cases be read first. Not as good, but still wonderful. Watson has produced two of the finest, yet understated novels I have ever read. Add these to your library and your list or recommendations to friends.
Rating:
Summary: Don't pass it up
Review: A suitable and satisfying follow up to Montana, 1948, which should in all cases be read first. Not as good, but still wonderful. Watson has produced two of the finest, yet understated novels I have ever read. Add these to your library and your list or recommendations to friends.
Rating: 
Summary: White Crosses
Review: During the first hundred pages I couldn't put this book down. Then it got so boring that I had a hard time finishing the book. It just didn't seem to grab me anymore.
It really could have been wrapped up after the sheriff make his own theory behind an accident. The rest of it was just him trying to get everyone in town to believe his story. Then we can't forget that the sheriff had a very active imagination about having an affair with just about every woman in the book. Don't waste your time on this book.
Rating:
Summary: White Crosses
Review: During the first hundred pages I couldn't put this book down. Then it got so boring that I had a hard time finishing the book. It just didn't seem to grab me anymore.
It really could have been wrapped up after the sheriff make his own theory behind an accident. The rest of it was just him trying to get everyone in town to believe his story. Then we can't forget that the sheriff had a very active imagination about having an affair with just about every woman in the book. Don't waste your time on this book.
Rating: 
Summary: WOW! I surly did not expect that ending...Loved the Book
Review: I am a very avid reader, and during camp I came accross this book. I could not put it down! I called my best friend to let her know she HAD to read it. I anjoyed the personal touch he gave to his characters. I felt I was a part of the book. It drew me in. I have not read any other of Larry Watson's book, but I know I will be heading out soon for Montana 1948.
Rating:
Summary: OK, let the man think, and FINISH THE BOOK.
Review: I am giving this book four stars, but reading these reviews, I remember my own initial dislike of the endless asides in this book. The story begins with a bang, a juicy scandal and two deaths, but every tiny plot happening seems to be no more than a contrivance to allow for yet another flashback. The sheriff bends to tie his enormous shoe, launches into a reverie, then straightens up and looks around three pages later. As our tall sheriff plods through the windswept Montana prairie, can't he step a bit more quickly? But this oblique approach echoes the sidewinding trail the main character treads as he approaches the devastating internal truths at the heart of this story. It's like watching a man step slowly into quicksand and being unable to call out a warning. The ending is powerful, inevitable, excruciating ... and don't you DARE peek.
Rating:
Summary: O What a Wicked Web We Weave
Review: I found that I really enjoyed this book but, I have to confess, a lot of that is because it takes place in my rather remote part of the country. I don't ever recall any other book where the main character bought his suit at the J C Penney store in Williston, ND. However, I took off a "star" to account for this for those 99.999% of the country that don't live in this neck of the woods. The story opens with a compelling scenario; a one-car accident reveals the death of its' two passengers; an 18-year old girl and a prominent man old enough to be her father. It was obvious that they were leaving together and not just for the weekend. The sherrif of this small Eastern Montana community takes it upon himself to protect his community from scandal. That's the basic plot of the book. There are times when you expect more out of the book but, in the end, we are left with a telling irony about the best laid schemes of man. It may not be the ending that you would like but it does leave a worthy message. The book reads well and moves along at a steady pace. If you don't expect too much, this is a story that will satify most readers
Rating:
Summary: O What a Wicked Web We Weave
Review: I found that I really enjoyed this book but, I have to confess, a lot of that is because it takes place in my rather remote part of the country. I don't ever recall any other book where the main character bought his suit at the J C Penney store in Williston, ND. However, I took off a "star" to account for this for those 99.999% of the country that don't live in this neck of the woods. The story opens with a compelling scenario; a one-car accident reveals the death of its' two passengers; an 18-year old girl and a prominent man old enough to be her father. It was obvious that they were leaving together and not just for the weekend. The sherrif of this small Eastern Montana community takes it upon himself to protect his community from scandal. That's the basic plot of the book. There are times when you expect more out of the book but, in the end, we are left with a telling irony about the best laid schemes of man. It may not be the ending that you would like but it does leave a worthy message. The book reads well and moves along at a steady pace. If you don't expect too much, this is a story that will satify most readers
Rating:
Summary: It REALLY is a surprise ending!
Review: I picked this book up purely based on the interesting cover photograph and type-set. Basic plot: small town sheriff comes across an accident involving his small town's elementary school principal and a young girl fresh out of high school; he creates a story to protect both victims' reputations that ends up creating unexpected results. Although I thought Watson's highly descriptive prose was impressive, the book did drag at times as Sheriff Jack Nevelsen's thoughts went off onto seemingly unrelated tangents. I hadn't read any previous reviews and wasn't expecting the surprise finale. I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 3 purely because of the creative ending.
Rating:
Summary: When will the world discover Larry Watson?
Review: I read Larry Watson's latest novel about 6 months ago, but just read the review by the Floridian given above, and feel compelled to respond to such an ill-tempered and vacuous review ("author must know the publisher"). Watson's book is, perhaps, his finest to date. A tender love story--with all the complex emotions (passion,responsibilities, guilt, and much more), human frailities (deceit, revenge, hate), and dumb luck (and unluck) that this invariably involves. Levels of love are layered as artfully as are Watson's stories within stories: to whom is one faithful--a lover, a wife, a family member,a friend, a community? And what is the meaning of "unfaithfulness." And what is the price we pay--as individuals, as family, and as community--for doing the "right" thing. I can only conclude that life in Florida must be a lot more boring and tiresome than it is in Bentrock, Montana (or most other spots I've been lucky to know). R. Schlack (rfs@carthage.edu), Kenosha, WI.
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