Book Review: "The Bright Lands" By John Fram

How is this a debut? Let me catch my breath and say,"This is golden!

I've never been more consumed by an ARC like this one in which I lost track of time and not just my norm 2 hrs but literally double that time & as a speed reader that's huge!

I hadn't even known this was a different genre than what I usually read which is thriller till after I received the request & went to check out the prologue.

Folks, this blew me away and those who know me good should know I rarely jot tons of notes unless it's a valuable read that goes above and beyond.

This went there to that land in the middle of nowhere TEXAS and as we all know everything is BIGGER in Texas.

Fear not the flats are a great place to hide out but hell this was more than a hideout this was like Madden taking on Goliath with body blows coming from all sides.

Bentley isn't just a fancy souped up car it's also the location of the action.
It's a conservative joint -a place that made Joel feel like an outsider- not comfortable in his own skin.

Hell even his own brother couldn't be protected and that for him was horrific. He wants and desperately needs answers.

Could the town be holding back crucial pieces of evidence? The walls aren't talking but the classmates are and it's going down!

Darkness rises, nightmares prosper, gold ain't in them hills but money might be, and drugs seem to be the hit of this party.

Beyond the horizon is a flicker of light- boys will be boys- but these boys came to do more than just play, drink, party, and have a good time.

It's an oath-it's like a fraternity-the old v the new.

Money is changing hands, drugs too, but the ultimate is the adventures that are the scariest.

Could Dylan's disappearance have something to do with jealousy, a payback, a scheme, a heist, or worse to pay a debt he had to sacrifice; give up something valuable in return?

I'm not familiar with some of the lingo as I'm old school but Grindr is a well known app for gays and it's been known to be a hot spot for activity in this case.

What's worse is the evidence is mounting and trickling in slow and steady with each new twister.

Sure the dust flies, the bullets whiz, the sound of gunfire can be heard, but that crackle of the arsenal is the least of their worries.

Sworn to secrecy, bound by blood, a place known to hide the truths and bury them alive.

So many players in action that's too many to name but suffice to say everyone is in on this one.

In fact, you'd be hard pressed to not find anyone who might not know some connection to the boys, the team, the coaches, those in trusted positions of authority like the police and detectives involved.

What's more maddening is the fact that Joel has to put his neck on the line to get the truths.

Peculiar boys. Harmless? Who simply need a place to empty , to relax, to kick back, and then head back to their alternate lives with wife, kids, bosses, and teammates.

I can tell you this, "All the boys wanted a piece of Dylan."

Having knowledge of a 'special trailer' was like music to the ears of many.
What if you could be boyfriends FOREVER! SWEET JESUS!

It's that take it to the grave feel. The danger lurks. The birds chirp or was that monsters? Well, you get my drift. This was wild, crazy, emotionally draining but worth the extra 4 hours of pure bliss.

What a masterpiece. What a gem. How is this a debut? WOW!!!

I'd give it 10 if I could but can only offer 5 -This deserves a  Literary Award!