The Truth by Jeffry W. Johnston

Published: February 16th 2016 by Sourcebooks Fire

Lie, torture, kill—there’s nothing Chris and Derek wouldn’t do for their younger brothers…

When Chris wakes up tied to a chair in a dark basement, he knows that he’s trapped—and why. He shot and killed Derek’s little brother. He had his reasons, but no matter how far Derek goes to uncover the truth about that night, Chris’s story won’t change. It can’t. There is far too much at stake…

Derek is desperate to prove his brother didn’t deserve to die. And if kidnapping his brother’s killer is the only way to the truth, than he’ll go to extremes. But Chris’s truth is far more dangerous than Derek could have imagined, and knowing could cost both their lives…

At a mere 240 pages this book packs a serious punch. Excellent use of tight and concise prose ensuring every single word matters.

The story is rooted around family and loyalty to those we love. Yes, it is a very, very dark story but it is absolutely poignant and riveting at the same time.

Chris is a seemingly mundane sixteen year-old…As we learn more about him we see that he is everything but ordinary. In his short life he has been delivered many devastating and life changing blows. His heroic father lost his life in the line of duty. After his beloved protector and police officer father has left this world, Chris is left with the responsibility of being the man of his house and tending to both his mother and younger brother.

Ever the protector, Chris responds to a noise in the kitchen in the middle of the night. An incident with the burglar leaves Chris with the weight of knowing he has ended the life of another young adult.

The book begins when Chris wakes up in a room bound to a chair with the older brother of the boy he killed wanting answers. With the threat of his fingers being cut off by garden shears, Chris has to tell the truth about what really happened that night.

The story is told from a ‘past’ and ‘present’ tone and it works fantastic for the nature of this story.

A stunning read that must be experienced.