Far From True by Linwood Barclay: A Book That Will Keep You Guessing Until the End
Far From True: A Thrilling Mystery Set in Promise Falls
If you are looking for a suspenseful and captivating novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you might want to check out Far From True by Linwood Barclay. This is the second book in the Promise Falls trilogy, a series of interconnected stories set in a small town plagued by secrets, lies, and murders. In this article, we will give you an overview of what Far From True is about, who is the author behind it, and why you should read it. We will also provide a summary of the main events in the book, an analysis of the characters, plot, and themes, and a conclusion with some questions for you to think about. Let's get started!
Promise Falls Trilogy 2 Far From True Linwood Barclay.epub
Introduction
What is Far From True?
Far From True is a mystery thriller novel published in 2016 by Linwood Barclay. It is the second book in the Promise Falls trilogy, following Broken Promise and preceding The Twenty-Three. The book can be read as a standalone, but it is recommended to read the first book first to get a better understanding of the background and the characters. Far From True follows two main protagonists: Cal Weaver, a private investigator hired by a wealthy family to look into a break-in at their deceased father's home; and Barry Duckworth, a detective trying to solve two murders that seem to be connected by a distinctive wound. As they dig deeper into their respective cases, they discover that there is more to Promise Falls than meets the eye, and that someone is orchestrating a sinister plan that will affect the whole town.
Who is Linwood Barclay?
Linwood Barclay is a New York Times and #1 international bestselling author of over twenty novels, mostly in the mystery and thriller genre. He was born in 1955 in Connecticut, USA, but moved to Canada when he was four years old. He worked as a journalist for several newspapers before becoming a full-time novelist in 2008. His books have been translated into more than 40 languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. Some of his most popular books include No Time for Goodbye, Never Look Away, A Tap on the Window, and The Noise Downstairs. He lives near Toronto with his wife and has two grown children.
Why should you read Far From True?
There are many reasons why you should read Far From True if you are a fan of mystery and thriller novels. Here are some of them:
It is a fast-paced and gripping story that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last.
It has realistic and relatable characters that you will care about and root for.
It has twists and turns that will surprise you and make you rethink everything you thought you knew.
It has a complex and clever plot that will challenge your mind and keep you guessing until the end.
It has a vivid and atmospheric setting that will transport you to Promise Falls and make you feel like you are part of the story.
It has a blend of humor, emotion, action, and suspense that will appeal to a wide range of readers.
Summary of Far From True
The Drive-In Massacre
The book begins with a shocking scene: a drive-in movie theater in Promise Falls is blown up by a hidden explosive device, killing four people and injuring many others. Among the victims are Adam Chalmers, the son of a prominent and wealthy family, and his girlfriend, Lucy Brighton. The police suspect that the bombing was a targeted attack on Adam, who had a reputation for being a troublemaker and a womanizer. However, they have no clue who the bomber is or what the motive was.
The Secret Room
Meanwhile, Cal Weaver, a private investigator and a friend of Adam's father, is hired by the Chalmers family to look into a break-in at their deceased father's home. Cal discovers that the intruders were looking for something in a hidden room that was used for salacious activities. The room contains a large collection of DVDs that show various people having sex, some of them unaware that they were being filmed. Cal realizes that the DVDs could be related to the drive-in bombing, as some of them feature Adam and Lucy. He also finds out that the DVDs were made by a mysterious man named Quentin Garrison, who has been blackmailing and extorting people with the videos.
The Twenty-Three
At the same time, Barry Duckworth, a detective working on the drive-in case, is also trying to solve another murder that happened three years ago. The victim was Rosemary Gaynor, a librarian who was stabbed in the mouth with a pair of scissors. Barry notices that the wound is similar to the one found on one of the drive-in victims, and he suspects that there is a link between the two cases. He also learns that both victims had a connection to a local college, where a mysterious group called The Twenty-Three has been causing trouble. The Twenty-Three is a cult-like organization that believes that something terrible will happen in Promise Falls on May 23rd, and that they are the chosen ones who will survive.
Analysis of Far From True
The Characters
One of the strengths of Far From True is its well-developed and diverse cast of characters. The book features multiple points of view, each with their own voice and personality. The main characters are Cal Weaver and Barry Duckworth, who are both likable and sympathetic protagonists. They are both smart, brave, and determined to find the truth, even if it puts them in danger. They also have their own personal issues and struggles, such as Cal's grief over his son's death and Barry's health problems and marital troubles. They are not perfect heroes, but they are human and relatable.
The book also has many secondary characters who play important roles in the story. Some of them are allies, such as David Harwood, a reporter and friend of Cal; Lucy Brighton's parents, who are devastated by their daughter's death; and Randall Finley, a former mayor of Promise Falls who is running for re-election. Some of them are enemies, such as Quentin Garrison, the twisted and ruthless blackmailer; Jeremy Nash, a corrupt cop who works for Garrison; and The Twenty-Three, the fanatical and dangerous cult members. Some of them are ambiguous, such as Adam Chalmers' family, who have secrets and scandals of their own; and Detective Carl Scudder, who is assigned to work with Barry but seems to have ulterior motives.
The Plot
Another strength of Far From True is its intricate and engrossing plot. The book has multiple layers of mystery and suspense that keep the reader engaged and curious. The book starts with a bang with the drive-in bombing, which sets off a chain of events that reveal more clues and complications. The book then alternates between Cal's investigation into the secret room and Barry's investigation into the murders, both of which lead them to uncover more secrets and lies in Promise Falls. The book also incorporates elements of political intrigue, family drama, media manipulation, and social commentary into the plot, making it more relevant and realistic.
The book also has many twists and turns that surprise the reader and make them question everything they thought they knew. The book keeps the reader guessing about who is behind the drive-in bombing, what is Quentin Garrison's motive, what is The Twenty-Three's plan, and how are all these events connected. The book also ends with a cliffhanger that sets up the stage for the final book in the trilogy.
The Themes
people can be manipulated or coerced or blackmailed to do things they don't want to do. The book exposes the dark secrets and sins that lurk behind the facade of a seemingly normal town.
Another theme of Far From True is the importance of truth and justice. The book shows how the truth can be hidden or distorted or ignored by those who have something to hide or gain. The book also shows how the truth can be revealed or discovered or exposed by those who seek it or demand it or deserve it. The book portrays the struggle between the forces of good and evil, between the seekers of truth and justice and the perpetrators of lies and crimes. The book also raises questions about what is the truth, how to find it, and what to do with it.
Conclusion
What did you think of Far From True?
Far From True is a thrilling and compelling novel that will keep you entertained and intrigued from start to finish. It is a well-written and well-crafted story that combines mystery, thriller, and drama in a captivating way. It has realistic and relatable characters, a complex and clever plot, and a vivid and atmospheric setting. It has twists and turns that will surprise you and make you rethink everything you thought you knew. It has a blend of humor, emotion, action, and suspense that will appeal to a wide range of readers. It is a book that will make you think and feel and wonder.
If you enjoyed Far From True, you might also like the other books in the Promise Falls trilogy: Broken Promise and The Twenty-Three. You might also like other books by Linwood Barclay, such as No Time for Goodbye, Never Look Away, A Tap on the Window, and The Noise Downstairs. You might also like other books in the mystery and thriller genre, such as Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, and The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Far From True:
Is Far From True based on a true story?
No, Far From True is not based on a true story. It is a fictional story created by Linwood Barclay.
Is Far From True a standalone book?
No, Far From True is not a standalone book. It is the second book in the Promise Falls trilogy, following Broken Promise and preceding The Twenty-Three. It is recommended to read the first book first to get a better understanding of the background and the characters.
How many pages is Far From True?
Far From True has 544 pages in the paperback edition.
When was Far From True published?
Far From True was published in 2016 by Berkley.
Who is the narrator of Far From True?
Far From True has multiple narrators, each with their own point of view. The main narrators are Cal Weaver and Barry Duckworth.
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