A nation—and family—divided in Vietnam-era ‘The Unwilling’

By Oline H. Cogdill

‘The Unwilling’ by John Hart. St. Martin’s, 384 pages, $27.99

Engrossing — and effective — historical mysteries don’t have to take place during eras hundreds of years ago. Often, the most gripping historicals take place during our immediate past as John Hart demonstrates in “The Unwilling,” set in 1972 during the height of The Vietnam War.

Hart’s seventh novel delivers an intense story about a family divided and falling apart, a metaphor for the country’s fractious climate. “The country was wounded and hurting. Was divided too big a word?”

In addition to being a story about family bonds, “The Unwilling” also is as about boys who would be men with the pall of the draft hanging over their heads after high school graduation.

Jason French served as a Marine in Vietnam, apparently killing many enemies. But Jason didn’t come back a hero — he returned a heroin addict and spent time in prison for violent crimes associated with his drug habit. His twin brother, Robert, who Jason knows was more loved by his parents, was killed in Vietnam.

Unhappiness awaits Jason in his Charlotte, N.C., hometown. He wants to reconnect with his youngest brother, Gibby. But his mother, still reeling from suspect when a woman he Robert’s death, refuses to dated is murdered. Gibby’s allow Jason in the house attempts to prove Jason and demands Gibby stay innocent puts him against away from his brother. his father, a police detective.ButGibbyisateenager, “tired of being the youngHart skillfully mines est, the sheltered, the only the details of the early one unproven by combat 1970s and the impact the or adulthood,” so he sees Vietnam War had on the Jason on the sly. country in “The Unwill

Jason becomes the ing.” Although the plot occasionally dips into too much violence, the story’s strength is its deep examination of characters and the country. Each is a product of the times while trying to look to the future.

Zoom with the author

John Hart discusses his novel “The Unwilling” with author C.J. Box (“Dark Sky”) beginning at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 10 during a Zoom virtual book event sponsored by Murder on the Beach bookstore, 104 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, murderonthebeach.com. Admission to the event is purchase of the book; includes free shipping. Email murdermb@gate.net or 561-279-7790 to purchase and receive link.

For the week ended Jan. 30, compiled from data from independent and chain bookstores, book wholesalers and independent distributors nationwide.

— Publisher’s Weekly

John Hart’s new novel is“The Unwilling.”