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Nothing More Dangerous
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins
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Nothing More Dangerous
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Summary
Missouri native Allen Eskens' "stunning small-town mystery" (New York Times Book Review) is a necessary exploration of family, loyalty, and racial tension in America and "a coming-of-age book to rival some of the best, such as Ordinary Grace" (Library Journal starred review).
In a small Southern town where loyalty to family and to "your people" carries the weight of a sacred oath, defying those unspoken rules can be a deadly proposition. After 15 years of growing up in the Ozark hills with his widowed mother, high-school freshman Boady Sanden is beyond ready to move on. He dreams of glass towers and cityscapes, driven by his desire to be anywhere other than Jessup, Missouri. The new kid at St. Ignatius High School, if he isn't being pushed around, he is being completely ignored. Even his beloved woods, his playground as a child and his sanctuary as he grew older, seem to be closing in on him, suffocating him.
Then Thomas Elgin moves in across the road, and Boady's life begins to twist and turn. Coming to know the Elgins - a black family settling into a community where notions of "us" and "them" carry the weight of history - forces Boady to rethink his understanding of the world he's taken for granted. Secrets hidden in plain sight begin to unfold: the mother who wraps herself in the loss of her husband, the neighbor who carries the wounds of a mysterious past that he holds close, the quiet boss who is fighting his own hidden battle.
But the biggest secret of all is the disappearance of Lida Poe, the African-American woman who keeps the books at the local plastics factory. Word has it that Ms. Poe left town, along with 100,000 dollars of company money. Although Boady has never met the missing woman, he discovers that the threads of her life are woven into the deepest fabric of his world.
As the mystery of her fate plays out, Boady begins to see the stark lines of race and class that both bind and divide this small town - and he will be forced to choose sides.
Best Book of the Year: Florida Sun-Sentinel and Library Journal
Finalist for the Minnesota Book Award
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Critic reviews
"Both heartwarming and hard-nosed, Nothing More Dangerous is a coming-of-age page-turner that probes the dark heart of small towns and the resilient strength that keeps families together." (Thomas Mullen, author of Darktown)
"Eskens does an excellent job of weaving [the] disparate threads together into a fine blend of mystery and coming-of-age novel. The setting is spot-on, the characters are empathetic and well realized, and the plot is clever and compelling, building suspense until a harrowing denouement reveals all." (Booklist)
"Eskens vividly renders how small towns try to keep their secrets, and how sometimes they cannot." (Ron Rash, author of Serena)
What listeners say about Nothing More Dangerous
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Helen Jones
- 07-06-24
Outstanding
An amazing combination of clever writing, likeable characters and beautiful narration. I loved every second of it. Gutted it’s over!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Louise
- 15-06-24
Wonderful
Loved every minute, such rich characters with a powerful story. The friendship of Boady and Thomas makes your heart sing and overcomes adversity. Just wonderful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Fierce
- 02-05-24
Gripping, page turner.
This story unfolds through the eyes of a fifteen year old boy. It recounts his struggles of the time with such sensitivity and grace. The language moving and emotive. I recommend this book, and the rest of the series, which I have binged. This story however, is my favourite . I do not want to talk about the contents, so as not to spoil it for the next potential fans…
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 14-05-24
There never is just black and white...
A different book of Allan Eskens but for me the best. Beautiful language, convincing characters and a really good story. I loved it
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- KH
- 15-05-24
outstanding
This and the book, The life we bury are outstanding novels. The other books I have read by the author are average. The first 2 books I mention are rich in words, like eating a wonderful desert and detailed stories. Will become classic literature.
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- Lou R
- 02-07-24
the storyline is simply beautiful
the thriller has you hooked and the childhood element has all the nostalgic characteristics that remind me of Stand By Me or Stranger Things but without the sci fi and aliens, it grips you in a beautiful tale that has you coming back for more and more. Allan Eskens is a master at writing these books, you smile, you laugh you cry all in 1 chapter, 10/10
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- Linda
- 10-02-21
An exploration of prejudice
Nothing More Dangerous is probably the best book I have ever read. it explores and delves into prejudice in the southern states of America in the 60's through the eyes of two 16 year old boys. Totally captivating and enchanting, with a beautiful use of words. The book is amazingly descriptive, while maintaining an 'edge of your seat', sense of foreboding. Brilliant, loved every word
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1 person found this helpful
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- Ms Rose
- 20-05-24
Beautiful book
This book is a masterpiece. It’s so well written and had me feeling just about every emotion throughout. I know it will be a story that stays with me forever. I really enjoyed the narration too, it was perfection. I’m also going to buy a physical copy of this book to keep and read.
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- C
- 15-05-24
The best book I've read in a long time
An excellent listen. The story is brilliant, it's well read. I just loved it and listened to it in 2 days!
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- sara manwaring
- 20-09-24
my new favourite author.
every book I have read of his is pure brilliance. thank you for writing such good stories
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