Three and a half stars actually. I liked it better than [b:The Providence Rider|12834430|The Providence Rider (Matthew Corbett, #4)|Robert McCammon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1326991580s/12834430.jpg|17984820] but I think it still falls to the second weakest book of the five so far. At least the dastardly Professor Fell and his evil global crime organization only played a minor role, in the end. I guess we know where the next book will start. Characterization was back up a notch from the previous book, which is McCammon's real strength. I'm not sure when the next installment is due, but yeah I'll probably read it. I'm a sucker sometimes. ( )

Maybe I'm burning out on Matthew Corbett. Or maybe McCammon is. Either way, I found I wasn't as engaged in this story as I've been in the previous four. I felt like I could see behind the curtains here, and McCammon's plot machinations were quite obvious.

The story wasn't bad, somewhat mirroring the third in the series (and my personal favourite). But it also seemed to recall all that was not great about [b:Gone South|11549|Gone South|Robert McCammon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1340796970s/11549.jpg|16692257], a novel I had a very hard time with.

I don't know. There's nothing I can specifically point to that says, This. This is where it went wrong, but this one simply didn't gel for me. Ah well, perhaps he'll get on track with the sixth adventure, due to be released soon.

In the meantime, I'll be glad to step away from the 1700s and see what McCammon has in store with [b:The Border|24406483|The Border|Robert McCammon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1420852289s/24406483.jpg|43992377], the next (and, as of now, last) book on my McCammon reading list. ( )

3.5 stars!
I'm a tad disappointed. Maybe it's because I love this series so much and I expected a lot from this volume. Maybe it's because I'm used to big books in this series and this volume is short. I'm not quite sure why, but I'm feeling unfulfilled.

Our beloved "problem solver" Matthew Corbett has ventured from NYC circa 1703 and is currently situated in Charles Town, Carolina. He has been hired to bring the local belle to a ball and what could be an easier job? Of course, Matthew being Matthew, he is soon involved in the investigation of a murder and he, (and we), are off! Soon finding himself in a row boat upon the River of Souls, he is faced with escaped slaves, a murderer on the loose, alligators, raving, maniacal skeletons, and baby cries coming from the swamps. What a blast!!

So, why am I feeling a little let down? Again, I can't quite say. I'm going to chalk it up to my excitement about a new entry in the series, because I mean just look up there! There was some seriously interesting, fun stuff going on. You don't get maniacal skeletons every day!

I still recommend this book, of course. Matthew is continuing to grow and the direction that his life has taken is completely different than anything that has come before. Now begins the long wait to see where Matthew (and Mr. McCammon) take us next.

*A big thank you goes to my friend Matthew who gifted me a copy of this book. Thanks again, Matt! * ( )

First, about the book. My copy is a slipcased, signed, numbered edition. It is a gorgeous piece of artwork. The cover and pictures included in this edition are by Vincent Chong. If I was a writer, I would save enough money to get the right cover for my book, and Vincent Chong would be my go-to artist. He does brilliant work. Not only do we have this beautiful cover, but we have two glossy pieces of work inside along with pencil drawings throughout.

The end papers are detailed pieces too, not sure if that's Chong's work or not.

The smell when I opened the book was priceless. I can't remember a book that smelled so bookish in a long time. Ink and paper, a real throwback aroma I really haven't encountered in years. A book is all about the experience to me. Every single aspect of it. This satisfied all my senses. Okay, I didn't lick the book or anything, but I "ate it up" so to speak, reading it.

And now just a quick bit of back story about my journey into McCammon's writing. My book journal says I read Boy's Life in 1995. So many people were, if not singing its praises, at least humming them. All around me was this sound telling me to read this book, it was great! So, I read it and wasn't impressed at all. It was okay. The writing was good, but the story never hugged me in that special way. I can't tell you today what it's about. I guess there was a boy, and he had a life.

Having said that though, I never totally write off an author because I didn't click with a piece of work. I've said before, how we take in a story depends on so many personal things. A book doesn't live in its own vacuum, we bring something to a writer's story too, whether they like it or not. We bring our lives to the story, our experiences, our knowledge and every once in a while, our "me" intrudes on the "thems" there on the pages.

And while I didn't particularly dislike Boys Life, I didn't rush out to buy anything else of McCammon's. I received The River of Souls from Cemetery Dance and it's been sitting on my book shelf for a while now.

Sometimes in our lives, we read the right book at the right time. This is what happened here. I really loved this story. It's a historical fiction set in North Carolina in 1703 well before the American Revolution but the colonies are growing and thriving. I am a Daughter of the American Revolution through two Patriots. One from Virginia, the other is from North Carolina. McCammon had me hooked, right through that soft fleshy part of my cheek and I happily dangled there.

Well written, great story, good characters. And I knew there was a book previous to this one, and I got that hint there were things I should've known but didn't because I hadn't read the one that came before. But, that didn't take away from my enjoyment from this tale, it just made me want to get the previous book. And then lo and behold, I find out, there are many books in this series! This is very exciting!

Nice job by everyone involved in the production of The River of Souls. I will definitely be finding the rest of this series. I just wish I could add them to my library in the same format as this book. Gorgeous.

My only criticism and not even that, really. I just need some clarification. At the end of the main story? I think? we had an insert of a whole new group of people, only linked to our guy, Matthew Corbett, by a mention.

Is this the next book to be published? I think it was called The Scorpion's Eye (sorry, I don't have the book with me to verify that title chapter). Anyway, that threw me off a bit and I decided it was like a continuing series where you get a preview of next weeks' episode, is that right? And maybe this is a stylistic choice he has done throughout the series?

What had me confused by its presence was the fact it had a glossy piece of artwork included. Usually when getting an excerpt from a next installment, the publisher doesn't spend money showcasing it that way. They save that dosh on the new book. ( )

Matthew Corbett is a professional problem solver, similar to what we might call a private investigator. Executing his duties he’s faced his fair share of danger. He’s also faced his share of people preferring he keep his nose out of their business.

Matthew, after some cajoling, accepts a commission to travel to Charlestown to act as escort to a rich man’s daughter. Matthew suspects she’s as ugly as they come and is the reason for the extravagance of paying a man to come all the way from New York. Little does he know, what the real reason is.

After an exciting night of truths being revealed as an escort, Matthew decides to call upon the previous nights visitor and entertainment to offer some advice. Then, being in the wrong place (or right depending on your point of view) and he is swept up in an adventure to capture the murderer of a lovely young lady, that pushes his physical, emotional and mental limits. He comes out a changed man. More changed than he ever realizes.

I really like the character Matthew Corbett, and I plan to try another one of his stories. I am intrigued by the hints of back story of previous adventures. I would say that you don’t really need to read any of the previous books in the series, but I would still recommend starting earlier. With the ending as it was, I will say this is the latest book in the series to begin. Well written, though some of the descriptions I felt were a little long, especially for some of the bit characters who were there long enough to perish. I will say I didn’t like the ending at all. ( )