Descent - Paperback

by Tim Johnston (Author)

The Rocky Mountains have cast their spell over the Courtlands, who are taking a family vacation before their daughter leaves for college. But when Caitlin and her younger brother, Sean, go out for an early morning run and onlySean returns, the mountains become as terrifying as they are majestic. Written with a precision that captures every emotion, every moment of fear, as each member of the family searches for answers, "Descent" races like an avalanche toward its heart-pounding conclusion. Read this astonishing novel . . .The magic of his prose equals the horror of Johnston s story. " The Washington Post" A compelling thriller that is both creepy and literary . . . "Descent" isnot just a mystery. It is an emotional story of evil, fear, acceptance and irony. " The Denver Post" " "What makes the novel unforgettable is its sense of character, its deliberate, unadorned prose and Johnston s unflinching exploration of human endurance, physical and psychological. " Miami Herald" A super-charged, addictive read. " The Missourian" An original and psychologically deep thriller. " Outside "magazine Outstanding . . . The days when you had to choose between agreat story and a great piece of writing? Gone. " Esquire" [A

Front Jacket

"Read this astonishing novel . . . The magic of his prose equals the horror of Johnston's story." --The Washington Post

The Rocky Mountains have cast their spell over the Courtlands, who are taking a family vacation before their daughter leaves for college. But when Caitlin and her younger brother, Sean, go out for an early morning run and only Sean returns, the mountains become as terrifying as they are majestic.

Written with a precision that captures every emotion, every moment of fear, as each member of the family searches for answers, Descent races like an avalanche toward its heart-pounding conclusion.

"A compelling thriller that is both creepy and literary . . . Descent is not just a mystery. It is an emotional story of evil, fear, acceptance and irony."--The Denver Post

"What makes the novel unforgettable is its sense of character, its deliberate, unadorned prose and Johnston's unflinching exploration of human endurance, physical and psychological." --Miami Herald

"A super-charged, addictive read." --The Missourian

"An original and psychologically deep thriller." --Outside magazine

"Outstanding . . . The days when you had to choose between a great story and a great piece of writing? Gone." --Esquire

"[A] dazzling debut . . . Exquisitely crafted." --The Dallas Morning News

"Incredibly powerful, richly atmospheric."--Minneapolis Star Tribune

" [An] engulfing thriller-cum-western." --The New York Times Book Review

"Brilliant . . . As gripping as any Everest expedition." --Peter Heller, author of The Dog Stars

Author Biography

Tim Johnston is the author of the novels Descent, The Current, the story collection Irish Girl, and the young adult novel Never So Green. He holds degrees from the University of Iowa and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is the recipient of the 2015 Iowa Author Award and currently lives in Iowa City, Iowa.