Nothing More Dangerous

By: Allen Eskens

Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell

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

©2019 Allen Eskens (P)2019 Mulholland Books

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)

The best yet!

I’m an Eskens fan and have read his other two books, so I was excited when I saw this one available. I loved this one so much. I loved the characters, the setting, the conflicts, and the friendships that grew with the story. I seriously can’t say enough good things about this book. I’m telling everyone I know to read it. Highly recommend!

Masterful

This book reminded me so much of one of my favorites, “To Kill a Mockingbird”. The slow but steady pacing felt so right me, having been a young person in the 70’s. Small town life, simpler times, yet hitting all the right notes of angst as a teenager. I enjoyed this books content which was brought to life by the performer. A perfect combination. And very relevant to these times, unfortunately. I highly recommend!

Another amazing story from Allen Eskens

Absolutely loved it! Another amazing book from Allen Eskens. I have enjoyed every one of his books thoroughly and this book was no exception. Thank you for sharing these amazing stories and as always, I can not wait for the next one.

Excellent

A moving coming of age story. Reminded me a little of To Kill a Mocking Bird.

EXCELLENT STORY!

Allen Eskens has done an amazing job in depicting the how things were in the 70s. If we could only go back and change history! Kevin Stillwell did a wonderful job in every way. When a narrator can make you cry, you know he's good! Everyone should listen to this book.

Wonderfully written and poignant story

As good as The Life We Bury, I found this book very well written. Eskens' approach to growing up in the racially charged 1970s and a young boy's struggle to understand the world around him reminds the reader how far we've come, and how much further we need to go still.

Great Story and Performance

The story was beautifully written and there couldn't possibly have been a better narrator to tell it. This was a moving coming of age story touching on the challenges of growing up in a small back country racist community.

Excellent narration

The narrator did an amazing job creating character and holding you in their world with emotion and suspense.

Beautifully written beautifully Performed

The author made you feel all emotions satisfaction happy angry sad and triumphant. beautifully written

Beautifully Written

Mr. Eakins, Thank you for writing this great book. I’ll definitely read your other novels also.