Small Town Sins

A Novel

By: Ken Jaworowski

Narrated by: Chris Ciulla, Jennifer Blom, John Pirhalla

This program features multicast narration.

Ken Jaworowski’s Small Town Sins is a gripping Rust Belt thriller that captures the characters of a down-and-out Pennsylvania town, revealing their troubled pasts and the crimes that could cost them their lives.

In Locksburg, Pennsylvania, a former coal and steel town whose best days seem long past, five thousand residents have toughed it out, and have reasons for both worry and hope as this neglected place teeters between decay and renewal. For some of them, their biggest troubles have just arrived.

After years of just scraping by, three restless souls have their lives upended: Nathan, a volunteer fireman who uncovers a secret stash of money in a burning building and takes it; Callie, a nurse whose tender patient may not have long to live, despite the girl’s fundamentalist parents’ ardent beliefs; and Andy, a recovering heroin addict who undertakes a nightmare mission to hunt down and stop a serial predator.

Before long, Nathan’s stolen riches threaten to destroy everyone around him as he tries to cover his haphazard trail of lies. Callie risks her career to grant her young patient a final, and likely illegal, wish. And Andy’s hunger for vigilante justice becomes a fierce obsession that may end in violence.

As their stories barrel toward unexpected ends, Nathan, Callie, and Andy struggle to endure—or escape. They each face their pasts and gamble on their futures, and confront the underside of their rough Rust Belt town. Riveting, evocative, and unforgettable, Small Town Sins is a debut novel that marks the arrival of a major new talent.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.

©2023 Ken Jaworowski (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“A deeply evocative thriller that lives at the intersection of bad decisions and bad luck, Small Town Sins is an extraordinary debut, which will have you riveted from page one.” —Laura Dave, author of The Last Thing He Told Me

“Jaworowski is a brilliant storyteller…and a merciless one. His three main characters draw bad card after bad card. It would be a daunting world to visit if it weren’t so redeemed by the startling generosity and warmth of Jaworowski’s writing: he pulls your heartstrings till they snap. And he’s written a gripping, poignant book.” —Scott Smith, author of A Simple Plan

“Imagine my delight at this wonderful little book, this riotous cross-section of John Irving and Jim Thompson. These characters breathe the same air other people breathe, they work jobs like real people do. An addictive read from its first page, Small Town Sins pays the reader’s attention back with love. A crime book that kept surprising me with its warmth and vigor page after page—it’s a delight, well-told and deeply felt.” —John Darnielle, author of Devil House

Sad but redemptive

Well written gritty story about small town life, focused on three separate characters each facing a major decision. These characters have had sad lives; the ending gives each of them a chance for redemption. All the narrators were excellent.

A bit disjointed

This is a novel that revolves around three people in a small town. They are very complicated characters and it's hard to follow at times. Their stories basically come together at the end, but in a gritty sort of way that I didn't think played well. I think the writer was going for a realistic and dramatic conclusion but in my view, missed the mark. However, I do think Mr. Jaworowski is a talented story teller/author.

Brutal, dark but filled with hope - highly recommend!

Fantastic character development! The 3 main characters each face extreme morally challenging dilemmas & have to make difficult decisions regarding the complex & unusual situations they find themselves in. There is a ton of heartbreak with some optimistic hope, humor & karma thrown in. I finished this book fairly quickly since it sucked me right in & I was consumed with what will happen next? This would be an excellent novel for book clubs for “what work you do?” types of discussions. The heroin addict is the unlikely hero in this novel - I felt much compassion for him & was rooting for him through out.

Relentlessly dark

This is one of the bleakest listens I have endured. I found it difficult to care for the self destructive characters and their despair. It was very painful. Instead of hope, I came away feeling depressed.

Hooked from beginning to end

Loved it, Chapter format perfectly framed the story. Had a Tennessee Williams vibe. Would love to see this on stage.

Exciting!

Loved the expressions the the readers expressed in their voices. Also enjoyed the various descriptions of the areas and people in the book. Can’t wait to read his next book and hope it is exciting as this one was.

2 of the 3

Loved this book. Really liked 2 of the three characters … the third he was hard to care for but he was well written.
I really want a sequel. I felt like at the end I was like what the heck!?!?
Solid 4 stars

Loved the 3 different stories

Wow. Loved it. The end with Harvey was Stunning!! Love love love Andy. Callie is the sweetest soul.

Easy read

Bought this strictly to support the author because the author is family of a good friend (Bier if the author reads this) but quickly realized this was actually a good book! character development and structure kept me interested front to back and because it's just under 8hrs I listened straight through.

Great stories that are realistic and compelling.

Small Town Sins was a surprise listen. Purchased it on a whim and it went beyond my expectations. Very good book and narration.