There Will Be Stars by Billy Coffey

  

   Coffey once again spins a tale centered in the town of Mattingly. I have looked at this area before back in 2014 when I reviewed The Devil Walks in Mattingly. This time around the story is easier to follow.

   The main character is Bobby Barnes who along with six other characters keep living the same day over and over again. They are not allowed to die. There is uncompleted business each has. Until they complete the task, they cannot be released to death.

   Bobby is the character we see the action through. He notices the decay coming around him and strives to escape before all is destroyed. Where ever he is appears to be a place of danger.

   Time seems to play a part in the plot.

    I am not sure I understand the message. Each book has a message or else it wouldn’t be published.

    The fly leaf suggests the search for truth. If so, it wasn’t clear to me. What was clear to me is Coffey writes stories about a place called Mattingly attempting to convey some truth.

     I would recommend this book as a good read.

     I was sent this book free from Book Look Bloggers for the purpose of a review. I was not required to fall in love with it in order to keep my position as a reviewer.

The Devil Walks in Mattingly by Billy Coffey

            Some books can be read once and the theme and story are clear. There are also some that take a careful, close reading and attention to story line to discern what is happening.        This book by Coffey seems to be the latter.

                Every book has a theme. A possible theme would be redemption

                It is told in three voices. Jake Barnett, the towns’ sheriff, Kate, his wife, and a mountain man called Taylor Hathcock. Years ago, when they were children, they all knew Philip McBride, now dead. Ruled a suicide but they all feel they had a part in his death. Now years later they are adjusting in their own way.

                Another main character is a young girl named Lucy. She is troubled and seeks to be independent. She interfaces with our three major characters.

                Kate is trying to do good to pay for her part in the past. Jake has become the sheriff but one that is not decisive. Taylor has gone crazy and goes around killing people to set them free from the dream.  Now the three of them are being haunted by Philip.

                Another murder happens. Taylor has killed a boy to set him free from this life. Lucy has run away from home and runs into Taylor and they bond. It is up to Jake to find her.  Jake has to prove himself worthy of being sheriff.

                It is hard to place it in a genre. It is not a Christian horror tale nor a suspense thriller. But it tries to be in the psychological mystery motif. I guess this is the best I can do when it comes to determination of storytelling style.

                Having said that I would not advise a person to think it will be light reading. I recommend this book for people who enjoy strange tales.

                I was sent this book free by BookSneeze as part of their BookLook blog review team. I was not required to give a positive review. The views expressed are those of the reviewer and not the publisher.