Holding Lies

The subculture of fishing guides and the lore of steelhead trout provide an evocative background for Larison's debut, a thriller set in the breathtaking Oregon wilderness. At 59, Hank Hazelton brings mostly wealthy clients to his special spots along the Ipsyniho River. The river has never lost its allure, but life as a guide has left Hank alone, with little money. Hank becomes a suspect when he finds abandoned in the rapids a bloodied boat belonging to Justin Morell, the most vocal of a group of younger guides who give away fishing secrets, steal clients, and have little respect for the "river etiquette." Meanwhile, he both dreads and anticipates a visit from his only daughter, whom he hasn't seen in 14 years. Larison romanticizes Oregon's outdoors and the tight-knit river guide community without overly sentimentalizing either and realistically explores the father and daughter reunion fraught with emotions and misunderstandings. Fans of C.J. Box will find much to like. (Aug.)