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Lost River
A blistering crime novel of the opioid epidemic--and its cops, villains, and victims--written by a twenty-five-year veteran of the DEA.
Angel, Kentucky: Just another one of America's forgotten places, where opportunities vanished long ago, and the opioid crisis has reached a fever pitch. When this small town is rocked by the vicious killing of an entire infamous local crime family, the bloody aftermath brings together three people already struggling with Angel's drug epidemic: Trey, a young medic-in-training with secrets to hide; Special Agent Casey Alexander, a DEA agent who won't let the local law or small-town way of doing things stand in her way; and Paul Mayfield, a former police chief who's had to watch his own young wife succumb to addiction.
Over the course of twenty-four hours, loyalties are tested, the corrupt are exposed, and the horrible truth of the largest drug operation in the region is revealed. And though Angel will never be the same again, a lucky few may still find hope.
Angel, Kentucky: Just another one of America's forgotten places, where opportunities vanished long ago, and the opioid crisis has reached a fever pitch. When this small town is rocked by the vicious killing of an entire infamous local crime family, the bloody aftermath brings together three people already struggling with Angel's drug epidemic: Trey, a young medic-in-training with secrets to hide; Special Agent Casey Alexander, a DEA agent who won't let the local law or small-town way of doing things stand in her way; and Paul Mayfield, a former police chief who's had to watch his own young wife succumb to addiction.
Over the course of twenty-four hours, loyalties are tested, the corrupt are exposed, and the horrible truth of the largest drug operation in the region is revealed. And though Angel will never be the same again, a lucky few may still find hope.
446 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2020
About the author
J. Todd Scott
10 books328 followersA retired federal law enforcement agent with thirty years of experience, J. Todd Scott was a finalist for the 2024 International Thriller Writers Award for Best Paperback Original and is the critically acclaimed author of six crime, suspense, and thriller novels. He is also a film and TV producer and screenwriter, most recently for the Paramount+ series Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
Find Todd at JTODDSCOTT.COM.
Find Todd at JTODDSCOTT.COM.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
October 26, 2020
Lost River is an outstanding novel from J. Todd Scott who has been a federal DEA agent for more than twenty years and who thus has had a front row seat watching the ravages of drug addiction and the toll it has taken on millions of Americans and on the country as a whole. This book, his fourth, is set in the dying community of Angel in eastern Kentucky.
The fictional town of Angel once thrived on the business of coal mining, and the substance most often abused there was moonshine whiskey. But after raping the land and leaving it devastated, the mining companies have moved on, taking the jobs with them, and leaving the town and its remaining inhabitants as badly bruised and damaged as the land itself.
Few of the people left in Angel have any sort of jobs at all, let alone anything that might be construed as meaningful or rewarding, and way too many of them have turned for comfort, first to opioids and then to heroin. A criminal clan controlled by a large family known as the Glassers now controls the local drug supply and much of the town itself. The local police force has been hopelessly corrupted, and in consequence, no one is about to challenge the Glassers and no one is able to deal with the destruction they've left in their wake.
As the book opens, a particularly potent and deadly heroin mix is working its way through the community, courtesy of the Glassers, and people are dying left and right. As this happens, Scott introduces the reader to a few of the characters still hanging on in Angel, including Dobie and Trey, the two young men who constitute what passes for the local ambulance service, and through their eyes, we get a gut-wrenching view of the toll that the drug epidemic is taking on the small community.
Suddenly, though, on a day when Dobie and Trey are racing from one call to the next, the word goes out that there's been a massacre at the Glasser family compound. Virtually all of the Glassers appear to have been slaughtered and this brings the DEA to Angel, in the person of Agent Casey Alexander, a woman with a past and scars of her own.
The story plays out over the span of twenty-four hours as Alexander and her partner attempt to make sense out of the developments at the Glasser compound while trying to sort through the tangled relationships of the people in Angel. The story is brilliantly written and populated with a cast of well-drawn and believable characters. The setting is very well done and as the tension builds through the second half of the book, it's almost impossible to put down.
This is not a story that's going to leave any reader in excellent spirits. It's an impossibly depressing tale, all the more so for the truth it exposes about the opioid crisis that is currently taking such a heavy toll, particularly in some parts of rural America. Still, for all the tragedy that inhabits this story, it's impossible to look away, and this is a book that will haunt readers for a long time after they've read the final pages.
The fictional town of Angel once thrived on the business of coal mining, and the substance most often abused there was moonshine whiskey. But after raping the land and leaving it devastated, the mining companies have moved on, taking the jobs with them, and leaving the town and its remaining inhabitants as badly bruised and damaged as the land itself.
Few of the people left in Angel have any sort of jobs at all, let alone anything that might be construed as meaningful or rewarding, and way too many of them have turned for comfort, first to opioids and then to heroin. A criminal clan controlled by a large family known as the Glassers now controls the local drug supply and much of the town itself. The local police force has been hopelessly corrupted, and in consequence, no one is about to challenge the Glassers and no one is able to deal with the destruction they've left in their wake.
As the book opens, a particularly potent and deadly heroin mix is working its way through the community, courtesy of the Glassers, and people are dying left and right. As this happens, Scott introduces the reader to a few of the characters still hanging on in Angel, including Dobie and Trey, the two young men who constitute what passes for the local ambulance service, and through their eyes, we get a gut-wrenching view of the toll that the drug epidemic is taking on the small community.
Suddenly, though, on a day when Dobie and Trey are racing from one call to the next, the word goes out that there's been a massacre at the Glasser family compound. Virtually all of the Glassers appear to have been slaughtered and this brings the DEA to Angel, in the person of Agent Casey Alexander, a woman with a past and scars of her own.
The story plays out over the span of twenty-four hours as Alexander and her partner attempt to make sense out of the developments at the Glasser compound while trying to sort through the tangled relationships of the people in Angel. The story is brilliantly written and populated with a cast of well-drawn and believable characters. The setting is very well done and as the tension builds through the second half of the book, it's almost impossible to put down.
This is not a story that's going to leave any reader in excellent spirits. It's an impossibly depressing tale, all the more so for the truth it exposes about the opioid crisis that is currently taking such a heavy toll, particularly in some parts of rural America. Still, for all the tragedy that inhabits this story, it's impossible to look away, and this is a book that will haunt readers for a long time after they've read the final pages.
June 25, 2024
LOST RIVER was my first book by J. Todd Scott and will not be my last. A whip-fast, ultra-violent and true-to-life rural crime drama involving a Kentucky drug family and the effect that family has on those who grow up within their aura of violence.
Scott's prose is taut and vicious, and his 25 years of experience as a DEA agent brings an ultra-realism to the proceedings that makes it both frightening and heartbreaking.
A top-notch read. Highly recommend.
Scott's prose is taut and vicious, and his 25 years of experience as a DEA agent brings an ultra-realism to the proceedings that makes it both frightening and heartbreaking.
A top-notch read. Highly recommend.
November 17, 2020
Lost River by J. Todd Scott opens with a bang as Little Paris Glasser, one of the main characters, harangues one of his drug runners for the incompetent dumping of a foe’s corpse. From then on, those who enjoy “Southern Noir” and “Grit Lit” know they have a gem on their hands.
In Angel, Kentucky, the Glasser family—made almost untouchable by payoffs and intimidation of many governmental authorities—controls nearly all the illicit activity in the region. Little Paris Glasser, the youngest in the family, is more than happy when people part to avoid his nasty presence. Even better when those in need of his wares share his company, for a price.
Drug Enforcement Agent, Casey Alexander, and her partner have come to Angel to deal with a rash of drug overdose deaths. Violence permeates the area, with dangerous foes from every corner. And on account of the local corruption, both must walk a delicate path when it comes to who to trust, including law enforcement officers in the pocket of the Glasser family.
Everyone is touched and harmed by America’s unquenchable thirst for opioids.
J. Todd Scott tells the story of Lost River in an exceptional way, developing each character—warts and all—to reveal themselves as believable. He paints a striking picture of how substance abuse permeates all aspects of American society, with the wreckage left behind free of glamour or gloss. The novel is not all misery, however, and includes sparks of hope when it comes to these destructive substances and their toll.
The bottom line: J. Todd Scott is the real deal. Readers are encouraged to seek out his earlier novels, especially if they enjoy the writings of Daniel Woodrell, William Gay, Ace Atkins, Larry Brown, Tom Franklin, and other (too many to name) fine writers of Southern Noir.
This review originally appeared at MysteryandSuspsense.com
In Angel, Kentucky, the Glasser family—made almost untouchable by payoffs and intimidation of many governmental authorities—controls nearly all the illicit activity in the region. Little Paris Glasser, the youngest in the family, is more than happy when people part to avoid his nasty presence. Even better when those in need of his wares share his company, for a price.
Drug Enforcement Agent, Casey Alexander, and her partner have come to Angel to deal with a rash of drug overdose deaths. Violence permeates the area, with dangerous foes from every corner. And on account of the local corruption, both must walk a delicate path when it comes to who to trust, including law enforcement officers in the pocket of the Glasser family.
Everyone is touched and harmed by America’s unquenchable thirst for opioids.
J. Todd Scott tells the story of Lost River in an exceptional way, developing each character—warts and all—to reveal themselves as believable. He paints a striking picture of how substance abuse permeates all aspects of American society, with the wreckage left behind free of glamour or gloss. The novel is not all misery, however, and includes sparks of hope when it comes to these destructive substances and their toll.
The bottom line: J. Todd Scott is the real deal. Readers are encouraged to seek out his earlier novels, especially if they enjoy the writings of Daniel Woodrell, William Gay, Ace Atkins, Larry Brown, Tom Franklin, and other (too many to name) fine writers of Southern Noir.
This review originally appeared at MysteryandSuspsense.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2021
I spotted Lost River by J. Todd Scott at my favorite crime bookstore in Minnesota but decided to be good and check it out from the library since I haven't read this author before. I don't usually read books that touch on current issues, but this sounded so good that I had to give it a shot and I am very glad I did! I had no idea this came out in 2020, but that doesn't matter since it is still very applicable today, and I can't believe I didn't even know it existed. Scott works for the DEA and it really came through in his writing, everything is very well thought out and it was very clear to me that he knows what he is talking about when it comes to the opioid epidemic. The plot felt scarily realistic, and I had to keep reminding myself it is a fictional story. There are a few different viewpoints as well as different time periods which got confusing to me at times, but overall it wasn't too hard to follow along with what was happening. There is plenty of action in this novel and I could see it making an incredible movie.
The setting of Angel, Kentucky was very interesting, and it was obvious that we were in the deep south. I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by T. Ryder Smith who I have never heard narrate before. When the action hit his narration would get very fast and frantic, and it really upped the suspense and anxiety in those situations. I thought his voice seemed perfect for all of the characters which are mainly men, and although I had to slow the audiobook down so I heard everything he was saying, this was not an issue and I really enjoyed listening to him. Our only female viewpoint came from Special Agent Casey Alexander, and I loved her character. I think Scott could easily center a series around her and would definitely listen to/read it if he did. This is a very "manly" novel, and I think any guy or gal that loves reading and action movies would love Lost River. I enjoy a good action movie myself and if this ever actually does come out as a movie, I will totally watch it! It shocked me in some great ways, and my mouth dropped open at a couple of reveals, so I am glad I took a chance and picked this up.
The setting of Angel, Kentucky was very interesting, and it was obvious that we were in the deep south. I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by T. Ryder Smith who I have never heard narrate before. When the action hit his narration would get very fast and frantic, and it really upped the suspense and anxiety in those situations. I thought his voice seemed perfect for all of the characters which are mainly men, and although I had to slow the audiobook down so I heard everything he was saying, this was not an issue and I really enjoyed listening to him. Our only female viewpoint came from Special Agent Casey Alexander, and I loved her character. I think Scott could easily center a series around her and would definitely listen to/read it if he did. This is a very "manly" novel, and I think any guy or gal that loves reading and action movies would love Lost River. I enjoy a good action movie myself and if this ever actually does come out as a movie, I will totally watch it! It shocked me in some great ways, and my mouth dropped open at a couple of reveals, so I am glad I took a chance and picked this up.
June 19, 2020
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read and review.
LOST RIVER by J. Todd Scott is a novel that takes place in a rural area of Kentucky where the opioid epidemic has a stronghold in the recent rise in deaths by overdose in the community, and the massacre of a criminal family that had previously been considered untouchable due to the surveillance of their remote location, and the simple fact that nobody in their right mind would risk their wrath.
Casey, a special agent with the DEA, commits herself to the case after finding the sole survivor of the massacre; a baby covered in blood that appears to be just out of reach of her murdered mother.
Several others with involvement with the criminal family, including a former police chief with a young wife that has a drug addiction, work their way into the story and give Casey more incentive to get to the bottom of everything, including the whereabouts of the youngest son who’s body wasn’t part of the body count at the massacre site.
Can Casey overcome her own past failure and post traumatic stress to both survive and solve the case?
Very good story where the presence of the effects of opiates in a rural area have a detrimental and far reaching effect on the entire community, and the ruthlessness of those who profit from it.
Admittedly, I’m a sucker for rural crime novels, and also characters who struggle to overcome circumstances they’ve known an entire lifetime, and the feeling of hopelessness prevalent in the places they live; yet somehow rising above their circumstances due to the inherent sense of right and wrong, and the commitment to not give up in spite of everything that gets in the way.
4 stars.
LOST RIVER by J. Todd Scott is a novel that takes place in a rural area of Kentucky where the opioid epidemic has a stronghold in the recent rise in deaths by overdose in the community, and the massacre of a criminal family that had previously been considered untouchable due to the surveillance of their remote location, and the simple fact that nobody in their right mind would risk their wrath.
Casey, a special agent with the DEA, commits herself to the case after finding the sole survivor of the massacre; a baby covered in blood that appears to be just out of reach of her murdered mother.
Several others with involvement with the criminal family, including a former police chief with a young wife that has a drug addiction, work their way into the story and give Casey more incentive to get to the bottom of everything, including the whereabouts of the youngest son who’s body wasn’t part of the body count at the massacre site.
Can Casey overcome her own past failure and post traumatic stress to both survive and solve the case?
Very good story where the presence of the effects of opiates in a rural area have a detrimental and far reaching effect on the entire community, and the ruthlessness of those who profit from it.
Admittedly, I’m a sucker for rural crime novels, and also characters who struggle to overcome circumstances they’ve known an entire lifetime, and the feeling of hopelessness prevalent in the places they live; yet somehow rising above their circumstances due to the inherent sense of right and wrong, and the commitment to not give up in spite of everything that gets in the way.
4 stars.
November 13, 2020
'Lost River' is another strong effort by J. Todd Scott, a writer whose previous work about the drug issues along the Texas-Mexico border has brought comparisons to the great Don Winslow. Though Lost River's setting is in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, it covers a lot of the same ground: drugs, the cartel, violence, and their impact on the user population. It's scary good.
Lost River begins with the murder of an MS13 drug runner by the kingpin of the local dealer network, the current 'king' of that part of Kentucky, Little Paris. In his drugged out fog, he didn't anticipate the blowback, in the form of a bloody massacre by the cartel of pretty much everyone present at Little Paris' headquarters, except possibly for Little Paris himself. The DEA, led by young female badass special agent Casey Alexander and her old-guy partner Van Dorn get involved, along with the FBI and local cops from several nearby jurisdictions. Casey and Van Dorn focus their efforts on finding Little Paris, whom they believe didn't perish in the massacre. While the investigation proceeds, drug users are dropping like flies due to Little Paris' selling of a much more potent type of heroin. Along the way to the nasty conclusion, we learn Casey's backstory along with the interconnections between the many players, both on the law enforcement and the drug user community, that make this such a richly layered story.
Scott is a wonderful writer, expertly mixing the local idiom with his beautifully written narrative. The dialogue is perfectly captured and I can almost seem to hear it spoken as I'm reading it, which to me is a pretty good indicator of its quality. The characters, especially Casey and Van Dorn but also a few of the locals who figure prominently in the action, are expertly drawn as the plot advances via the use of flashbacks.
Each one of J. Todd Scott's novels is a gem with lots of grit and violence but also strong characters with principles. Pick any one and enjoy.
Lost River begins with the murder of an MS13 drug runner by the kingpin of the local dealer network, the current 'king' of that part of Kentucky, Little Paris. In his drugged out fog, he didn't anticipate the blowback, in the form of a bloody massacre by the cartel of pretty much everyone present at Little Paris' headquarters, except possibly for Little Paris himself. The DEA, led by young female badass special agent Casey Alexander and her old-guy partner Van Dorn get involved, along with the FBI and local cops from several nearby jurisdictions. Casey and Van Dorn focus their efforts on finding Little Paris, whom they believe didn't perish in the massacre. While the investigation proceeds, drug users are dropping like flies due to Little Paris' selling of a much more potent type of heroin. Along the way to the nasty conclusion, we learn Casey's backstory along with the interconnections between the many players, both on the law enforcement and the drug user community, that make this such a richly layered story.
Scott is a wonderful writer, expertly mixing the local idiom with his beautifully written narrative. The dialogue is perfectly captured and I can almost seem to hear it spoken as I'm reading it, which to me is a pretty good indicator of its quality. The characters, especially Casey and Van Dorn but also a few of the locals who figure prominently in the action, are expertly drawn as the plot advances via the use of flashbacks.
Each one of J. Todd Scott's novels is a gem with lots of grit and violence but also strong characters with principles. Pick any one and enjoy.
November 9, 2020
An excellent book on this awful drug pandemic! The town is trying to get better but oh how sad...I never cried after reading a book...but this one took its toll.
July 31, 2020
“Lost River” is the story of life in Angel, Kentucky, a place where almost everyone is tied together by blood, marriage, or bad luck. Angel is a city with vacant shops and deserted streets heavy with shadows. Rural Kentucky moved beyond moonshining a long time ago, and replaced that with a more systemic problem, one that transcends poverty, social status, and financial assets -- pervasive drug use.
Scott tells the story from the point of view of various participants. Readers observe how they see the world, and how they continuously struggle with substance abuse on every level. The characters are complex and troubled, weighed down by a hundred invisible anchors, seeking lifelines they are never going to take. The vocabulary, syntax, and cadence reflect the poverty and isolation of their way of life, simple yet complex, traditional yet mired in modern events.
There is a bad batch of heroin spreading around the county and people are dropping like flies. A tiny dancing skeleton and letters DOA are stamped on the bags as a warning, the sort of secret that everyone knows. Every person is in danger; even the loose powder in the air is deadly to police and other first responders. The situation is complex with competing, even conflicting interests, the DEA, the County Sheriff’s Office, the Kentucky State Police, and The FBI, because someone always calls the FBI.
Angel’s lost souls are the real story, those for whom nothing will ever be enough, for whom there will never be a right time. Scott crafted a compelling and gut-wrenching story drawn from events and issues surrounding the very real opioid crisis. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT people die every day from an opioid overdose. I received a review copy of “Lost River” from J. Todd Scott, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Penguin Publishing Group. It is starkly realistic, gripping, and disturbing.
Scott tells the story from the point of view of various participants. Readers observe how they see the world, and how they continuously struggle with substance abuse on every level. The characters are complex and troubled, weighed down by a hundred invisible anchors, seeking lifelines they are never going to take. The vocabulary, syntax, and cadence reflect the poverty and isolation of their way of life, simple yet complex, traditional yet mired in modern events.
There is a bad batch of heroin spreading around the county and people are dropping like flies. A tiny dancing skeleton and letters DOA are stamped on the bags as a warning, the sort of secret that everyone knows. Every person is in danger; even the loose powder in the air is deadly to police and other first responders. The situation is complex with competing, even conflicting interests, the DEA, the County Sheriff’s Office, the Kentucky State Police, and The FBI, because someone always calls the FBI.
Angel’s lost souls are the real story, those for whom nothing will ever be enough, for whom there will never be a right time. Scott crafted a compelling and gut-wrenching story drawn from events and issues surrounding the very real opioid crisis. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT people die every day from an opioid overdose. I received a review copy of “Lost River” from J. Todd Scott, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Penguin Publishing Group. It is starkly realistic, gripping, and disturbing.
June 21, 2020
This story takes place in a small rural area of Kentucky. The story centers around the opioid crisis and the effects that it has on the people in the whole area whether the person is addicted or not. When the book begins it did take a while to get into it, I found it difficult at first with all of the different characters and which ones were going to be the main focus. Then at times, others would be added. When the DEA agent Casey is introduced the story begins to settle down and then you are intrigued to find out who took out the crime family from this mountain community? You also want to know how the former police chiefs’ wife ended up in the river. Who supplied the drugs laced with fentanyl which were killing a lot of the people?
I found that the author did a good job with a subject that most people don’t want to talk about but that affects everyone in some way or another every day. Though this was not a true story it very well could be and for those who don’t know EMT’S, Firefighter’s and Police Officers administer Narcan to be people that are experiencing overdoses on the street and have saved many people. A good story with good characters. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
I found that the author did a good job with a subject that most people don’t want to talk about but that affects everyone in some way or another every day. Though this was not a true story it very well could be and for those who don’t know EMT’S, Firefighter’s and Police Officers administer Narcan to be people that are experiencing overdoses on the street and have saved many people. A good story with good characters. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
July 26, 2020
Lost River is another knockout book by author J. Todd Scott. Writing with the elevated prose style he's used to great effect in the Big Bend series, Scott crafts a standalone thriller about crime and the opiod crisis in Kentucky, with guts, heart and dark poetry. I recommend this book to all of the crime and thriller readers that come into my book store.
July 4, 2020
J. Todd Scott is rapidly carving out a name for himself as a go-to thriller author who guarantees a violent, wild ride into the world of the criminal drug trade and all its incarnations. His Chris Cherry trilogy was a gritty modern western set on the Texas border. His latest novel, LOST RIVER, takes place in a different locale with new characters, but in many ways is his best and most insightful work to date.
The setting is rural Angel, Kentucky. Casey Alexander, who is assigned out of the Charleston, West Virginia, DEA office, and her partner, Terry Van Dorn, let things spin out for a while, introducing readers to the flora and fauna of the area, including a number of unforgettable characters on either side of the law. It isn’t always clear where some of these individuals reside, or if they straddle both sides depending on their situation, but the definite bad guys belong to an extended crime family known as the Glassers.
“Little Paris” Glasser is the first among equals of this group, a short-statured demon who controls the opioid trade in the small fiefdom he has carved out for himself. The depths of his depravity are still being fully plumbed as the novel reaches its conclusion. Alexander and Van Dorn aren’t introduced until the proceedings are well underway, the occasion being the massacre of (almost) the entire Glasser family by persons (initially) unknown.
Van Dorn is the older of the pair, and while he carries some baggage, he doesn’t hold a candle to Alexander. This doesn’t stop her from giving more than a flying fig about the people she encounters who are directly and indirectly affected by the opioid plague in the area, particularly a young medical transport assistant named Trey Dorado, who struggles to do the right thing (or something close to it), despite being ill-equipped to handle the multiple personal and professional burdens.
Alexander and Van Dorn attempt to follow an evidentiary trail that has been smoothed over by some of the folks who are supposed to be helping them. It is ultimately Alexander’s refusal to color within the lines that enables them to establish the motive for the mass murders and the catalyst behind them, even as the life of an innocent hangs in the balance during the apocalyptic conclusion.
This is a grim, dark tale that focuses on the effect of the opioid scourge among the rural poor and working class of Appalachia. Scott notes in his Acknowledgments that while the book is fiction, it draws from real-world happenings. The startling aftermath of one catastrophic event seems to be modeled after a similar occurrence that took place 90 minutes from where I sit typing these words. LOST RIVER resonated with me, and I suspect it will for you too.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
The setting is rural Angel, Kentucky. Casey Alexander, who is assigned out of the Charleston, West Virginia, DEA office, and her partner, Terry Van Dorn, let things spin out for a while, introducing readers to the flora and fauna of the area, including a number of unforgettable characters on either side of the law. It isn’t always clear where some of these individuals reside, or if they straddle both sides depending on their situation, but the definite bad guys belong to an extended crime family known as the Glassers.
“Little Paris” Glasser is the first among equals of this group, a short-statured demon who controls the opioid trade in the small fiefdom he has carved out for himself. The depths of his depravity are still being fully plumbed as the novel reaches its conclusion. Alexander and Van Dorn aren’t introduced until the proceedings are well underway, the occasion being the massacre of (almost) the entire Glasser family by persons (initially) unknown.
Van Dorn is the older of the pair, and while he carries some baggage, he doesn’t hold a candle to Alexander. This doesn’t stop her from giving more than a flying fig about the people she encounters who are directly and indirectly affected by the opioid plague in the area, particularly a young medical transport assistant named Trey Dorado, who struggles to do the right thing (or something close to it), despite being ill-equipped to handle the multiple personal and professional burdens.
Alexander and Van Dorn attempt to follow an evidentiary trail that has been smoothed over by some of the folks who are supposed to be helping them. It is ultimately Alexander’s refusal to color within the lines that enables them to establish the motive for the mass murders and the catalyst behind them, even as the life of an innocent hangs in the balance during the apocalyptic conclusion.
This is a grim, dark tale that focuses on the effect of the opioid scourge among the rural poor and working class of Appalachia. Scott notes in his Acknowledgments that while the book is fiction, it draws from real-world happenings. The startling aftermath of one catastrophic event seems to be modeled after a similar occurrence that took place 90 minutes from where I sit typing these words. LOST RIVER resonated with me, and I suspect it will for you too.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
Want to read
June 13, 2020I was so excited for this book.
When I received a review copy from Edelweiss thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons and Penguin Publishing Group I happily started reading. The book however, turned out to be, not really for me.
Despite my excitement and interest, I found I forced myself to read and I wasn't at all intrigued. I found Scott's writing to be quite complicated, requiring a constant and conscious effort just to keep reading on. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing something or the story was somewhat of a continuation of another story that was told before.
I managed to get 50 pages in and I wanted to finish just for the sake of finishing but it would keep me from some other, more essential reading. Sadly, I had to give up.
I don't think J. Todd Scott's writing is bad, I will at some time give The Far Empty a chance. I believe his style is unique and especially this book is intended for a different kind of reader than I am. I'm sure a lot of people will like Lost River. I'm just sad I won't be among them.
When I received a review copy from Edelweiss thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons and Penguin Publishing Group I happily started reading. The book however, turned out to be, not really for me.
Despite my excitement and interest, I found I forced myself to read and I wasn't at all intrigued. I found Scott's writing to be quite complicated, requiring a constant and conscious effort just to keep reading on. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing something or the story was somewhat of a continuation of another story that was told before.
I managed to get 50 pages in and I wanted to finish just for the sake of finishing but it would keep me from some other, more essential reading. Sadly, I had to give up.
I don't think J. Todd Scott's writing is bad, I will at some time give The Far Empty a chance. I believe his style is unique and especially this book is intended for a different kind of reader than I am. I'm sure a lot of people will like Lost River. I'm just sad I won't be among them.
September 29, 2020
Gritty and full of tension. Great new author!
January 13, 2022
I love this true and real world stuff, sad but that’s what we are in now !
August 7, 2020
In Lost River, by J. Todd Scott, the author again demonstrates his versatility and power as a writer. Here he has left behind his border trilogy and turned his attention to the deletorious effects of the opioid crisis in Kentucky. He does this so meticulously, it's clear his years in law enforcement have afforded him a firsthand knowledge of this epidemic.
February 17, 2021
A departure from the authors 3 previous books that took place in western Texas. This one takes place in the authors home state of Kentucky. It covers 1 day in a town devastated by drugs and opioid addiction, a massacre that wipes out the drug dealing family who control the town, the crooked cops being paid to look the other way and the devastating consequences of addiction and what it’s like to be with someone going through addiction.
No book covers the heartache of addiction suffered by someone close as well as this book.
No book covers the heartache of addiction suffered by someone close as well as this book.
March 8, 2020
This one revealed quite a bit about what the author has seen in his service. It is much darker than his other books and not really to my liking. I prefer the books about Chris Cherry. Still it was a good thrill reading it and I will recommend it to others. I have to thank Edelweiss, Penguin Publishing Group and G.P. Putnam's Sons for making J. Todd Scotts latest available to me. I don't know if Lost River is the first in a new series but it has the makings of being a good one.
December 12, 2022
J. Todd Scott needs to be talked about in the same sentences as Ellroy, Leonard, and Lehane. That is not hyperbole. Along with S.A. Cosby, Scott is writing some of the best contemporary crime fiction out there right now.
Much like his Big Bend trilogy, Scott’s Lost River is driven by his compelling characters - each one deeply flawed and carrying their own burdens, traumas, and secrets. The paths of an EMT trainee, a DEA agent, and a retired police chief come crashing together on the heels of a violent shoot out in a small Kentucky holler - a place where blood is thicker than water.
One thing that sets Lost River apart from the Big Bend trilogy is the grim and unflinching rawness with which Scott captures the opioid epidemic. While the grittiness and violence present in his preceding novels is just as present, Lost River is shot through with a punishing bleakness that sticks with you even after you’ve closed the book. If you’ve ever known or loved someone who’s battling an opioid addiction, you might end up seeing yourself among these pages, walking in the very same footsteps as Trey Dorado, Dobie Timmons, or Paul Mayfield.
The authenticity Scott brings to his work thanks to a 25 year career as a DEA agent is incredible, but the ease with which he uncoils his prose and ropes you in, and then paces the action en route to the knockout punch climax is damn near magical. I am a slow reader with a two year old at home, which means the little pockets of time I get to actually read are few and far between, and still, I ripped through Lost River’s 480 pages in what felt like a week (it was longer than that, but not by much.)
If you’re a fan of Leonard’s Raylan Givens stories (or the Justified tv series), or neo-noir western crime thrillers like Sicario and Hell or High Water, then J. Todd Scott is a name you need to have at the top of your list.
Much like his Big Bend trilogy, Scott’s Lost River is driven by his compelling characters - each one deeply flawed and carrying their own burdens, traumas, and secrets. The paths of an EMT trainee, a DEA agent, and a retired police chief come crashing together on the heels of a violent shoot out in a small Kentucky holler - a place where blood is thicker than water.
One thing that sets Lost River apart from the Big Bend trilogy is the grim and unflinching rawness with which Scott captures the opioid epidemic. While the grittiness and violence present in his preceding novels is just as present, Lost River is shot through with a punishing bleakness that sticks with you even after you’ve closed the book. If you’ve ever known or loved someone who’s battling an opioid addiction, you might end up seeing yourself among these pages, walking in the very same footsteps as Trey Dorado, Dobie Timmons, or Paul Mayfield.
The authenticity Scott brings to his work thanks to a 25 year career as a DEA agent is incredible, but the ease with which he uncoils his prose and ropes you in, and then paces the action en route to the knockout punch climax is damn near magical. I am a slow reader with a two year old at home, which means the little pockets of time I get to actually read are few and far between, and still, I ripped through Lost River’s 480 pages in what felt like a week (it was longer than that, but not by much.)
If you’re a fan of Leonard’s Raylan Givens stories (or the Justified tv series), or neo-noir western crime thrillers like Sicario and Hell or High Water, then J. Todd Scott is a name you need to have at the top of your list.
June 23, 2020
4.5 stars.
Lost River by J. Todd Scott is a gritty, atmospheric mystery.
Angel, Kentucky is in a deep economic decline but the drug business is booming for the Glasser family. They have deep roots in the area and the newest generation continues their lawless tradition. While local law enforcement ignores them, the DEA has been trying to build a case against them for quite some time. Special Agent Casey Alexendra and her partner Van Dorn arrive on the brutal scene where it appears the entire Glasser family and their cohorts have been horrifically gunned down.
Casey convinces paramedic in training Trey Dorado that it is in his best interest to help her locate people who might aid in the investigation. Van Dorn's long standing ties to the town lead them to the former Chief of Police Paul Mayfield who is in the midst of his difficulties. Will the assistance of the town's insiders lead them to the one person they believe might have escaped the carnage at the Glasser property?
Casey is dealing with her own ghosts as she doggedly works this newest case. Fighting her own demons, she tenaciously digs in her heels when Van Horn would rather regroup. She is a hardened and tough woman but she is also surprisingly compassionate and caring.
Van Dorn is a veteran DEA Agent who favors a more nuanced approach to uncovering information. He has cultivated many ties in the local area and despite his reservations, he turns to Mayfield for answers. The former police chief willingly answers their questions, but Casey is not so sure he has been completely honest with them.
Unfolding from different points of view, Lost River is a riveting mystery that is quite poignant. The setting is stark with the town's struggles with poverty and drug addiction always at the forefront of the story. Casey is a force to be reckoned with as she convinces Van Horn to continue their hunt for the elusive Glasser who appears to have escaped death. The storyline is well-developed and J. Todd Scott brings the novel to an explosive conclusion.
An outstanding novel that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Lost River by J. Todd Scott is a gritty, atmospheric mystery.
Angel, Kentucky is in a deep economic decline but the drug business is booming for the Glasser family. They have deep roots in the area and the newest generation continues their lawless tradition. While local law enforcement ignores them, the DEA has been trying to build a case against them for quite some time. Special Agent Casey Alexendra and her partner Van Dorn arrive on the brutal scene where it appears the entire Glasser family and their cohorts have been horrifically gunned down.
Casey convinces paramedic in training Trey Dorado that it is in his best interest to help her locate people who might aid in the investigation. Van Dorn's long standing ties to the town lead them to the former Chief of Police Paul Mayfield who is in the midst of his difficulties. Will the assistance of the town's insiders lead them to the one person they believe might have escaped the carnage at the Glasser property?
Casey is dealing with her own ghosts as she doggedly works this newest case. Fighting her own demons, she tenaciously digs in her heels when Van Horn would rather regroup. She is a hardened and tough woman but she is also surprisingly compassionate and caring.
Van Dorn is a veteran DEA Agent who favors a more nuanced approach to uncovering information. He has cultivated many ties in the local area and despite his reservations, he turns to Mayfield for answers. The former police chief willingly answers their questions, but Casey is not so sure he has been completely honest with them.
Unfolding from different points of view, Lost River is a riveting mystery that is quite poignant. The setting is stark with the town's struggles with poverty and drug addiction always at the forefront of the story. Casey is a force to be reckoned with as she convinces Van Horn to continue their hunt for the elusive Glasser who appears to have escaped death. The storyline is well-developed and J. Todd Scott brings the novel to an explosive conclusion.
An outstanding novel that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
June 22, 2020
Nine people and two dogs have just been shot to death. Two women and two men have just od'd. And a woman has drowned. And no one knows where Little Paris, along with his son Hardy, has gone but they're hunting him. This is dark gritty stuff. It's a topical novel set in Kentucky over a 24 hour time period and narrated in the third person by Trey, Casey, and Paul- an EMT, DEA Agent, and former police chief respectively. Trey's riding shotgun as an EMT while he cares for his mother in the absence of his father, a former police officer who took off. He's seen too much for a 17 year old. Casey is a DEA argent whose last assignment turned tragic, And Paul has just pulled his young second wife out of the river. The Glassers, who more or less run things because of their stranglehold on the opioid supply have, with the exception of the heinous Little Paris have just been slaughtered, likely by a Mexican cartel but that's not really the story here. This is about despair, addiction, corruption, and truth. It's also about learning to forgive oneself. I'll admit that I almost gave up on this early on- not because of the writing but because of the subject matter- but something-the writing- compelled me to keep reading and I'm very glad I did. The last scene was a surprise and I'm not sure if I like it- it casts a different tone. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. This isn't going to be for everyone but it's a great read.
May 1, 2024
I was not familiar with J. Todd Scott's books and somewhere along the way this book was suggested to me based on some of my previous favorites. I found in Scott's bio that some his literary influences are Cormac McCarthy, Donald Ray Pollock and James Lee Burke, all favorites of mine, so this book promised to suit my reading tastes. I'll have to say that it not only met, but exceeded my expectations and will certainly lead me to read more of this fine writer's work. The scene of this book is a dying former coal mining town in western Kentucky whose main industry appears to be drug trafficking: opioids, meth, heroin, and now heroin laced with fentanyl. The drug trade is controlled by the Glasser family, a multi-generational crime family involved in drugs, prostitution and most likely murder. The local police from the sheriff, the local police chief and even some of the KSP officers are all parties to the Glasser's activities whether actively involved or merely turning their heads the other way and ignoring the crimes. The slaughter of most of the Glasser clan and their associate by the Mexican cartel that has been their drug source throws DEA agents Casey and Van Dorn into forefront of the investigation. As a veteran DEA agent, Scott writes with the knowledge of a law enforcement officer who has dealt the drug abuse problem that has plagued our society for some time. The book is not only entertaining but is also very informative.
May 5, 2020
Wow! I really enjoyed this book. It started a bit slow, but man, does it build into a scorcher of a story. I found myself not able to put it down, staying up way to late at night reading it (one of the only good things to come out of the Coronavirus quarantine, I can read as much as I want).
Dealing with the opioid crisis plaguing the country, specifically the Kentucky area, the book delves into many facets, dealers, users and law enforcement. Many people filling multiple roles.
The characters are many, and their actions and motives are ever changing. The author reveals things a little at a time, you never know what is going to happen. He moves things around like a river, currents and eddies folding back onto each other, changing constantly.
I honestly was kept guessing until the end. And that's unusual for me, as I can usually predict what's going to happen by mid-point in a book.
The book's ending was wrapped up very well, leaving no loose ends. And was a surprise.
All in all, this was a great read. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author.
Dealing with the opioid crisis plaguing the country, specifically the Kentucky area, the book delves into many facets, dealers, users and law enforcement. Many people filling multiple roles.
The characters are many, and their actions and motives are ever changing. The author reveals things a little at a time, you never know what is going to happen. He moves things around like a river, currents and eddies folding back onto each other, changing constantly.
I honestly was kept guessing until the end. And that's unusual for me, as I can usually predict what's going to happen by mid-point in a book.
The book's ending was wrapped up very well, leaving no loose ends. And was a surprise.
All in all, this was a great read. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author.
June 23, 2020
J. Todd Scott stands out in a crowded field of mystery and suspense writers. His stories are always compelling and spot on. Scott shows us the underside of the world in which we live. Though not pretty, it is an environment that calls for attention and hopefully redemption. If that is not the case, we will continue down the opioid infested road that he so aptly describes.
While I have not visited the region where this wonderful book plays out, it could be anywhere in the world. Each character tells a story replete with drugs, violence, and all that these bring to a small town in the United States. The characters tell their own stories as they see them and we are privy to distinct and unique points of view as to how the story affects their lives and the people closest to them.
J. Todd Scott is an author to be savored and praised. Reading Lost River is a privilege and an awakening to a world that is rarely explored or experienced with the expertise and deftness that is seen in Lost River.
While I have not visited the region where this wonderful book plays out, it could be anywhere in the world. Each character tells a story replete with drugs, violence, and all that these bring to a small town in the United States. The characters tell their own stories as they see them and we are privy to distinct and unique points of view as to how the story affects their lives and the people closest to them.
J. Todd Scott is an author to be savored and praised. Reading Lost River is a privilege and an awakening to a world that is rarely explored or experienced with the expertise and deftness that is seen in Lost River.
July 2, 2020
I really enjoy this author’s books. After reading The Far Empty I was hooked. His next two novels are sequels to The Far Empty, and I have gotten to know and like protagonist Chris Cherry, the supporting characters and the amazing Texas setting.
While I’ve eagerly awaited Lost River, I was aware it was not part of the Chis Cherry series. I was not sure if I would like this “new” book as much as the others. I shouldn’t have had doubts though because author, J Todd Scott, is an outstanding story teller and so knowledgeable about the world in which his books dwell. This one had all the great characters, fascinating setting, and gritty tension of his other books. I love the complexity of his characters and plots. And, like in life, not everything may be neatly resolved, but he always pulls things together to the readers’ satisfaction.
Lost River is gritty...dark, violent and emotionally draining but also totally realistic and worth the time to read.
While I’ve eagerly awaited Lost River, I was aware it was not part of the Chis Cherry series. I was not sure if I would like this “new” book as much as the others. I shouldn’t have had doubts though because author, J Todd Scott, is an outstanding story teller and so knowledgeable about the world in which his books dwell. This one had all the great characters, fascinating setting, and gritty tension of his other books. I love the complexity of his characters and plots. And, like in life, not everything may be neatly resolved, but he always pulls things together to the readers’ satisfaction.
Lost River is gritty...dark, violent and emotionally draining but also totally realistic and worth the time to read.
October 24, 2021
This is a grim novel about the opioid crisis, a family drug cartel in Appalachia, and corrupt law enforcement. It's about the people affected by addiction, those the drugs are slowly destroying and the family members who are destroyed by their helplessness. It's also about the people who fight against the evil and darkness, the agents of the DEA and first responders. The book starts with a massacre and ends with a funeral, but also hope. Everything in between is fast paced and attention grabbing. The characters are complex and even the worst of them are written with an eye to how circumstances led them to their fates. You won't be able to put this one down.
The author is a DEA agent, so you know that in all likelihood he's seen the situations described in the book. That makes them all the more real and all the more terrifying. It makes just thanking him for his service seem inconsequential. I hope his life is filled with joy and few nightmares.
The author is a DEA agent, so you know that in all likelihood he's seen the situations described in the book. That makes them all the more real and all the more terrifying. It makes just thanking him for his service seem inconsequential. I hope his life is filled with joy and few nightmares.
July 3, 2020
This is dark, dirty, grisly business that’ll seep into your bones and leave you searching for answers to questions that have no answers. Addiction is real, it is painful, and it is spreading like wildfire, causing widespread damage in its path and leaving behind the blackened charred souls of family members that have seen all the misery they can possibly handle, and perpetually wonder whatever became of their old Kentucky home.
This book is harrowing, riveting stuff that drops you straight into the midst of today’s opioid crisis yet offers no lifelines, just the searing, scathing truth that’s right in front of our eyes.
Check out my full review and a great interview with the author on The Inside Flap Podcast - https://theinsideflap.com/2020/06/24/...
This book is harrowing, riveting stuff that drops you straight into the midst of today’s opioid crisis yet offers no lifelines, just the searing, scathing truth that’s right in front of our eyes.
Check out my full review and a great interview with the author on The Inside Flap Podcast - https://theinsideflap.com/2020/06/24/...
October 29, 2020
3.5 stars which is a better than average score for me. Different set of characters this time around but a similar despair as law enforcement struggles against the perpetual wave of loss caused by the drug industry. The background on Scott characters are always fully realized leading to some pretty lengthy stints when nothing happens but in the end the books always keep me interested and with strong endings.
This was at least my 3rd book this year dealing with hopelessness of drugs in America and they've all been pretty depressing (Dope by Sara Gran set in the 50's was awesome and Long Bright River , set in contemporary Philly, by Liz Moore was also very good. But none of these have very many uplifting moments.
Anybody have any suggestions for books about murder, mayhem and maliciousness that are uplifting? Send them my way.
This was at least my 3rd book this year dealing with hopelessness of drugs in America and they've all been pretty depressing (Dope by Sara Gran set in the 50's was awesome and Long Bright River , set in contemporary Philly, by Liz Moore was also very good. But none of these have very many uplifting moments.
Anybody have any suggestions for books about murder, mayhem and maliciousness that are uplifting? Send them my way.
October 3, 2021
Thank you to Goodreads and Kindle for this copy of Lost River by J. Todd Scott. I give this novel 3 1/2 Stars. I had the book for a year before I began to read, and for the first 100 Kindle pages I didn’t like any of the characters — I couldn’t relate to these eastern Kentucky small town folks, most in poverty and quite a few addicted to opioids and assorted other drugs. I perked up when the DEA agents became active participants in the story line, which is when the plot became more engaging.
This book, which I almost didn’t finish, ultimately became a story that reminded me of the perils of the drugs that in many cases were first ordered by a physician just for pain relief but quickly got out of hand. I did find not only some characters to care about, but also more than just a few of them. I’m glad I stayed with the book; I am happy to recommend it.
This book, which I almost didn’t finish, ultimately became a story that reminded me of the perils of the drugs that in many cases were first ordered by a physician just for pain relief but quickly got out of hand. I did find not only some characters to care about, but also more than just a few of them. I’m glad I stayed with the book; I am happy to recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2023
I had a problem with the point of view - omniscient? It made it so hard to get into the story, I found myself having to re read parts to make sense. I struggled throughout the whole book with this. Normally, I would have just given up & gone to another book but I had read 3 other books by Scott & I really liked them, and the story itself was good, I did want to know how it ended. But none of the characters were developed so I never really cared about them-which I blame on the POV. If I would’ve checked it out from the library I probably would’ve returned it unread but I wasted my money buying it so I fought my way through to the end. More character development & changing the POV may have made this a 4 or 5 star but as it stands I was disappointed in this one.
September 14, 2023
Another solid read in the growing J. Todd Scott catalogue. Using a rust belt town battling the opioid epidemic as a backdrop, Scott crafts a gripping story of interwoven characters and storylines from multiple viewpoints. The book doesn't challenge you to do a whole lot of reflection on the themes or overall message, but the brutally realistic dialogue and elevated prose make up for that. Personally, I think this is Scott's best novel to date from both a storytelling and writing standpoint. He had used multiple viewpoints in the Chris Cherry books, but I really liked how the reader stuck with the same character's viewpoint for long stretches of Lost River; the Casey Alexander viewpoint was probably my favorite. I tore through the last 200 pages to get to the end and was not disappointed.
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