Publishers Weekly
★ 01/27/2020
Pisarcik’s outstanding debut begins in the aftermath of a tragedy. Three years after teenagers Mathew Fenn and William Downing died in a burst of violence triggered by heroin and fentanyl, Matthew’s mother, Ruth, remains shunned by the townsfolk of North Falls, Vt. Though everyone in the dying town at least ignores the flood of illegal drugs, Ruth is slowly coming to terms with the fact that she does deserve personal blame; she should have done more to protect her son. Meanwhile, she meets Milk Raymond, an alienated Afghan War vet who’s trying to figure out how to be a father to his son, Daniel, who has been traumatized by his mother’s addiction. Then Ruth’s husband vanishes, along with William’s father. And so Ruth is forced into an awkward, tentative, altogether convincing investigation. Familiar landscapes become quietly ominous as the characters set about doing what they have to do. The action builds toward a devastating yet mildly hopeful conclusion. Pisarcik is a writer to watch. Agent: Alec Shane, Writers House. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Before Familiar Woods:
“Poignant and searingly authentic, Pisarcik's mesmerizing, heartfelt debut pulls you in and doesn't let go—a haunting testament to survival of family and community in a poor and desperate landscape.”
—Kim Michele Richardson, New York Times bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
“Before Familiar Woods, a novel dripping with heart and grit and tears, is an electrifying debut from Ian Pisarcik. Rarely are thrillers this elegantly told and seldom full of such beauty. Like all the best tales, this compelling story feels like it has been sitting in the dark for centuries waiting patiently to be told by someone with Pisarcik’s immense talent and empathy. I will be first in line for anything he writes after this.”
—Christopher J. Yates, author of Black Chalk and Grist Mill Road
“Pisarcik wields a poet’s eye, stacking images for a novel that flips and turns like the pages of a photo album. Before Familiar Woods is ripe with unforgettable characters. This is a debut to savor.”
—David Joy, author of The Line That Held Us
“Ian Pisarcik has written the best kind of thriller: gritty, dark, and tragically human. Intriguing mysteries keep the pages turning, but it is this novel’s people—roughhewn, fractured, grasping for family—who linger long after the covers close.”
—John Larison, author of Whiskey When We’re Dry
“Before Familiar Woods conveys its people and its landscape in striking ways—taking us through peaks and valleys, shadows and sunlight, beauty and brutality…A well-wrought delivery of emotion and place.”
—Michael Farris Smith, author of The Fighter and Desperation Road
“Outstanding…Pisarcik is a writer to watch.”
—Publishers Weekly starred review
“Beautifully done and will certainly strike a chord with readers who appreciate the similar styles of Daniel Woodrell and David Joy.”
—Booklist
“If you enjoy dark, gritty dramas, you will enjoy this book.”
—Manhattan Book Review
