Set in Virginia, within the Appalachian area which is named the moonshine capital of the world, this novel options the Macready household – moonshiners for generations. Now although, the household has supposedly gone ‘straight’, leaving their nefarious previous behind them.

The story begins across the time of the Felon’s Ball, an annual get together hosted by the Macready household, this time additionally celebrating a milestone birthday of the patriarch, Trey Macready.

Trey has three grown daughters, and the ebook is predominately advised from the viewpoint of Natalie, who simply occurs to be having an affair together with her father’s greatest buddy, Ben Marsh. Shortly after the Felon’s Ball, Ben’s physique is discovered by Natalie. He was murdered!

Natalie needs to let Ben’s son know of his father’s destiny – nonetheless his son, Lanny, has not been seen or heard from for a number of years now, and nobody appears to know the place he’s.

Following the homicide, Natalie has a number of run-ins with the native sheriff, Hardy, who’s skeptical of the household’s historical past and interactions. Jay, Natalie’s brother-in-law, had a battle with Ben on the evening of his homicide. Jay agrees to satisfy with Natalie to debate issues, however he doesn’t present up. Now Jay too is lacking…

I need to admit, I didn’t actually take care of Natalie Macready who got here throughout as an entitled daughter, a considerably shallow lady, and a really implausible detective.

The revelation of a number of household secrets and techniques added to my enjoyment of the ebook, however not sufficient to raise it to a 4 star learn.

The Felon’s Ball was a multilayered story of difficult household dynamics and household tensions which are simmering…

Really useful with a couple of reservations.

This evaluate was written voluntarily and my score was on no account influenced by the truth that I acquired a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Harper by way of NetGalley.

Publication Date: July 15, 2025

ISBN: 9780063412064 – ASIN: B0DK2XGPR9 – 240 pages

Polly Stewart is the writer of The Good Ones. She grew up within the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the place she nonetheless lives. Her quick fiction has appeared in The Greatest American Thriller Tales, and her nonfiction has appeared within the New York Occasions, Good Housekeeping, and different publications. She writes the month-to-month Backlist column for CrimeReads.

Join with Polly Stewart by way of her official web site; Twitter/X; and/or Instagram.