James Sallis has once again written a classic, and to my mind one his best, Willnot will be as popular as all his other novels and stories. Not quite a literary crime novel more the story of a middle aged doctor, in small town America, who is trying to come to terms with his own mortality. Willnot is a small town that is full of eccentrics who are aware that they are just ‘visiting’ and that life goes on. Dr Lamar Hale is the local doctor, knows everyone’s aches and pains. The pace of life changes when several bodies are discovered just outside the town, and the local town found all this disconcerting. At the same time, Bobby Lowndes, reappears after years away, a marine come home to visit, is being followed by the FBI. Over the following months we see life in this small time through the eyes of Hale, as he and his partner Richard act as the town conscience. Throughout the book you get the feel for the day to day life of what it must be like to be a doctor not only in practice but always having to act as the local surgeon. Hale is the antidote to his partner Richard who as a teacher, is always philosophising about life in general. We would say that Hale and Richard are married in every sense of the word, but at the same time there is no preaching, people just accept them for who they are. This is a beautifully written book with wonderfully drawn characters, there are depths to them, which makes this such a pleasant read. As the events unfold there is some tension which aids the noir twist, but you still get the feeling that whatever happens, life just goes on. This is a classic James Sallis story, which is well written and takes you to another place a brilliant piece of escapism. Willnot might be short, but it packs a punch many weightier books fail to deliver.

I was quite intrigued when I was sent another James Sallis book to review as I'm still rather in two minds about the last one! What can I say about this book? What did I honestly think? Well firstly I really couldn't get to grips with how the book was written. It's quite loose and rambling in style and I found that at times, in fact quite often, I really had to think about what had just happened or what had been said, or even re-read a section to actually get a handle on it! It's not really a crime/mystery/thriller story, it's more a sort of collection of musings/journal by the protagonist Lamar Hale, on his life and the people that live, work and pass through the town of Willnot. When I reached the end of the book I actually found that I had rather enjoyed it but also that I felt that I had somehow not done it justice. The book has such a wonderful use of language that I began to feel I had missed out by taking so long to get into the rhythm of the prose. The day after I finished the book (which is quite slight) I made the quite remarkable decision to read it again straight away! This time, because I had already settled into and accepted the style of writing, I found I was able to immerse myself in it totally and really enjoy James Sallis' unique voice. I intend to revisit the previous book (Others of My Kind) to see if my initial view has changed since reading Willnot and will definitely be reading more James Sallis in the future.

James Sallis produces a wonderful account of small town America, beautifully written with loveable characters, no definative ending but a joy to read. i look forward to his next novel he never disappoints for me

I have been a James Sallis fan since 'Long Legged Fly' (1992), first in the Lew Griffin New Orleans PI series. Sallis is a master of literary crime fiction. Original even when on familiar territory. Best known for 'Drive' (2005) later a critically acclaimed Ryan Gosling movie (2011). Willnot is shaken by the discovery of a burial pit in the woods containing the remains of several bodies. Shortly after a stranger 'Bobby' Lowndes turns up in Dr. office recalling a distant connection in the past. No sooner does 'Bobby' disappear when FBI agent Ogden turns up wanting to know about Hale's connection to Lowndes. 'BOBBY' has a mysterious military record and someone is out to kill him. Over the next several months Dr. Hale observes the daily life of Willnot (the routines, anxieties, medical conditions). All against the background of the hunt for 'Bobby' Lowndes and the uncovering of the corpses. The sense of tragedy to come juxtaposed with town life give the novel it's noir feel. Naturally there are consequences. This is literary crime fiction at its best. Wonderfully drawn characters and personal stories that stay with you. A revealing look at town life with its issues and tensions and a real sense of disquiet. Just like real life answers lead to more questions. Some how Sallis manages in spare prose to titillate with philosophical musings that fit the story perfectly. Easy to read but with real depth this is Sallis writing at his best. Highly recommended.

Willnot, a small American town, home to a doctor and a teacher, an ex-army drifter, and a pit of decaying bodies in trunks, is a place I could understand the social complexities of. Slowly and intriguingly the story unfolds, subtly and humorous and carefully. Not all questions are answered, and this corresponds with the welcome array of philosophical ideas and quotes throughout, and indeed life itself. This is literary crime for thinkers and offers something really different to your classic thriller, reminding you crime doesn’t have to be gory and fast paced to entertain and inspire. The characters are beautifully formed, unique enough to carry the narrative with pleasure and I’d be happy to be a friend of Doctor Hale. The writing is of a high quality, full of observations on life and enjoyable, and I love the rainbow front cover too. I’ve never read James Sallis before but I certainly will again, this book was a fabulous first example and I’m glad I tried something new.