Mr. Perry is an expert storyteller—employing flashbacks, shifting viewpoints and jaw-dropping twists. A Small Town unfolds like a 1950s film noir—crisp in execution and thrilling until the very end.
Somehow [Perry] finds something new to write about on an annual basis and, at the close of 2019, has presented us with A Small Town a satisfying novel of the manifestation of evil deeds and resultant revenge ... There are minor and major twists and turns throughout, some of which you may see coming and others of which you will never predict, including a satisfying ending that resolves everything ... However, A Small Town should not be mistaken for one of Perry’s best books. He stretches things just a bit more than usual ... That said, this is a solid tale of revenge...
...[an] uneven thriller ... The dramatic setup fails to compensate for two-dimensional characters, especially Leah, and often perfunctory action. In addition, the author misses the chance to consider such larger questions as the morality of Leah’s vigilante killings. Edgar-winner Perry has done better.
Though it’s deeply satisfying to see the first few ex-cons get their just deserts, Perry...is too wily a pro to follow Leah passively down the list ... A superior live-action version of the Road Runner cartoons with 12 coyotes and noncartoon violence.
