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The River of Souls (The Matthew Corbett Novels) Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,107 ratings

“Macabre surprises abound” in this historical thriller by a New York Times–bestselling author, centered on the search for an escaped slave accused of murder (Publishers Weekly).
 
Accompanied by his new friend Magnus Muldoon, professional problem solver Matthew Corbett is in the Carolina colony, where three enslaved people have managed to flee their captors—one of them accused of killing the daughter of a plantation owner. Their quest to close the case will take Matthew and Magnus to the place known as “the River of Souls” as they encounter alligators and Native American warriors—and a terrifying being known as the Soul Cryer . . .
 
“Entertaining . . . [McCammon] nicely evokes America’s colonial past and deftly straddles the boundary between the explicable and the supernatural.” —
Publishers Weekly
 
Praise for the Matthew Corbett Novels
 
“The Corbett novels are rich, atmospheric stories, the kind of historical mystery that makes the reader feel as though he really has stepped back in time.” —
Booklist

“[An] extraordinary series.” —
Horrornews

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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

McCammon made his name in the 1980s and early ’90s as one of the preeminent American horror novelists; after a lengthy break from publication, he returned in 2002 with the first of the Matthew Corbett novels, which are not horror (although there are horrific elements). The fifth book in the series, set in 1703, finds the young investigator in Charles Town, Carolina, where a girl has been murdered. Local residents are quick to identify the prime suspect: an escaped slave, who has fled into the swamps. Corbett, however, has his doubts, and—even though he’s a member of the party hunting for the slave—he’s not sure the man is a killer. The Corbett novels are rich, atmospheric stories, the kind of historical mystery that makes the reader feel as though he really has stepped back in time. Matthew is a very well designed character, very much a man of his time but also ahead of his time, as though he has stepped out of a modern-day crime lab into the early eighteenth century. For the author’s fans, a definite must-read. --David Pitt

From the Inside Flap

The year is 1703. The place: the Carolina settlement of Charles Town. . Matthew Corbett, professional problem solver, has accepted a lucrative, if unusual, commission: escorting a beautiful woman to a fancy dress ball. What should be a pleasant assignment takes a darker turn when Matthew becomes involved in a murder investigation. A sixteen-year-old girl has been stabbed to death on the grounds of a local plantation. The suspected killer is a slave who has escaped, with two family members, into the dubious protection of a nearby swamp. Troubled by certain discrepancies and determined to see some sort of justice done, Matthew joins the hunt for the runaway slaves. He embarks on a treacherous journey up the Solstice River, also known as the River of Souls. He discovers that something born of the swamp has joined the hunt, and is stalking the hunters with more than murder in mind. What follows is a shattering ordeal encompassing snakes, alligators, exiled savages, mythical beasts, and ordinary human treachery. The journey up the River of Souls will test Matthew's courage, commitment, and powers of endurance. It will also lead him to a confrontation with a figure from his recent past, which will alter Matthew's life, setting the stage for the next installment in this compulsively readable series. Gripping, unsettling, and richly atmospheric, The River of Souls is a masterful historical adventure and a major addition to Robert McCammon's extraordinary body of work.featuring the continuing exploits of a young hero USA Today has called the Early American James Bond.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B099MSPGHP
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller (August 17, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 17, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6905 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 349 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,107 ratings

About the author

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Robert R. McCammon
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Robert McCammon is the New York Times bestselling author of nineteen novels, including the award-winning BOY'S LIFE and SPEAKS THE NIGHTBIRD. There are more than four million copies of his books in print. His 2018 novel, THE LISTENER, is set in the 1930s and is available now from Cemetery Dance Publications.

His newest novel, CARDINAL BLACK, was published by Cemetery Dance in 2019. It is the seventh novel in the Matthew Corbett series, which started with SPEAKS THE NIGHTBIRD.

Mr. McCammon is currently writing THE KING OF SHADOWS, the eighth novel in the Matthew Corbett series.

Visit his websites: www.robertmccammon.com and www.matthewcorbettsworld.com

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,107 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book enjoyable and well-written. They appreciate the interesting, larger-than-life characters and the likable hero. The story is described as entertaining and exciting, keeping readers engaged. Readers praise the author's writing style as well-thought-out and engrossing. The pace is described as fast and infectious. However, some feel the book is too short and focused on one aspect, while others consider it a good storyline with believable characters.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

64 customers mention "Readability"61 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find the story engaging and describe it as a solid chapter in the series. Readers appreciate the descriptive writing style and find the book entertaining.

"...The ending was unexpected and a good cliff-hanger leading into the next book...." Read more

"...The book is well-written. It is descriptive but not overly so...." Read more

"...very well told Matthew Corbett adventure series, but it was a very entertaining read. I think I would give it 4.6 stars...." Read more

"In this latest installment in the excellent series set in the early 1700's featuring the young problem-solver Matthew Corbett, Matthew is on edge..." Read more

25 customers mention "Character development"20 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the characters' development. They find the characters interesting, larger-than-life, and colorful. The river also becomes a character, just as much as the humans. Readers appreciate the likable hero and the perfect narration by Edoardo Ballerini.

"...It was a good story with several new characters. A lot of character development. Good flowing from one scene to the next...." Read more

"...Full of well-developed, complex characters, possessing a great story line and seamlessly mixing genres, I am reasonably sure that you will be glad..." Read more

"...and does a magnificent job of painting his stories and characters like a true artist...." Read more

"...It lacked the signature McCammon depth of character development that I am so addicted to. The story also felt a little short...." Read more

25 customers mention "Enjoyment"25 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it entertaining and exciting, with vivid locales and thrills and chills aplenty. The story keeps readers engaged and wanting more.

"...All of this is woven into a story the keeps the reader engaged and not wanting to put the book down...." Read more

"...Otherwise, the flavor of the tale may still be quite savory, but much of the richness of the ongoing story and development of the characters will..." Read more

"...-up to the Matthew Corbett adventures and a quick and entertaining summer-reading adventure!" Read more

"...is not much history in it but Mathew’s escapades in the swamps are very engaging...." Read more

22 customers mention "Writing quality"22 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book. They find it well-written and engaging. The author creates vivid descriptions of settings and characters that keep readers hooked.

"...It's a well thought out and written book. I don't feel I'm spoiling any thing when I say that Matthew is back in South Carolina...." Read more

"...The book is well-written. It is descriptive but not overly so...." Read more

"...The writing here is as good as ever, and it's something that will always when point from me with McCammon even when the story is mediocre which is..." Read more

"Robert McCammon is a wonderful storyteller, and does a magnificent job of painting his stories and characters like a true artist...." Read more

9 customers mention "Pace"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the fast-paced novels. They find them an enjoyable read that keeps them entertained.

"...the book is a worthy follow-up to the Matthew Corbett adventures and a quick and entertaining summer-reading adventure!" Read more

"This is a very short installment of the Matthew Corbett series. It is fast paced and action packed, but in the end it seems like a prelude to..." Read more

"...His writing is simply the best. He's never long winded,never slow or boring. Read him. This book does not disappoint either. !" Read more

"It’s a quick, at times brutal entry in the series that is well worth your time! The Matthew Corbett series never disappoints." Read more

73 customers mention "Story quality"48 positive25 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the story. Some find it engaging with a good plot and well-developed characters. They describe it as an exciting adventure that doesn't bore. However, others feel the story is too short and focused, lacking depth or a compelling mystery. The book feels rushed and over too quickly, especially in the final third.

"...It was a good story with several new characters. A lot of character development. Good flowing from one scene to the next...." Read more

"...The story did stand well on it's own, however had I known the continuing nature of the story and characters, I probably would have gone back to the..." Read more

"...And the book does feel a bit rushed, especially in it's final third, as if trying to wrap up the adventure as quickly as possible in order to get us..." Read more

"...Suffice it to say – blood, guts and gore abound, whether through acts of snakes, crocodiles, phantoms or the most fearful creature of all – man...." Read more

9 customers mention "Length"0 positive9 negative

Customers find the book too short.

"...This book is shorter than the other books, thus the story is not as long and involved...." Read more

"...atmosphere and vibrant characters to spare, just a pity that it's so brief." Read more

"...The only downside to this book is that it is much shorter than the others, which of course doesn't stop Subterranean Press from charging full-novel..." Read more

"...liked "The River of Souls" very much but I thought it was way too short, definitely more of a novella than a full length novel...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2015
    River of Souls by Robert McCammon
    January 17 to January 20, 2015
    Recommended by internet friends

    This is the fifth offering for the Matthew Corbett Series. In a way this is a difficult book for me to review. I want to review it as a stand alone book, but I cannot help comparing it to the other Corbett stories. This book is shorter than the other books, thus the story is not as long and involved. I missed the longer more involved story while at the same time appreciated the story as it is. It was a good story with several new characters. A lot of character development. Good flowing from one scene to the next. It's a well thought out and written book.

    I don't feel I'm spoiling any thing when I say that Matthew is back in South Carolina. He has agreed to take a young lady to a dance. From there the story really begins. Matthew uses his quick thinking to avoid a duel with the gun or sword. Interesting. It opens Matthew's eyes to something he does not realize.

    Our protagonist in this book shows a lot of consideration for others. Few things interferes with his goal of bringing justice to a murder victim and her family. I'm not sure how he survives some of the things he does, but I'm glad he does.

    I enjoyed the new character, Magnus Muldoon. A big burly fellow with a soft side. He wants to do the right thing. He and Matthew become good friends and I hope to see more of him in future novels.

    The ending was unexpected and a good cliff-hanger leading into the next book. I look forward to reading what happens and how Mr. McCammon will write it. I hear book six will be released sometime this year.

    A 5 star book that I recommend.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2014
    "The River of Souls" is my first foray into the imagination of Robert McCarron and it won't be my last. While I have described McCarron as "new favorite author" it should be pointed out that, while he is new to me, is not new to world of novelists. He has been quite prolific for quite a while. As has been the case with many authors/works with whom I am unfamiliar, I accidentally began reading in the middle of a series. I hate it when that happens but it happens (Repairman Jack; Col. Collins and the Event Group; Doc Ford; etc). However, the author has taken great pains to attempt to allow this story to stand on it's own merit. McCarron cleverly introduces the main character, Matthew Corbett, several pages into the novel making it seem as if he is secondary to the story.

    The book is well-written. It is descriptive but not overly so. It presents us with a significant period in our nation's history but avoids the pitfall of making the novel feel as if it's a text book for a history class. While the main character is a "problem-solver" and has quite powerful reasoning skills, McCarron avoids turning him into a super-human who is incapable of making mistakes.

    I enjoy historical or period novels. River of Souls is set in 1703 Manhattan, (NY,NY) and Charles Town (Charleston), South Carolina. I enjoy mystery novels, and while this story involves a murder mystery, McCarron also manages to draw us into a tale of what seems to be the super-natural. All of this is woven into a story the keeps the reader engaged and not wanting to put the book down.

    My only criticism of "The River of Souls" is that the publisher fails to alert the reader that this is a story with a history found in previous novels. The story did stand well on it's own, however had I known the continuing nature of the story and characters, I probably would have gone back to the beginning of the over-arching story and built the story structure chronologically.

    I heartily recommend "The River of Souls". Full of well-developed, complex characters, possessing a great story line and seamlessly mixing genres, I am reasonably sure that you will be glad you chose to enter McCarron's late 15th and early 16th century world.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2018
    River of Souls wasn’t my favorite of Robert McCammon’s very well told Matthew Corbett adventure series, but it was a very entertaining read. I think I would give it 4.6 stars. In River of Souls we find Matthew for the most part without his usual cohorts (Greathouse and Berry), for a trip to St. Charles to solve a little problem. It seems a beautiful self-centered damsel in distress can’t get a date to the St. Charles Sword of Damocles Ball. As usual, nothing is as it appears and we are ultimately introduced to Magnus Muldoon as co-protagonist in a story of pride, prejudice and misinterpretation of facts and evidence in a murder case Matthew is called upon to solve. Thus ensues a harrowing trip up the River of Souls in pursuit of truth. Suffice it to say – blood, guts and gore abound, whether through acts of snakes, crocodiles, phantoms or the most fearful creature of all – man. We are left hanging at the end of the story. Will Matthew get back to New York and Berry, his love? Highly recommend this book with the caveat – start at the beginning of the series and go in sequence. Otherwise, the flavor of the tale may still be quite savory, but much of the richness of the ongoing story and development of the characters will be lost.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2024
    This is an excellent story! Some books require active participation. By that, I mean you engage your personal experiences with your imagination. The more you have, the more you will enjoy it. Author Robert McCammon always brings his A-game to every book, The River of Souls, is no exception. Neither is the Audible performance by the talented Edoardo Ballerini. -Mr.Bill
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Randi Andrews
    5.0 out of 5 stars The River Of Souls.
    Reviewed in Canada on March 8, 2023
    Love all of robert McCammons books
  • Steve R
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another first class yarn from one of the finest authors writing today
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2017
    Another first class yarn from one of the finest authors writing today. This is a little more compact than the earlier Corbett novels, and should perhaps be considered more as a prequel to the next in the series, Freedom of the Mask, as the storyline is ongoing rather than 'stand alone' . However this only serves to whet the appetite for the next instalment, and should not be taken as a criticism. As long as Mr M can keep coming up with this kind of quality, I'll keep reading them!
  • Johnny Nys
    4.0 out of 5 stars Matthew Corbett 5!
    Reviewed in Germany on August 2, 2014
    Now I find it doubly sad that I missed "The Providence Rider" (who knows, perhaps I might still find a copy someday, or perhaps it'll even get reprinted!). The Matthew Corbett books are funny and exciting and very readable. I'm hoping there will be more! Too bad this one was so short.
  • LBM
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as "Speaks the Nightbird"
    Reviewed in Canada on July 4, 2014
    Not as good as "Speaks the Nightbird", or as relentless as Mister Slaughter: but still very enjoyable. You really can't jump in and read this book as a stand-alone: by now, there are enough references to other characters who have popped up in the series, so that you'll feel out of the loop, if you do.
  • Bryan
    5.0 out of 5 stars historical fiction that is addictive
    Reviewed in Canada on May 9, 2018
    great mix of historical details and an intriguing story filled with mixture of philosophical tensions and a 'real world' pragmatism. I really hope there is more to Corbett's tales!

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