Good Boy by Neil McRobert is a tale of a dog’s loyalty to much more than just his owner. Readers beware, you’re going to be giving quiet public spaces the side eye after reading this.
Let’s dive in!
My Thoughts on Good Boy by Neil McRobert –
While looking out her window one evening, a woman sees a man digging a hole. If it had been any other day, she may have closed her curtains and turned away, but with a boy having gone missing recently, she rushes to confront the man while fearing the worst. Little does she know, when she welcomes the man into her home for a drink, she’s about to learn of a darkness far worse than one missing boy.
The set up here immediately put me on edge. I mean, a dark evening, a man digging in the dark, a child missing, and a woman ready to throw caution to the wind to potentially confront a killer? I was invested.
The way that Neil has organized the storyline is done so well, it was impossible not to get lost in this setting. And while I was fearful to see what new information would come next, even during the lighter elements of the tale, I couldn’t help but let myself get crushed with each unfortunate event.
My Favorite Passages from Good Boy –
The light was leaving at pace, as it always did at this time of year, when the hilltops became teeth and chewed down the sun for an afternoon snack.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to see that’s the worst thing you can be in Symester: above your station. We rip holes in each other ’round here. Anyone wants to stand a bit taller to see a bit more of the world, they’re liable to get their legs kicked from under them.
“You’re not telling me something, James.” She searched my face.
There’s so much I’m not telling you, I thought. A long list that starts with a monster and ends with I love you.
I had a sickening conversation just before midnight, with a doctor who told me that I should prepare for the worse. As if that were possible. The worst is always something you haven’t thought of yet.
In her grief and her impatience, she’d swept her life clean of strife but, in doing so, had she cleaned up too much of the mess that makes a life something more than just being awake? Sometimes, she thought, the dissatisfaction of stillness only became clear in the act of disturbance.
Throw a stone into calm water and the ripples are their own kind of beauty.
My Final Thoughts on Good Boy –
Horror fans, if you’re looking for a book to read in one sitting while you go on quite the emotional rollercoaster, you’re going to love this! This book will forever have a special place on my bookshelf.
Dog parents, tread lightly <3 Neil is a dog dad, but there is some darkness here.
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