Name Town

by Jordan Fitch

YOU CAN’T CHANGE WHERE YOU’RE FROM.

Tom Darby thought he knew his town of Harper, but fresh revelations about its history divide his neighbors. His attempts to quell the tensions fail. As threats lead to violence, he discovers that he’s working against even deeper secrets.

Piper Wells made a mistake. She envisioned a life beyond Harper, and beyond her means, but learns that leaving a simple town is not that simple. Amid the chaos of a splintered community, she seeks help from the one person she can trust.

History and identity clash, and the town may not be strong enough to bear the coming storm. The truth behind the current turmoil and past tragedies could save them both, but Tom and Piper need to survive to reach it.

Genres: Audiobook

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2025

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Name Town is a fantastic fast paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat! I had a feeling after reading this authors debut novel, “The Cardinal Line”, that the next book would be just as good, if not better, and I was right! I really LOVED this one! I could not put it down!

I loved the journal entries to tie in the past and present throughout the book. The characters were well thought out, and there were some surprises I didn’t see coming. The plot was interesting and different than anything I had read before.

[Anthony J Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of stories with a historical basis or background. Warning, minor spoilers.
I am a fan of stories with a historical basis or background. Warning, minor spoilers.
The Historical Note in this book says that On March 22, 1824, 9 Seneca Natives were killed along Deer Lick Creek in Indiana. There were 7 white settlers charged with the massacre. Five were executed, a teenage boy was pardoned, and Thomas Harper fled and escaped capture.
In Jordan's book, he tells of a group of elementary students is tasked with researching the founder of the town of Harper. That research leads them to Thomas Harpers Journal. The information learned in that journal causes a lot of chaos.
I found this story to be extremely well written. The events that occur seem routine and expected at first. Then Jordan begins to pepper in small details that at first seem to be a nuisance to a simple proceeding such as a vote to rename a town. As the story progresses, people start to behave strangely and things happen that seem irrational and/or excessive reactions.
Once you are invested in that, Jordan adds the other layers (I don’t want to spoil everything) and you find that this seemingly mild little story has blossomed into a thriller that uncovers towns secrets that could bring everything to ruin.
My last note is that Jordan does a masterful job of capturing that small town mystique and ambiance. Just like an extended family on the surface is a family, small towns always tend to operate the same way. There are people that you know and accept for what they are and their role. You know everyone’s triumphs and tragedies. And boredom may lead to weird customs, some of which are less than pleasant.
I look forward to reading other stories by Jordan.

[Harry Kohal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exciting and draws the reader in. The author unfolds a dilemma facing the town leader who has an interesting background. The relationships and the progression of the problem pulled me in to the point I couldn't put the book down. The reader gets a close association with the characters and the location of the story to the point you become part of the story. Great writing, great story, and Name Town is a must read for people who enjoy a well constructed, close to home, exciting story. Congratulations to Jordan Fitch for making book number two even better than the his first one, The Cardinal Line, another great book.

[Sue Fitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me engaged and interested from the beginning. As I read on it became a page turner, riveting and thrilling as the plot complexity developed. I had to keep reading to find out how ended, even though I didn't want it to end. The different pieces and threads that run through this novel lead the reader on an adventure that will keep this story on your mind for quite a while. Jordan's style is evident in both of his novels. (Cardinal Line being his first)

[Amour.Rebelle.Reads (Bran.d) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whatever your taste in small-town thrillers, Brandon Francis makes this one worth your time. He handles the dual storyline between Tom and Piper with ease, shifting between the two with a quiet intensity that suits the story’s building dread. His pacing feels instinctive rather than mechanical, and he never overdramatizes — letting the tension breathe where it needs to.

A strong performance from a narrator who clearly understood the material.

[Anna Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Name Town is an atmospheric book with layers of conflict. Just when you think you've figured it out, another secret is revealed. Set in a small town with history, this novel has a cast of well developed characters, surprising twists, and a well executed plot.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read with a tiny bit of spice.

[Jim A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Steven King's non-horror books and short stories, you'll love this book. It is a wonderful blending of past and present in a town that has a lot of dark secrets. This book gives me confidence that the suspense genre is alive and well, and the author will no doubt keep generating the kind of suspense that rivals anything on TV or in the movies.

[Denise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good read! Loved the gradual escalation and character development. Twists at the end I didn’t see coming - finished it in two days! Read it!

[Latasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This audiobook had an intriguing premise that immediately drew me in. The story centers around the small town of Harper, where long-buried history and secrets begin to surface, creating tension and division within the community. The idea of a town grappling with its past while its residents struggle with identity and loyalty was definitely compelling.

Tom and Piper are at the center of the story, both dealing with their own complicated ties to Harper. Tom is trying to hold things together as tensions rise, while Piper is coming to terms with the reality that leaving her hometown isn’t as simple as she once believed. Their connection and the unfolding mystery surrounding the town had a lot of potential.

Brandon Francis did a solid job with the narration. His voice was easy to listen to, and he helped keep the story moving, especially during some of the slower sections. He captured the tone of the small-town atmosphere well and made it easy to follow the different characters.

That said, the pacing of the story felt uneven at times, and I found it a little difficult to fully connect with the characters and their motivations. The deeper secrets and past tragedies hinted at throughout the book felt like they could have been explored more, which would have made the overall tension stronger.

Overall, this was a decent audiobook with an interesting concept and good narration. While it didn’t fully deliver on all the potential of its premise for me, it was still an enjoyable listen.

[LoveMyAuthors · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even with the very talented Brandon Francis's narration, I had a terrible time connecting to these characters and what they were all up in arms about. Add another storyline around a twenty-something making bad choices and hoping someone will bail her out and I'm a little irritated.

Nah...I've marked this one as just ok for me.