Beyond the Higher Ground

by Thomas A. Brigger

Tasked with an assignment to manage the construction of a prison on a remote Appalachian mountaintop, Tucker Mason sees an opportunity to restart his life past the death of his wife and the recurring demons of his childhood. But strange occurrences at the house that he rented on Bright's Mountain and the suspicion of drugs being smuggled through the prison construction site create distractions that lead to violence, intrigue, and his own imperilment. Struggling under the weight of loss and guilt, he encounters a world that he never knew existed in the shadow of the emerging prison. With a unique perspective on the human condition, Beyond the Higher Ground takes its reader through a historical glimpse of Southwestern Virginia to a powerful exposition of the drug crisis that has devastated the region and the abject brutality of those who deliver it.

330 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2019

Reviews

[Robin Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

*received from the author via Cozy Mystery Review Crew and voluntarily reviewed*

When we meet Mason, he’s on his way to Bright’s Mountain, where he will be in charge of overseeing the construction of a new prison. He’s still mourning the death of his wife, and while other members of the construction crew are renting apartments or duplexes in a nearby town, Mason chooses to rent a house that, while closer to the building site, is in a remote area of Appalachia, with few neighbors.

The book is a bit meandering, with plenty of stuff happening but at the same time not a lot of action. It’s wordy. It’s not a light read, but rather requires some concentration. The writing is a little grandiose, and yet eloquent and captivating. The fact that I did not have to set the book down to look up a word, not once, made me a bit proud of myself. The narration occasionally switches to the past, giving us glimpses of Mason’s previous life when he and his wife were happy together. The narration is very descriptive, and certainly relays the desolation and hardship of life in the Appalachian mountains, with some colorful characters.

Mason makes friends among his co-workers and, almost in spite of himself, among the locals. But not everyone is friendly, and it quickly becomes evident that somebody wants him to leave. Eventually Mason finds himself embroiled in an investigation into the possibility of drugs being run through the construction site. As the danger escalates, he is determined to not be run out of town, and becomes a self-appointed protector of one of the locals, a single mother. I loved the relationship that developed between them, and between Mason and her young daughter.

Towards the end of the book, there is a real action scene, but it almost felt out of place. The author’s writing style just doesn’t seem to lend itself to pure action, and despite what was happening on the page there wasn’t a feeling of danger or suspense. But the rest of the book more than made up for that, and I was sorry to reach the last page and have to leave Mason behind.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out 4 rating! I really enjoyed this book. It was set on the border of Virginia/ Tennessee in the Smokey Mountains in location my father was from-- and because of the connection, I was drawn in. The story is about a man who works for a construction company and is sent to the area to manage building a prison in the area. He is in the midst of grieving over the recent death of his wife, and trying to navigate living without her. Renting a house in the area to be close to the jobsite, he discovers someone(s) does not want him there. Weird stuff keeps happening, and he is at a loss to understand why.

I thought the character development was good and the way the author described everything was powerful. I really liked the way this author wrote with depth and feeling. I was compelled to keep turning the pages, wanting to know what happened next. I liked the way the plot developed as the book went on, always involving just the right amount of suspense. The book also touched on the drug problem that has been an ongoing struggle for that area of the country, and the impovrishment that those Appalachian communities are known for (see https://www.phoenixhouse.org/news-and-v ... ppalachia/) or (https://www.wvpublic.org/post/generatio ... s-way-life), tying both nicely into the narrative.

I was only disappointed at the end when the main character didn't decide to stay and try to make a difference in the lives of the people there that he had developed a kinship with.
I thank the author for allowing me to read the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jypsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to The Review Crew and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Beyond The Higher Ground
By: Thomas A. Brigger


REVIEW ☆☆☆
Beyond The Higher Ground was an uphill battle. I say this, not because of plot holes or character dislike, rather, because of the overinflated word choice and narrative style. Potential for an excellent story is present but poorly executed. A grieving widower, a desolate mountain and the infiltration of drugs are intriguing elements.

I expected a fictional story, but I got an academic exposition. I lost the crux of the story under the overly worded narrative. I could not decide whether this was the author's style or if he was pontificating for his own sake (hopefully not). I respect and esteem different writing styles, and this particular one happens to disagree with me. I do not, however, respect grandiose wording for show, so, obviously, I hope this is a style issue; then, the problem lies with me in my individual tastes and not the author. I have never personally cared for academic leaning fiction, but many people certainly do and will find this book most agreeable.

I appreciate the important issues the author addresses, in particular the impactful consequences on local communities resulting from the infiltrating drug trade. Why do these horrors nearly always affect those who can least afford it-mentally, bodily and financially? To say it is atrocious is an understatement -and not at all helpful. What would be most beneficial to the people carrying this burden? I have no answer, but I hope this story shines a light on the issues for further discussions.

Beyond The Higher Ground may or may not suit your reading preferences. If you find the style agreeable, I sincerely hope you enjoy reading this book. If not, better luck next time.

[Kimberlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Beyond the Higher Ground" by Thomas A. Brigger is a very impressive book! I was initially unsure if I'd enjoy it, as it's about a man sent to rural Virginia to oversee the building of a new prison. I opted to give it a try based on the location, as I'm from near that area, and have traveled through locations mentioned in the book. I'm SO glad I did! (If the prison aspect is holding you back, no worries...what matters is the location, not what is being built. Tuck could have been building a strip mall or apartment complex....what's important is that he is in that place at that time. This is NOT a prison story.)

That being said....this book was so much more than I expected! The author obviously knows both the area and the construction business well, and it shows throughout the story. Everything rings true, and the descriptions of the area are detailed and allow the reader to vicariously appreciate the view. Despite the often-dark elements of the story, the reader is always reminded that everything is taking place in a region of astounding natural beauty.

The story itself centers around Tuck, who is sent to live in this area for roughly 18 months while he oversees the building project. In the course of this time, he encounters and deals with a lot...his actual job, new friends, friendly locals, hostile locals, bizarre occurrences, and the local drug trade. During it all, he's still trying to process the unexpected death of his young wife, and figuring out how to move on with his life.

There is plenty going on throughout the book, with the action really ramping up toward the end. By that time, I was strongly invested in several other characters in addition to Tuck, and really cared about what happened to them.

There is plenty of harsh reality in this book....it's not a light, fun read. The various aspects of the drug trade and their effects on the mostly lower-income locals are addressed realistically, which means not in a pretty way. Nothing gratuitous is thrown in just for shock value, and there's no excessive violence or gore. I still walked away feeling truly saddened by the knowledge that things like these happen in real life every day, both in the book's area and in other parts of the country.

You'll meet some admirable characters: Tuck, who is trying to do his job (and the right thing), Cletus (who is trying to stand up for what he believes in), Sally (who is trying to make everyone happy and comfortable), Cecil (who has an amazing life story to share), and others. It was fascinating getting to know them all, and to learn more about the history of the area through the lives of certain characters.

There are two special, happy bits near the end....one a minor character moment/reveal that I didn't see coming, and one a glimpse into the future that I'd been hoping for. I won't say more to avoid spoilers, but I appreciated both of these thoughtful touches from the author.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the quality of the writing itself...it is excellent! There is true poetry contained in some of the passages, and I often found myself stopping to re-read a sentence or two, just to appreciate the beauty of the language.

Give this one a try...I highly recommend it!

Five out of five chunks of spicy Pepper-Jack!

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tucker “Tuck” Mason has been tasked with overseeing the building of a prison in Southwest Virginia. He opts to rent a house near the construction site. However, it soon appears that someone wants Tuck to vacate the house, and they use different types of harassment to try and sway him into leaving. Tuck is injured in a car accident and ends up in the hospital with the local police not believing his story that someone deliberately ran him off the road. In Tuck’s meeting with his neighbors, he decides to find out more about the history of the area and the people who are living in the neighborhood. Tuck’s job becomes more complicated when he finds out from law enforcement officers about a serious drug problem in the area, and that the construction site is a prime point of contact for drug dealing.

Beyond the Higher Ground is a novel that touches on issues such as the grief one goes through after losing a loved one, the troubled relationships that can develop between family members after a tragedy, the fallout from the distribution of illicit drugs through street sales, and the impact of unexpected friendships and surprising allies. Dreams, reminiscences, flashbacks, and conversations are ways in which readers learn about the characters’ pasts and why they exhibit particular behaviors. Each character’s unique personality is shown in their speech and mannerisms. Thomas A. Brigger makes use of vivid language, which gives life to the images visualized in readers’ minds in relation to the setting and the characters. Brigger wonderfully captures the essence of the indigenous people in their natural environment and the subsequent degradation that has taken place over time. This book is a compelling story that is not a light read but is thoroughly worth the time and effort put into reading it.

[Cyndy Bailes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the Higher Ground by Thomas A. Brigger is a terrific novel that includes mystery and crime. The central character is Tuck Mason, a recent widower, who is struggling with life and his loss. The construction company he works for sends him to manage the building of a prison in the Appalachian Mountains in southwest Virginia near Kingsport, Tennessee. He rents a house close to the job site and it becomes clear many of the local people do not want him there; he receives threats at his house and gets verbal warnings from people as well. Meanwhile, while dealing with this, Tuck becomes increasingly interested in the people, the history, and the area. Throughout the book there is a well-written growing atmosphere of mystery and possible crimes especially drugs. The author has created a number of interesting characters both mountain folks and outsiders. There are three women that Tuck responds to in different ways as he continues to struggle with the loss of his wife.
I found the atmosphere and story very believable having lived in the Appalachian area for much of my adult life. I particularly liked how he fleshed out descriptions of people, places, and things. The book is not light reading but I heartedly recommend it.

[Anneliese Grassi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books that just makes you go - hmm. Mason is called to head up the construction of a prison in the mountains of Virginia and rents a house not too far from the location. He gets caught up in the history of the locals once things start happening to him on and off the property that he has rented. It has been determined by the DEA that the prison construction site is being used to filter drugs. So with that being found out and the things happening to him, Mason does a lot of digging, spying, befriending, and sticking his nose into things, but does he really want to know the answers to what he is looking for?

It is a pretty powerful story, although sometimes confusing as it flips back and forth between the past and present, or character to character pretty quickly. Also, the writing gets lost on me sometimes because it seems the author tried to use these big powerful words in each sentence, which was not necessary. With that said, the delivery could have been better but the story, although disturbing, was great. This was not a fluffy quick read, this was one that makes you think and realize that there is an issue out there, and all it takes is one person to care and to help make a change.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emotionally scarred widower Tuck Mason is going to be living in Wells County, VA while he helps facilitate the opening of another prison. He rents a local house up on Bright's Mountain but a series of strange and sometimes violent events occur there makes him wonder what is really going on behind the hushed tones. When the DEA and FBI get involved, Tuck has to maintain his composure and continue his work.

The book was good in developing Tuck's character from an outsider with no connections to someone who cares to see a drug-addicted mother receive treatment in a rehabilitation facility. It is another warning of how dangerous and deadly the opiate crisis remains; and methamphetamine is being made in labs to bring more misery and destruction to the community. I wished the plot would have been revealed much earlier so that could have been more integrated into the later writing. While I enjoyed learning of his relationship with his late wife, it was hard to process as the book portrayed- flashbacks of memories and snippets of time.

Thanks to the Review Crew for a copy of this book. My review is voluntary.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

After losing his wife, and trying hard to get by his grief, Tuck Mason is tasked with overseeing the contruction of a prison on a remote mountain in Virginia. Rather than rent an apartment or house where the rest of his crew is in town, he chooses a house in the remote area of town. He is not looking for relationships or friendships but rather to keep to himself and his memories until he does get involved with some of the townspeople and the drug problem there. The author portrays the real problems in the poor areas of Virginia; the Appalachians. Add to that someone wants him to leave! But why? And who? This book is a slow, but a very descriptive read using vocabulary, it seemed, for the sake of using "big" words so at times it disrupted the flow. There isn't much real action in the book until the end, and there is a lot of flashbacks of Tuck's life with his deceased wife. The premise of the story is very powerful and up to date although it seems to plod along. With all that and at times I wanted to put it down, it did keep me interested in seeing how Tuck and the other characters, like the single mother and her daughter that he took under his wing, and Cletus for example would make out. I received an ARC copy of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was honestly a very good book. First, there was the story. It was detailed, focused mainly on the current situation of Tuck temporarily relocation to rural West Virginia to oversee the building on a new prison. There's plenty going on there, between his job, some unique locals, and the drug trade. Some attention is also given to Tuck's past, including the loss of his wife and his family situation. That's enough to keep anyone's interest! I never found the dual timeline confusing at all, and I liked how gradually learning more about Tuck's past shed light on his present actions.

Tuck himself is a great character, very realistic and nuanced. Other characters (both past and present) are given enough details to make them seem like real people as well.

Also, this book is VERY well-written. Some reviewers have complained about the author's style, but I found it to be beautiful, and obviously the product of an educated mind. I'd love to read more by Thomas A. Brigger!

[Sasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tucker Mason, after the death of his wife Katherine, wants to start over, and when he is tasked with building a prison on an Appalachian mountaintop he sees it as a perfect opportunity. Before he even begins, however, he is forced to face a number of problems and obstacles at not only the prison, but at his home as well, including the suspicion that drugs are being smuggled through the prison site. Can Tucker get to the bottom of everything, while continuing to build the prison, or will the secrets he uncovers end up burying him?

The description of Beyond the Higher Ground sounded like just my kind of novel, but it left me quite disappointed. The first half of the novel was so slow and really uneventful; it seemed to be a lot about Tucker’s past, yet that past seemed to have little bearing on what happened in the second half. The sentences, at times, also seemed to go on and on; many of them needed to be broken down so the action and events would flow better. The novel really began to pick up, especially around the last third, but it was almost not enough by then, especially because I was close to putting the novel down before I got to that point. The topic of drug use--heroin specifically--and abuse, and the far-reaching consequences of its use, is a very relevant topic today, and it was written about very honestly, but it took forever to really get there. The last little bit was full of action, and I would have liked much more of the novel to follow suit, but even this last part seemed glanced over. It almost seemed like Brigger wanted to cover a lot of topics and from multiple angles, but it just didn't give enough to any of the individual topics and themes. I really wanted to like this novel, but it really did not do it for me.

Thank you to the Cozy Mystery Review Crew for gifting me a copy of Beyond the Higher Ground, given in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.

[Ternia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would've enjoyed this book more if the sentences aren't so long and redundant. The author over-describes things. No matter how small, every character's role in the book is overdeveloped.
Some side characters that play an essential role in the story should be given such development, but otherwise, less is more.

I applaud the author for having a clear picture of every event, but the scene feels flat if there is too much exposition. It is because the readers are just being fed with information; there is no room for the readers to use their imagination and conclude things by themself.

Read my full review at

https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...

[wanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty boring in the first parts.

[Peggy Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent Mason goes to a remote area in the Appalachian Mountains to build a prison and start a new life but the town people are keeping secrets and someone doesn't want him there and incidents life threatening are happening will Mason survive?

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brigger's literary writing style with his "big words" and complex sentence structure forces the listener to concentrate on the narration of this story. But the theme is less weighty than the writing suggests. It's ultimately realistic, though, and features some quite colorful characters.

Jack de Golia's performance is outstanding. He gives distinctive voices to the characters and shapes the complex language well. It's worth the time and effort to listen to this story.

NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Ashley Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas A. Brigger, the author of this fiction book, Beyond the Higher Ground, used his experiences as a builder and traveler to pen down this unique book.

The book begins with Tucker Mason, a widower, and employee at Doenitz Construction Company, on his way to locate a house on Bright's Mountain. The sad realization of his wife's death came to his mind as usual, and he had to stop his mind from going back to the past. He was assigned to Wells County as a project manager for the prison construction. When he got to the prison site, he met his co-worker, Casey. They exchanged pleasantries, and he explained how the construction would proceed. On his way back to the airport, he had an accident. Someone ran him off the road, and this led to a series of unusual occurrences during his stay. Nonetheless, he was strong enough to move into his rented house and, subsequently, start his work at the prison site. As the construction of the prison was progressing, there were concerns about the use of hard drugs, with reported cases of death based on overdose. The DEA and the police started an investigation to find out who the drug supplier and distributors were. Will they succeed?

The foreign dialect some of the characters spoke added some flavor to the book. I admired Mason's resilience. This was because he stayed at a house despite being badgered by his neighbors to find another place to live. This was because he was tired of always moving at any provocation. He needed a place to call home for a while until the prison was completed. It was also heartwarming to know how he helped his neighbor, Melanie McCall, with no personal gain, to find her feet and go on to live a normal life. I also found Sally's character fascinating and unique. I loved how she always had a jovial countenance, and that kept me looking forward to her dialogues. I loved the twist the author incorporated at some point in the book. It was highly unexpected, and that made me appreciate the book more.

I have some complaints about the book. In the middle of a chapter, I felt the author made an abrupt change in the narrative without giving the readers a heads-up about what would happen next, and that got me confused. This only changed after I read for some time and realized the true position of events. The narrative was fast-paced. If you don't pay much attention, you'll be left wondering what the next scene is about. Furthermore, there were so many characters mentioned in the book that sometimes it was hard to keep up. An example of this was when Verna Lee was narrating to Mason about the Correl family that had lived on Bright's Mountain. In light of the above, I'll give this book a rating of 3 out of 4 stars.

This book will be suited for readers who like the art of exquisite storytelling and strong character development and readers fascinated by the fight against the use of hard drugs.

[Chiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond the Higher Ground di Thomas A. Brigger è un intrigante romanzo che ruota attorno alla figura di Tucker Mason e alle avversità che si ritrova ad affrontare dal momento in cui si trasferisce a Bright's Mountain, in Virginia. Tucker, ('Tuck', come gli piace farsi chiamare) ha di recente perso sua moglie, e trova ancora difficile riconciliarsi con il suo passato. Ha un bisogno disperato di un nuovo inizio, perciò accetta un lavoro come responsabile di progetto della costruzione di una nuova prigione sul posto, e prende in affitto una casa nelle vicinanze del cantiere. Ma gli abitanti del posto non sembrano entusiasti all'idea di avere un nuovo vicino, e cominciano a verificarsi strani eventi... Inizialmente l'uomo è spaventato dalle minacce e non riesce a comprendere il motivo della crescente ostilità nei suoi confronti. Nessuno sembra disposto ad aiutarlo, tutti sembrano avere paura di qualcosa, o qualcuno. Ben presto realizzerà che c'è qualcosa sotto. Scoprirà di cosa si tratta? E alla fine riuscirà a risolvere il problema? Come gestirà la situazione?

L'autore ha talento, ed è in grado di mantenere vivo l'interesse del lettore fino all'ultimissima pagina, in un crescendo di suspense e mistero. Il suo stile narrativo è notevole, e risulta scorrevole nonostante le descrizioni estremamente dettagliate. Raccontando gli eventi in terza persona, dipinge con un'inaspettata empatia la dura realtà che si respira in quelle aree svantaggiate, e la vita delle persone che lottano per sopravviverci. I personaggi sono davvero interessanti, e ho apprezzato tanto il fatto che i dialoghi fossero così realistici. È stato come guardare un film. La lenta decadenza dei luoghi riflette in parte lo stato d'animo del protagonista e l'atmosfera generale della narrazione, che rasenta il tragico.

Sono sicura che ai lettori che di norma apprezzano la suspense e il mistero con uno sfondo particolarmente realistico piacerà questo libro.

[Miks Solon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's writing style were so powerful that it intensifies the consistent portrayal of characters and events of the story which urges the readers to focus and pay attention. However, I've found some issues that caused me to rate it 2 out of 4 stars. Check my full review to know more about my analysis.


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[Linda Pool · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep thoughts and dark events.

The hero shares his inner fear and anxiety as he is thrust into a dark world of drug users and their imprisoned lives. I came away with a sense of understanding what a terrible trap that is.

[Library Lea · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Kassie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to get into and little action until almost the end of the book. I won this book via a goodreads giveaway

[Ioanna Zannettou · Rating 5 out of 5]

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