Tyler Sinclair found stunning success as the lead singer of the wildly popular band Stone Mountain after he left his hometown of the same name behind him. He got out as soon as he had a chance. And who could blame him? With an abusive father and a mother who never stood up for him, Tyler’s memories are not fond ones. So at 18, he broke free. No goodbyes. No tears. No farewell parties. He just left. And he planned never to see Stone Mountain again. 
 
But the COVID pandemic changed a lot of things people said they’d never do. As the world is waking up again, the band is embarking on a sort of recovery tour. Their manager has booked a benefit concert in Stone Mountain, with the proceeds pledged to support Tyler’s old friend, Doc, who was paralyzed in a childhood accident. While this sounds nice and all, why wasn’t it cleared with Tyler first? He never would have agreed to this. 

"Richard Russo is one in a million when it comes to writing a story so totally engaging you won’t be able to close the book.... UNDER THE FALLS is certainly no exception. This incredible novel is his first thriller, and it's an unqualified success."

The band and entourage don’t know the real reasons Tyler left. Setting this up without his knowledge has him simmering with anger. But he’s not the only one who’s angry, as he discovers during the concert. There are people in the stands who didn’t come for the music. They came for personal reasons having to do with their opinion of Tyler and his involvement in Doc’s accident.
 
But why? Tyler had nothing to do with that. Before the concert started that evening, he spent a little time strolling down memory lane with Doc. Yes, it may not have been Tyler’s idea and the lane may have been pretty rocky, but Doc swore he didn’t blame Tyler for what happened at the swimming hole. Tyler doesn’t remember the day the same way that Doc does, though. And while Doc says he harbors no ill will, his words and his body language tell an entirely different story. 
 
After the disaster that was supposed to be a benefit concert, Tyler races to get away --- once again --- from Stone Mountain, hopefully for good this time. But the Mountain has something else in store for Tyler. As he’s leaving the venue, he runs into his old best pinkie-swear buddy, Curt, who is now the chief of police. At first, Tyler doesn’t recognize him. It’s been 18 years, after all. That excuses it, right? He has a brief, pleasant chat with Curt before heading out. He also catches a glimpse of Freddi, who is still as stunning as she was back then, but doesn’t acknowledge her. He doesn’t dare. When he left all those years ago, he never said goodbye to her either, and she may hold more than a mere grudge.
 
The limo carrying the band manages to finally put the mountain community behind it. But someone in town isn’t willing to let them go just yet. Old resentments still simmer. As the driver skillfully winds down the road, headlights suddenly appear in the rearview mirror, a chase ensues, the weather deteriorates, and cars ultimately clash. When the dust settles, as they say, no one comes out unscathed.
 
And that’s only the beginning of the unraveling. Stone Mountain has many secrets, and it plans to keep them. It’s a tough old community that has bent many good people to its bidding. It seems that it will never be done with Tyler Sinclair. After all, he is one of theirs. 

Richard Russo is one in a million when it comes to writing a story so totally engaging you won’t be able to close the book. His characters have real dimension, deeply human emotions, heartbreaking backstories, and flaws that make a reader want to cry. Russo never fails to deliver. UNDER THE FALLS is certainly no exception. This incredible novel is his first thriller, and it's an unqualified success.