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Descent is a captivating novel written by Tim Johnston that takes the reader on a journey through the unraveling of a family and their desperate search for their missing daughter. Set in the small town of Red Wing, Colorado, the novel explores the complexities of human relationships and the lengths to which people will go to protect their loved ones.The story opens with the Courtland family embarking on a family vacation to the Rocky Mountains. Their daughter, Caitlin, a talented runner, goes for a morning jog, and fails to return. The family is left distraught, and the novel follows their search for her, as well as the search of the police, who are struggling to unravel the web of secrets surrounding the town.One of the novel's strengths is the way it is structured. Johnston expertly weaves together multiple perspectives, including those of the Courtland family, the local sheriff, a young man with a troubled past, and others, to create a rich and nuanced portrait of the town and its inhabitants. The characters are well-drawn, with complex motivations and backstories that add depth to the plot.The novel also deals with themes of loss, grief, and the lengths that people will go to protect their loved ones. The Courtland family is shattered by the loss of their daughter, and the novel explores how each family member copes with their grief in their own way. Caitlin's father, Grant, becomes obsessed with finding his daughter, while her mother, Angela, retreats into herself, and her brother, Sean, becomes increasingly distant. The novel also explores the theme of justice, as the family grapples with the possibility that their daughter may never be found, and that her abductor may never be brought to justice.Another strength of the novel is the way it handles the depiction of violence. Johnston never shies away from the brutality of the crimes committed, but he also never descends into gratuitousness. The violence is always portrayed in a way that serves the plot and the characters, rather than for its own sake.One of the novel's few weaknesses is its pacing. At times, the plot can drag, and some readers may find themselves losing interest during the slower parts of the novel. However, the novel always picks up again, and the pacing ultimately serves the story's themes of loss and grief.In conclusion, Descent is a compelling novel that expertly weaves together multiple perspectives to create a rich and nuanced portrait of a small town and its inhabitants. The novel deals with complex themes of loss, grief, and the lengths that people will go to protect their loved ones. While the pacing can be slow at times, the novel ultimately serves its themes, and is sure to captivate readers who enjoy complex, character-driven mysteries.