The majority of Riley Beckett’s interactions with her father have taken place in the visiting room of a prison. Her father is on death row, a convicted serial killer, and for years, he has sworn his innocence. When the execution date looms darker than ever, her father confesses his guilt to her, but then takes it back shortly after. Unsure of what is the truth and what are the lies, she starts investigating herself, though the answers might change everything.

Finding books with children of incarcerated parents is rare, let alone books with a child of a parent on death row. J.R. Johansson captures what that reality might look like perfectly, nailing the dynamic between Riley and her father, as well as Riley’s every day life. Riley has to be homeschooled because of her father’s very public case, but she and her mother are still harassed by the neighborhood. Though we only get glimpses of the prison life from Riley’s father, Johansson smoothly incorporates some great, subtle notes on police brutality and the treatment of inmates.

The mystery behind the case is fantastic, twisting and turning at all the right parts. Riley has someone helping her with the case (a boy, though I won’t say who because of potential spoilers), and their slow uncovering of the truth (and all the smaller, hard-to-swallow truths in between about Riley’s family) will keep readers on their toes. The big finale is jaw dropping, and just when you think you know what’s happened, another twist slams in and changes everything.
Final Verdict:

With a nuanced main character, thrilling mystery, and exciting premise, THE ROW is one you don’t want to miss.

Originally posted at The Forest of Words and Pages: http://www.forestofwordsandpages.com/2016/09/review-row-j-r-johansson/