This one is a slow and atmospheric story of a small town and its outsiders. It reminded me (kinda) of The Lost Man by Jane Harper in that you really had to let yourself understand the environment in order for the story to be effective; with The Lost Man, the environment was the physical location, the isolation, the unforgiving nature of the desert, but The Searcher was all about small-town politics, different kinds of desperate, and why people stay in (or leave) a dying town.

One thing that I really liked was how many characters were older. Our protagonist the retired cop (and not even homicide/violent crimes, which I also liked) and his neighbors the 60-something farmers. Because the young people would all pack up and leave. But then we pit Cal, the American outsider, with a kid who so desperately needs help and attention and patience and it gives the story heart.

You have to be patient with this one, and I know that isn't for everyone. I think it was about 100 pages longer than it needed to be, and there's not much action beyond a few scuffles. But this town will seep into your bones and hold on to you.