Daniel V. Meier, Jr.’s To Know Good and Evil is a gripping blend of investigative thriller, Southern noir, and philosophical reflection. The novel follows Frank Adams, a former NTSB investigator, who is pulled back to his hometown in North Carolina to look into the suspicious plane crash of his old college professor, Dr. Lanmore. What begins as a routine probe quickly unravels into a tangled web of scientific secrets, buried trauma, and small-town corruption. As Frank digs deeper, he faces threats, red tape, and a haunting past, all while uncovering the unsettling truth about the nature of good and evil.

I found Meier’s writing absorbing. The prose isn’t flashy, but it’s steady and textured, with just the right amount of grit and polish. His sense of place is one of the strongest elements in the book. Characters like Ted Grant, the eccentric philosopher, add layers of charm and introspection that counterbalance the tension. There are moments of dry humor and gentle melancholy that feel earned. I liked how the narrative takes its time; it trusts the reader to follow without rushing, which made the plot developments all the more satisfying when they landed.

That said, the story has a certain old-school feel that might not click with every reader. Some dialogue leaned theatrical, and the pacing in the first third felt a bit slow. But once the investigation gains steam, the book becomes hard to put down. The ideas it wrestles with, scientific responsibility, moral relativism, and institutional failure, are baked into the story, which makes it feel smarter than your average mystery. I appreciated how it didn’t shy away from asking big questions, even if it didn’t tie them up with a neat bow.

I’d say To Know Good and Evil is best for readers who like a thoughtful mystery, especially those who enjoy slow-burn thrillers with a strong sense of place and character. If you’re into literary suspense or stories that blend intellectual grit with good old-fashioned intrigue, this one’s worth a read.

Pages: 220 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DV97DBKY