The Last Kind Words, by Tom Piccirilli
I have read many good novels in 2012. Some were great, even. But none ultimately compared to THE LAST KIND WORDS, written by Tom Piccirilli. There are several upsides to this novel that elevates it above the competition. First, it has one of the most memorable opening chapters I can think about. In ten pages or so, you can witness Terrier Rand's conflicted emotions about his family, his profound melancholia and the tremendous, frightening gift that is his heritage. Of those, none is enunciated. There's no "Terrier felt like this." It's all filtered through his actions.
There are countless other cool things about THE LAST KIND WORDS. The crime plot is lost amongst a myriad of other stories the Rand family are soaking into. Terrier is all caught up problem solving and rekindling relationship with his sister Dale, his parents, his uncles, etc. Piccirilli created a unique world through this family and so many writers could've dropped the ball on such a slippery idea (a grifter family), but he doesn't. Not only he makes you believe in the Rand family, but he makes you love them. I am more than excited for the sequel next year, for that THE LAST KIND WORDS is my best novel of 2012.