The Rhythm of the Road    by Albyn Leah Hall Order:  USA  Can St. Martin's, 2007 (2007) Hardcover Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Jo rides the roads with her father Bobby as he wheels big trucks around England and Ireland. Bobby has raised Jo from infancy – her mother is not present. They have a tight bond in both loving music. They know all the words to songs as well as the artists. The story moves forward quickly when they pick up a hitchhiker – Cosima – who is on the brink of success in country western music. This leads Jo to follow Cosima and her band after Bobby disappears. Jo's descent into erratic behavior is traced through the wreckage she leaves behind. The Rhythm of the Road, Albyn Leah Hall's first novel, is sensitive and attuned to the musical world and those who inhabit it. Hall's writing is sharp and clear with no holds barred. Her analogies are bright and fresh, hitting the nail directly on the head each time. She speaks to us in a new and exciting voice. Listen to a podcast interview with the author at WrittenVoices.com Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Contemporary books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews