Reviews

I do think I will continue this series and I do plan on reading other books by Attica Locke but I was hoping for more. I found Darren frustrating and, at times, he was unlikable.

The writing was well done and I found the racial tension realistic. However, it also took me out of the story a little bit. The “N” word was being thrown around and the town of Lark seemed stuck in the 50’s not 2016. Instead of trying to solve the case, which is my favorite part, I had to keep reminding myself that this was a work of fiction, even though the hate is real.

The mystery itself was interesting and their were some little things, I wasn’t expecting. Overall, this was, for me, a good introduction to the work of Attica Locke.

gingerellaj's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I received this book as an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Darren Matthews is a black Texas Ranger, and when he hears about the murders of a black lawyer from Chicago and a local white mother in the small Texan town of Lark, his desire to solve the murders put his beliefs and resolve to the test.

I was immediately pulled in by the synopsis of this book: two potentially racially motivated murders in the deep South. I've been reading more novels, and listening to more podcasts, about the topic. I am appalled that such things would, and still do, happen. But I am equally fascinated to learn more about them.

Anyway, Locke sets the scene straight away: illustrating the impact race can have in a state like Texas, where Darren is on suspension following an altercation between a lifelong family friend and a white supremacist. This is the point at which Darren is alerted to the murders in Lark and decides to go and investigate. As you move deeper into the novel, you understand more about Ranger Matthews: what he's driven by and that he's human too.

I couldn't put this book down, reading it in just 5 days; that's fast for me! I enjoyed the dialogue written with the Southern twang. Locke did an excellent job of giving dimension to each character and even though I didn't personally warm to Randie, none of the characters felt underdeveloped or unlikable. I would even love to go and visit Geneva's cafe!

This book isn't just a good ol' whodunnit, which I love, but successfully illustrates how race, or people's fear of it, can have such an impact in America. A great read! The main thing I am left wondering now is, why was the book called Bluebird, Bluebird?