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megelizabeth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
"The place didn’t call to her, not the way Texas felt ever at hand for Michael - the way the land, or the memory of it, pulled at him. It was as if some part of him had never left the red dirt of East Texas, which Randie didn’t understand."
For me, the strengths of this book are its vivid depictions of Texan social, cultural, and natural life, its layered, messy characters, and its necessary commentary. Darren's perspective is certainly an interesting one, and I largely found his personal story and the wider events happening to be compelling in an understated way.
As a mystery, this was for me a bit mediocre, and I wasn't a fan of the way some of the 'relationships' (i.e. grooming of underage or at best barely legal girls) are talked about. I also didn't love the ending, though that's more of a personal gripe; it's very much an ending that's setting up the next book rather than giving closure to this one, and I don't tend to enjoy that in series'.
Attica Locke can certainly write, and I'm glad I picked this up even if overall it ended up being just okay. I'd recommend if you're looking for a thriller that's dark but in a quiet way, with a plot that's decent enough but where there's much more emphasis on atmosphere and commentary.
For me, the strengths of this book are its vivid depictions of Texan social, cultural, and natural life, its layered, messy characters, and its necessary commentary. Darren's perspective is certainly an interesting one, and I largely found his personal story and the wider events happening to be compelling in an understated way.
As a mystery, this was for me a bit mediocre, and I wasn't a fan of the way some of the 'relationships' (i.e. grooming of underage or at best barely legal girls) are talked about. I also didn't love the ending, though that's more of a personal gripe; it's very much an ending that's setting up the next book rather than giving closure to this one, and I don't tend to enjoy that in series'.
Attica Locke can certainly write, and I'm glad I picked this up even if overall it ended up being just okay. I'd recommend if you're looking for a thriller that's dark but in a quiet way, with a plot that's decent enough but where there's much more emphasis on atmosphere and commentary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Alcoholism, Racial slurs, Blood, Violence, Death, Murder, and Animal death
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
readerette's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Keep with this one all the way to the end! Well written, engaging story about something of an anti-hero dealing with the kind of racist, backward behavior that feels wrong in a story set in the modern day (but sadly, isn't out of place). Eye-opening from a race perspective and also just a good story. While I like the surprise of the ending, it also felt slightly off-key given all the moralism associated to the badge of the Ranger throughout the story.
The n-word appears a number of times and a couple of other slurs come up once or twice--all contextually appropriate for the setting and characters. Just worth calling out to prepare yourself.
The n-word appears a number of times and a couple of other slurs come up once or twice--all contextually appropriate for the setting and characters. Just worth calling out to prepare yourself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Hate crime, Cursing, Infidelity, Murder, Violence, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Blood
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Vomit, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Infertility, and Rape
shaney_swift's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Murder, Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Blood
questingnotcoasting's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I found this really compelling. I liked the writing and found myself immediately immersed in the small town setting. The atmosphere is bleak and gritty and there's a lot more to the murder investigations than it first seems - past secrets, white supremacists and racial hatred all play a part. I liked that the story focused on the characters as much as the plot. The web of relationships between the people in the town was so interesting to untangle. Darren is a complicated character, with personal baggage to deal with as well as his cases but I was rooting for him and I'm looking forward to reading the next book. I don't read much crime which isn't Agatha Christie and this has reminded me that I'd enjoy it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Racism
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