Scan barcode
samuriah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
2.75
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
4.0
I am severely overdue in writing a review of this stellar debut novel by the host of the Crime Writers of Color podcast (which I highly recommend -- my TBR list grows after every episode!). I opted for the audiobook version, narrated by the always excellent [a:JD Jackson|21976381|JD Jackson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], which was riveting. There were a couple of twists that I was not expecting at all and my jaw dropped more than once as I listened to Mr. Jackson's narration. I rewound one spot in particular because I was so surprised by the plot twist. To me, that was evidence not only of an exceptionally talented narrator but also of the quality of the material he was reading. I was not expecting a debut to floor me like that and am very excited that this is the first in a series. The ending is quite a cliff hanger (I was NOT prepared for the story to end!!) and I cannot wait to find out what comes next.
One of the things I liked most about this novel was how it tackled the themes of the broken American criminal justice system, wrongful convictions, and race. The issues and characters were complex and gray, as life is. I also like setting of Denver's Five Points neighborhood, which was brought to life for me. I really connected with and cared about the three main characters (Langston Brown, his daughter Liza, and jazz club owner Eli Stone). This would be an excellent book club read, as I really wanted to discuss it while I was reading it and when I finished it. This book stayed with me long after the audiobook ended. It was a layered, thought-provoking, and immensely readable mystery/thriller.
I selected this as my pick for the 2022 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge prompt "a book about a secret."
One of the things I liked most about this novel was how it tackled the themes of the broken American criminal justice system, wrongful convictions, and race. The issues and characters were complex and gray, as life is. I also like setting of Denver's Five Points neighborhood, which was brought to life for me. I really connected with and cared about the three main characters (Langston Brown, his daughter Liza, and jazz club owner Eli Stone). This would be an excellent book club read, as I really wanted to discuss it while I was reading it and when I finished it. This book stayed with me long after the audiobook ended. It was a layered, thought-provoking, and immensely readable mystery/thriller.
I selected this as my pick for the 2022 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge prompt "a book about a secret."
deedralapray's review
3.0
This one is more like 3.5 stars, but closer to 3 than 4. There were so many storylines that I loved in this book. The father-daughter relationship was beautiful. I enjoyed the backstory of Eli's childhood and of him becoming a widower too soon. Then there was the villain who seemed to tie all of the characters together in this small section of the "Children of Africa" in Denver. However, there were many things that left me scratching my head. How did Eli make/get the money to renovate the Ros? Why did Slager target Langston? And why in the hell was Franchesca in the book at all? She did play a minor role, but mostly she was a despicable sexist. I really kinda hated her. All in all, a decent read.
bkdrgn303's review
4.0
Listened to the audio version. Really well done. Sad and heartbreaking story but an important one.
lilyreads01's review
4.0
They Can’t Take Your Name by Robert Justice is an important, powerful crime thriller. The book explores a miscarriage of justice taking place in Denver where Langston Hughes is imprisoned and sentenced to death for a crime he didn’t commit. In the fight for his freedom we follow his daughter Liza who seeks to clear her fathers name and highlight the racism and failures at the heart of the criminal justice system, Eli Stone a jazz club owner of The Roz who looks to rejuvenate the history of Five Points who is grieving for his late wife and connects with Liza and a corrupt detective whose actions lead to tragedy and injustice. It is an important story that spotlights the racism, prejudice and corruption in society, politics and the law. The alternating chapters created a fast flowing suspense read but sometimes the time jumps were difficult to follow and some characters for example Fredericka felt one dimensional. Overall, it is a gripping and compelling novel and a book with a mission to make change and protect innocent lives. For fans of contemporary fiction and suspense thrillers. 4 stars ⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.
kbranfield's review
4.0
4.5 stars.
They Can't Take Your Name by Robert Justice is an absolutely riveting novel with a socially relevant storyline.
Langston Brown is wrongfully convicted of murder and he is currently on death row. His daughter Liza is a single mother who is almost finished with law school. Having convinced her professor to begin an innocence project, there is one last hope to overturn his conviction. Liza’s attempts to prove his innocence take on a new urgency as the governor suddenly sets several execution dates that will occur very soon. Liza refuses to give up believing she can save her father, but will their court case receive a favorable ruling from the judge?
Eli Stone is re-opening an iconic bar in Denver’s Five Points community. He is realizing the dream he and his late wife Antoinette shared but Eli grief overshadows his success. Eli hires Liza to work for him and they strike up an unexpectedly close friendship. After she tells him about her father, Eli realizes he knows the detective who arrested Langston. He has first-hand information about Detective Sean Slager’s longtime corruption, but will this knowledge prove beneficial to proving Langston’s innocence?
They Can't Take Your Name is a powerful novel about institutional racism and police corruption that happens under the guise of justice. The storyline is complex and multi-layered. The characters are mostly well-drawn with all too human flaws and weaknesses. Liza is tenacious in her efforts to save her father, but Langston knows the odds are stacked against him. Eli tries to do the right thing to help Liza but will he find what he needs to help Langston before it is too late? Robert Justice brings this incredibly suspenseful to an edge of the seat conclusion.
They Can't Take Your Name by Robert Justice is an absolutely riveting novel with a socially relevant storyline.
Langston Brown is wrongfully convicted of murder and he is currently on death row. His daughter Liza is a single mother who is almost finished with law school. Having convinced her professor to begin an innocence project, there is one last hope to overturn his conviction. Liza’s attempts to prove his innocence take on a new urgency as the governor suddenly sets several execution dates that will occur very soon. Liza refuses to give up believing she can save her father, but will their court case receive a favorable ruling from the judge?
Eli Stone is re-opening an iconic bar in Denver’s Five Points community. He is realizing the dream he and his late wife Antoinette shared but Eli grief overshadows his success. Eli hires Liza to work for him and they strike up an unexpectedly close friendship. After she tells him about her father, Eli realizes he knows the detective who arrested Langston. He has first-hand information about Detective Sean Slager’s longtime corruption, but will this knowledge prove beneficial to proving Langston’s innocence?
They Can't Take Your Name is a powerful novel about institutional racism and police corruption that happens under the guise of justice. The storyline is complex and multi-layered. The characters are mostly well-drawn with all too human flaws and weaknesses. Liza is tenacious in her efforts to save her father, but Langston knows the odds are stacked against him. Eli tries to do the right thing to help Liza but will he find what he needs to help Langston before it is too late? Robert Justice brings this incredibly suspenseful to an edge of the seat conclusion.
kaylafds's review
2.0
Important message and I enjoyed the story, but the weak character development was hard to ignore.
emilyalexander's review
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5