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emcheym's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Death
Minor: Alcoholism, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Cursing, Infidelity, Murder, Racism, Slavery, and Violence
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Caren is a Black woman who works as a manager at a privately owned Louisiana plantation on which her ancestors were enslaved. One day a body is discovered on the grounds. Apart from investigating who killed the migrant worker and why, the novel involves a mystery from the past - exactly what happened to Caren’s ancestor Jason? This novel explores themes like racism, family, political corruption, labour relations, law and the justice system which seem to be mainstays in all Locke’s books. This one also looked at the impact of capitalism, industrial agriculture, and the treatment of migrant workers. This is not a bad book and I didn’t dislike it. But I enjoyed it less than I expected, and less than Locke’s other four books, all of which I’ve read. And I’ve no real idea why. Possibly because the lead character was a layperson, rather than a lawyer or law enforcement officer? Maybe because there was more of a focus on the lead character’s personal life? Although I’m not sure if that is actually objectively true. Perhaps it was a case of a sophomore slump? Maybe it was the atmosphere, which felt a little spookier and more eerie than in her other books? Maybe the problem was actually my mood? I truly don’t know. Whatever the reason I’ll still eagerly read whatever Attica Locke writes next. She writes excellent mysteries/thrillers which lean in hard to race and contemporary social issues. This just wasn’t my favourite book of hers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Slavery
Moderate: Murder and Gun violence
steffiraquel's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Slavery, Murder, Grief, Death, and Violence
Minor: Pregnancy, Abandonment, Death of parent, Body shaming, and Alcohol
shaney_swift's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Minor: Murder and Racism
jourdanicus's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Gun violence, Murder, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Racism, Infidelity, and Grief
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