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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
This mystery set in Depression-era West Texas has an eery tone, and really pulled me in. I liked that it was narrated by a 12 year-old boy who tries to make sense of the contradictions around him in his racially divided town. I also liked the early stabs at forensic analysis that some of the characters attempted. The climax got very gruesome -- almost stomach-turning, but thankfully ended well.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Murder, Sexual harassment
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a fantastic read, it’s a thriller set in the countryside of Texas during the Depression of the 1930s. The MC is a young boy whose father is the local constable (cum barber) in charge of a serial killer investigation. The murderer is targeting the local women, initially from the nearby black community, but the killings do not seem to bother the white folks among which racial prejudice is ripe.
I had my suspicions about the identity of the serial killer, however the events leading to the final discovery came as a surprise. I loved the atmosphere of suspense the author created and was able to maintain tension through the story. It reminded me of to kill a mocking bird, which is one of my favourite books of all times. Joe R. Lansdale is a new-to-me author and I’m a fan already.
One of this year best reads. Recommended.
ETA: revised my rating to 5 stars, it's worth them all!
I had my suspicions about the identity of the serial killer, however the events leading to the final discovery came as a surprise. I loved the atmosphere of suspense the author created and was able to maintain tension through the story. It reminded me of to kill a mocking bird, which is one of my favourite books of all times. Joe R. Lansdale is a new-to-me author and I’m a fan already.
One of this year best reads. Recommended.
ETA: revised my rating to 5 stars, it's worth them all!
This one's a rare 5 stars for me, a genuinely creepy, involving, gripping story of hate and fear in the Depression-era South. Something's killing black women in horrible ways near our boy lead's farm. Is it a madman? The Klan? Local bigots? Or is it the Goat Man, a legendary monster that haunts the backwoods and scares the local kids?
I don’t even know how this book ended up on my tbr list to be honest but I am so happy I did, I did not expect such a great read! The book is set in Texas within the deep depression of the 1930s. When I saw when the book was set, I was a bit put off as I sometimes find it harder to get into a book when it’s set in the past but this had no impact on the story for me!
The book is essentially a murder mystery, and is told from the perspective of eleven year old Harry Crane. Although it is a mystery, the murder brings with it a lot of uncertainty within Harry’s small town as well as racial conflict. The story starts quite slow as it develops the background but it soon picks up and each chapter is full of tension, making you eager to read on. The author details the small town life so vividly and I feel as if I personally knew each of the characters as so much thought was put into describing them.
One of the greatest parts of the novel was Harry’s relationship with his Dad - who I loved. It was so refreshing to see a young boy have such a positive relationship which his Dad, even through difficult times. You could see throughout the novel the positive influence his father had on him and I loved that the author could convey their relationship so well. The book was such a great coming of age story and the character development was done brilliantly.
Reading this book brought back fond memories of reading To Kill a Mockingbird in school. Honestly, I would recommend this book to anyone - it was one of them books I was just so glad I picked up. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
The book is essentially a murder mystery, and is told from the perspective of eleven year old Harry Crane. Although it is a mystery, the murder brings with it a lot of uncertainty within Harry’s small town as well as racial conflict. The story starts quite slow as it develops the background but it soon picks up and each chapter is full of tension, making you eager to read on. The author details the small town life so vividly and I feel as if I personally knew each of the characters as so much thought was put into describing them.
One of the greatest parts of the novel was Harry’s relationship with his Dad - who I loved. It was so refreshing to see a young boy have such a positive relationship which his Dad, even through difficult times. You could see throughout the novel the positive influence his father had on him and I loved that the author could convey their relationship so well. The book was such a great coming of age story and the character development was done brilliantly.
Reading this book brought back fond memories of reading To Kill a Mockingbird in school. Honestly, I would recommend this book to anyone - it was one of them books I was just so glad I picked up. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Forget staying up to ring in the new year, I stayed up to finish this book! Lansdale is an amazing storyteller and I was hooked from the very first page. The similarities to To Kill A Mockingbird are obvious but this book stands on its on. The subject matter is gruesome and infuriating and evokes strong emotions, the hallmarks of a captivating read. I did figure out who did it early on but then second guessed myself and should have stayed with my gut feeling because I was correct. Glad a friend recommended this one!
loved it hard. reminded me a lot of to kill a mockingbird, but much darker. so, so, so good. sad it's over, but i could not put it down.