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missyjohnson's review against another edition
4.0
Heartbreaking story of how we may jump to conclusions about people or situations and without having all of the information be so very wrong. It is also a story of how keeping silent and trying to protect others may lead to consequences never intended. It is the story of family.
The author did a good job of developing the characters and making them real people.
Walk becomes police chief of his small town in California, his best friend
Vincent King is imprisoned for manslaughter of his girlfriends sister whom he hit with a car
Martha becomes an attorney
Star is Vincent’s girlfriend and tortured soul and the mother of Duchess and Robin
Hal is the grandfather with unbelievable patience. His ability to be patient with Duchess and her anger was saintly.
The convoluted path of this story were heartbreaking. It was heartbreaking because it was so believable that each situation could actually happen. Who hit who? Who damaged someone’s property, why could some never get past high school and the boxes that we put folks into.
The author did a good job of developing the characters and making them real people.
Walk becomes police chief of his small town in California, his best friend
Vincent King is imprisoned for manslaughter of his girlfriends sister whom he hit with a car
Martha becomes an attorney
Star is Vincent’s girlfriend and tortured soul and the mother of Duchess and Robin
Hal is the grandfather with unbelievable patience. His ability to be patient with Duchess and her anger was saintly.
The convoluted path of this story were heartbreaking. It was heartbreaking because it was so believable that each situation could actually happen. Who hit who? Who damaged someone’s property, why could some never get past high school and the boxes that we put folks into.
sandysmith's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm gradually adding books I've read in 2021 to give a true reflection of the books I've read since keeping records. This was the first book I read in 2021, and is what kick started my reading journey having put reading on the back burner whilst bringing up the children, previously being an avid reader. A great read. I really loved 13 year old Duchess Radley, such an amazing character and her relationship with her brother Robin was wonderfully written. It's a thriller who dunit which I loved. Murder, redemption, life long friendships, relationship and forgiveness. Intertwined stories, a murder that Vincent King is in prison for. Star is Robin and Duchess's mum and the sister of the victim. It does show how crime affects families. A super read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcohol, Addiction, Murder, Death, Gun violence, and Violence
katievgood's review against another edition
5.0
Character development in this book was on par. I loved Duchess and found myself laughing out loud several times while listening to this one. I highly recommend this to all my friends.
seriously_awkward's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jesslw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.25
celtic67's review against another edition
3.0
A Great Read
My first read by Chris Whitaker. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The prologue of the book was good and set the scene for the rest of the book. Walk is out with the rest of the town searching for a young girl named Sissy. Fast forward thirty years and Vincent who has been jailed for Sissy's murder is being released. How will the town take to him? Will he be rehabilitated? Or will he carry the burden for the rest of his life? Star Sissy's sister has two young children Duchess and Robin. How are they affected? Or does there mother affect them more
Chris has drawn a portrait of how a crime not only effects the victim and perpetrator but also the wider family and community. Chris is brilliant at drawing together the various threads of small town America and how we are all affected and damaged.
My first read by Chris Whitaker. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The prologue of the book was good and set the scene for the rest of the book. Walk is out with the rest of the town searching for a young girl named Sissy. Fast forward thirty years and Vincent who has been jailed for Sissy's murder is being released. How will the town take to him? Will he be rehabilitated? Or will he carry the burden for the rest of his life? Star Sissy's sister has two young children Duchess and Robin. How are they affected? Or does there mother affect them more
Chris has drawn a portrait of how a crime not only effects the victim and perpetrator but also the wider family and community. Chris is brilliant at drawing together the various threads of small town America and how we are all affected and damaged.
hooziefoozie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75