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quercus707's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this one. Not for the mystery, which wasn't that hard to crack. But for the characterization, the relationships, and the exquisite descriptions and sense of place. Strange to call a mystery/thriller which such dark themes and happenings a feel-good book, but this was a feel-good book.
hmonkeyreads's review against another edition
3.0
A predictable mystery. I did enjoy the way the character Larry was developed and it made me think a bit about jumping to conclusions and the repercussions of how we treat people.
april_golden's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable read! Not sure how to classify this book. It's sort of a thriller/mystery, southern lit, coming-of-age story all rolled into one. Sort of The Help mixed with A Time to Kill. Beware, it'll break your heart.
The first 100 pages or so, I was enjoying it but not loving it. Mostly because the story switches back and forth from present day to twenty years earlier. It felt jarring. However, around the halfway mark, I became so into it that I read the last 150 pages in one sitting.
Although there is a mystery (really two) in the book, the focus of the book is the relationship between two men: Larry Ott and Silas Jones. The mysteries keep the story rolling along, but heart of the book is those two and their history and present-day relationship.
The first 100 pages or so, I was enjoying it but not loving it. Mostly because the story switches back and forth from present day to twenty years earlier. It felt jarring. However, around the halfway mark, I became so into it that I read the last 150 pages in one sitting.
Although there is a mystery (really two) in the book, the focus of the book is the relationship between two men: Larry Ott and Silas Jones. The mysteries keep the story rolling along, but heart of the book is those two and their history and present-day relationship.
girlnxtdoor's review against another edition
4.0
This book was Slingblade meets Heat of the Night (old 80's TV show). It was a slow mover for me. So much in fact that I started to put it down and read something else. I am so glad I didn't. I never read mystery novels. It's just not my thing but this was more than an average mystery novel. When it grabbed my interest I was totally hooked. I couldn't put the thing down. Give it a chance. I don't think you will be disappointed. It's very Southern and Small townish throughout the novel so understand this going into the book. There were moments when I wanted to cry for Larry Ott and moments I wanted to slap Silas. I actually believe this would be a good novel to go into High School Literature classes. I know it could spark great writing skills and discussions to make the reader stop and think about the world we lived/live in. It's still relevant.
winglady's review against another edition
5.0
The characters so real (and complex) that you feel like they live in your own town; the story so well told that it feels like part of your own history. This one is a winner.
dcmr's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book but with the constant switch of past-present time, and the changing point-of-view, I had a tough time getting into a reading rhythm.
hollysmith54's review against another edition
4.0
This plot has meat to it. Well written and and exactly the sort of crime drama I would watch as a TV show when I’m as a teen. Happy to have found something like this in a book.
lxa_fxn's review against another edition
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
3.5
alliepeduto's review against another edition
2.0
So I wasn’t sure what to expect from this. I read it since the author is sort of “local” but I really just couldn’t get into it. I generally love mysteries, but I felt like the story was less about solving the mystery and more about the personal relationship between the two main characters. It wasn’t bad per say, but I just wasn’t into the small town drama with this one. I also wasn’t a fan of the writing, but I understood where the author was trying to go. Personally, I was bored with it, but if this is something that intrigues you, go for it!
jcpdiesel21's review against another edition
4.0
When I first started this book, I thought it was going to be a standard mystery where the two main characters happened to know each other from the past, but it is so much more than that. As I continued to read, the story became deeper and more intricate, and intriguing and shocking ways that the characters were connected kept being revealed. Franklin is a skilled writer and truly captured the essence of rural Mississippi. I was underwhelmed at first by the way that the girls' disappearances wrapped up, but they merely provide the framework for a more complex story.