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marissax89's review against another edition
5.0
I throughly adored this book (I finished it in one day!) The entire story blended together so beautifully. The characters each had their own distinctive personalities. I think it gave a really fascinating look on prejudice and shows how that even simple false accusations can totally ruin a person’s life.
laurabeth9's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this deep South mystery spanning over 25 years. It's a story of what could have been, should've been and what will be. I really loved seeing the story through both the eyes of Silas and Larry. Even though they were in the middle of the events, their outlook was so different. This author has a wonderful way with language and symbolism, from the cut trees to the dying town. I think it's a modern day must read mystery. Right up there with The Scent of Rain and Lightening. ENJOY!
michaelalanpeck's review against another edition
4.0
Seldom have I read a noir that also has a lot of heart and genuinely makes you feel for its characters the way Franklin manages to make you feel for his. The genre favors the dark over the tragic, but this gives sizable helpings of both, elevating it above many of its fellow entries.
leslieastreet's review against another edition
4.0
I started this book and finished it less than 48 hours later. In other words, it is one of those books that is very difficult to put down once you begin. What I appreciated most about this book is its ability to tell a complete, fully developed story set in rural, Southern Mississippi that rings completely true. The characters are well-developed and seem like people that could live down the road from my own parents. The story is told non-linearly, and yet it isn't hard to follow. The characters are woven together in a complete portrait. I also appreciated with how well this book dealt with the thorny issues of race in Mississippi. It wasn't at all preachy, as many modern novels want to do when it comes to discussing Mississippi and race. Rather, it told a fascinating story that wove in intricate details of true to life interactions among people of different races in Missisippi. And ultimately, it detailed how these seeming racial barriers we assume have hard lines really are entirely artificial.
I generally am not one who enjoys crime or suspense novels, but this one is so artfully well-done, I absolutely loved it. I highly recommend it to someone who is looking for great storytelling, well-worded prose, and sympathetic characters.
I generally am not one who enjoys crime or suspense novels, but this one is so artfully well-done, I absolutely loved it. I highly recommend it to someone who is looking for great storytelling, well-worded prose, and sympathetic characters.
lu2cook's review against another edition
4.0
A mystery full of rich characters. The story of Larry Ott and the injustice he suffered unwinds as the novel progresses. This one is worth reading.
mattingtonbear's review against another edition
4.0
a really well done thriller that evokes a real sense of place w/ richly detailed characters and genuine excitement. I don't read a lot of books in this particular genre but w/ this and the Dennis Lehane book I read a month or so back I might read more. the back and forth from the past to the present worked really well and I liked that it took its time telling it's story w/out ever feeling slow or drawn out. my only fear is I don't know if most thriller/mystery/crime novels can really compare to something as rich and as engaging as this one. just a wonderful lil book.
brenansmith's review against another edition
5.0
I am not sure if it's okay to say "I love a book". I love my son, and my husband, and my mom...but a book?
I loved this book. It was beautifully written, the characters came alive for me in a way that made me care deeply about them and feel so sad and heartbroken for each one of them. The plot moved quickly, but the writing was excellent and made the world of this book come alive. So happy to have read this book.
I loved this book. It was beautifully written, the characters came alive for me in a way that made me care deeply about them and feel so sad and heartbroken for each one of them. The plot moved quickly, but the writing was excellent and made the world of this book come alive. So happy to have read this book.
amykrs's review against another edition
4.0
I won this book as a good reads first-reads, and it was a quick, and very engrossing read for me.
I have to admit I was expecting (at least somewhat) a standard, predictable mystery, but it definitely exceeded my expectations. It opened my eyes to a totally different world- 1970's Mississippi. The book also seemed to focus on the back stories and in-depth descriptions of the characters rather than a fast-paced plot like a lot of mystery books, which also made this book stand out.
I have to admit I was expecting (at least somewhat) a standard, predictable mystery, but it definitely exceeded my expectations. It opened my eyes to a totally different world- 1970's Mississippi. The book also seemed to focus on the back stories and in-depth descriptions of the characters rather than a fast-paced plot like a lot of mystery books, which also made this book stand out.