A very talented author for her age…..

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In 2015 Oakland California, a story broke describing how members of the Oakland Police Department and several other police departments in the Bay Area, had participated in the sexual exploitation of a young woman and attempted to cover it up. The case developed over many months and the author ruminated on this girl and the others who didn’t receive headlines, yet nonetheless experienced cruelty at the hands of the police and did not have their stories told.

Debut author Leila Mottley, was unbelievably only seventeen when she wrote this book and basing it on the high profile case previously mentioned, she created the character of seventeen year old Kiara Johnson and wrote her story showing it from a survivors point of view and a reflection of the types of violence that Black and Brown women regularly face.

Real, honest and true, NIGHTCRAWLING was devastatingly emotive, told with genuine humanity. It was at times very hard to read and knowing this story was based on such a scandal, made it so much harder to comprehend. It goes without saying that I developed deep empathy for Kiara and her love and support to her friend’s ten year old abandoned son, showed her true strength and devotion, especially towards her older brother Marcus when he ends up in trouble.

Heartbreakingly poignant, this book has been written by a teenager that is talented beyond her years. Not an easy read but a one that needs to be read regardless and I wish Leila every success in getting this story talked about around the world.

Leila Mottley is from Oakland California. She has performed and led poetry workshops and has been published in numerous journals and anthologies in the States, including in the New York Times. NIGHTCRAWLING is her debut literary novel.

#Nightcrawling - 3 stars