The book opens with the discovery of a small girl's body. Sissy Radley was seven years old and was murdered.
Vincent King has just been released after serving 30 years for her murder. When his new life collides with his past a chain of events happens which will stay with the reader long after the last page of the book is read.
This is not just a murder mystery, there are a wealth of characters who Chris Whitaker brings to life with his superb style of writing.
The names he's chosen for his characters also makes them interesting. Star was Sissy's sister and her life has spiralled out of control since the murder, her 13 year daughter is called Duchess and describes herself as an outlaw after reading about her ancestors and finding out one of them actually was an outlaw. A lot of the story revolves around her, her dysfunctional family and her caring for her small brother Robin as her mum is less than capable. Each and every character in the book has a name which really describes them which is extremely clever writing and makes the reader feel they know them.
I really enjoyed reading this book, getting to know the characters and the feel of small town America. It isn't a book which will be forgotten once it's been read and the story will stay with the reader.
Vincent King has just been released after serving 30 years for her murder. When his new life collides with his past a chain of events happens which will stay with the reader long after the last page of the book is read.
This is not just a murder mystery, there are a wealth of characters who Chris Whitaker brings to life with his superb style of writing.
The names he's chosen for his characters also makes them interesting. Star was Sissy's sister and her life has spiralled out of control since the murder, her 13 year daughter is called Duchess and describes herself as an outlaw after reading about her ancestors and finding out one of them actually was an outlaw. A lot of the story revolves around her, her dysfunctional family and her caring for her small brother Robin as her mum is less than capable. Each and every character in the book has a name which really describes them which is extremely clever writing and makes the reader feel they know them.
I really enjoyed reading this book, getting to know the characters and the feel of small town America. It isn't a book which will be forgotten once it's been read and the story will stay with the reader.