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I didn't expect this book to have a missing person, a dead body, and a shooting all within the first couple of chapters! I was reading it for book group, after all, and book group books generally don't have that much excitement. This book bucks the trend, however, since it also has a plot that centers as much on human relationships as it does on action. One of the main characters is Larry. Larry grew up in the small Mississippi town where the book is set, but hes now an outcast. When he was a te
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A library patron recommended this to me and I loved it. Haunting and atmospheric, it's a slow burn of a southern crime drama. Would make an outstanding TV miniseries. (Ahem, HBO.)
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Set in 1970's Mississippi, Larry Ott and Silas "32" Jones grew up as childhood friends for a short time even though they had to kepe their friendship a secret. Mr. Ott, Larry's father, and Silas's mom had a short affair while she was a housekeeper for the Ott family. Larry was the type of kid who was easily set as an outcast because he did not easily fit in with any group, and it was more difficult with where the story takes place as there were still divisions in race, although it is a subtle th
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A slow, suspenseful read that isn't very long but you need to slow down to savor the presentation. I picked up this book to match a literary disco episode and my rating elevated with their discussion. I'm looking forward to downloading the audio book for a listen.
Link to episode - this crew of podcasting friends speaks frankly and often crassly but have a lot of fun discussing literature together.
http://www.literarydisco.com/2013/06/10/episode-31-crooked-letter-crooked-letter/ ...more
Link to episode - this crew of podcasting friends speaks frankly and often crassly but have a lot of fun discussing literature together.
http://www.literarydisco.com/2013/06/10/episode-31-crooked-letter-crooked-letter/ ...more
This is a book group selection. Overall, and enjoyable read. While I was able to figure out the ending I was still satisfied. While I didn't understand Larry I did like him as a main character, and felt sorry for him. While I know it is a work of fiction the characters continue to live on in my mind, and I hope his life improves. In the back of my copy the author tells us a few antidotes that came from his own life.
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I don't usually read mysteries so this was outside my comfort zone. While the mystery part didn't appeal to me, I liked the author's writing and the characters he created. Larry and Silas lingered after I closed the book. I'm not sure if it's because the story takes place in the 70s but something about it just makes me think of Boy Still Missing by John Searles.
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This book has been on my to read shelf for ever..Recieved it from a friend and liked it a lot. it was slow developing andwhen reached conclusion I was left wanting for more explanation as to what had just happened. The story line was believable and once it going it held my interest. It was about a black cop (constable) and a white man who was blamed for the sudden disapperance of a female classmate and it appears he has struck again. Both charcters are important to the story but if I give any mo
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I liked it ok. It was well written and his descriptions are very vivid. It is classified as a mystery and there was a murder solved by the end, but it seemed to be trying to be something else masquerading as a mystery. There was some crime scene investigation stuff that I found intriguing, but the end wasn't very satisfying. I was also confused by the fact that 32 (Silas) was basically just let off the hook when he revealed his part in an older tragedy was revealed. Especially since the man who
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This was a well written, good book. I think it's one that will stay with the reader long after you finish the last page. The poverty described within the story, that all the characters seem to just accept as normal, was heartbreaking to me. The character Larry really breaks your heart as with all of his good intentions, and genuine good soul he just doesn't seem to quite ever get a break. A great story that I'm glad I finally got a chance to read.
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A decent read, while not being the type of book I would normally pick up. Dragged at times, but had some interesting characters that wrestled with serious issues. Overall not too bad.
Oct 20, 2010
Andrea
rated it
really liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
adult-fiction,
2010
Nov 06, 2011
Kris Duggan
marked it as to-read
Oct 18, 2012
Kelly
marked it as to-read
Jun 23, 2015
Amber
marked it as to-read
Aug 31, 2019
Chantel
marked it as to-read
Feb 19, 2022
Kim
marked it as to-read
