Penn, a prosecutor in Houston, has been trying to get over the death of his wife and decides to return home with his young daughter to heal. Instead of healing, he puts himself, his parents, and his daughter in grave danger as he investigates a 30-year-old unsolved murder of a black man in Natchez. There is much resistance from the town, both black and white, to opening this case again. Penn doesn't understand why.
Getting to the truth of what really happened almost destroys everything Penn has, but he can't give up until he gets some resolution. No matter what the cost. That's just the kind of guy he is.
The story contains the beginnings of what could end up a romance for Penn, which as a reader you really want. He's suffering and you want to see him happy. These books are very long at 20 hours -- some would say a bit bloated. But I enjoyed the details and Iles' writing style is interesting. It helps that the narrator, Tom Stechschulte, does a great job of pulling you into the lives of these characters.
I received this book from libro.fm. I have really enjoyed this audiobook service, and you should check it out if you are interested. Not as many books as Audible, but I've been able to find everything I wanted.
If you are at all interested in Civil Rights murders in the south during the 60s and beyond, check out the Penn Cage series. I've really become attached to these characters and plan to continue with Turning Angel, the second book.
Published by Dutton, 1999
Audiobook obtained from libro.fm
433 pages
Rating: 4/5
Civil rights era stories are always interesting, but I haven't seen much of it in fiction. Thanks for the suggestion.
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