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U.S. Route 59 (US 59) is a north–south United States highway (though it was signed east–west in parts of Texas). A latecomer to the U.S. numbered route system, US 59 is now a border-to-border route, part of NAFTA Corridor Highway System. It parallels U.S. Route 75 for nearly its entire route, never much more than 100 miles (160 km) away, until it veers southwest in Houston, Texas. Its number is out of place since US 59 is either concurrent with or entirely west of U.S. Route 71.
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Although the highway stretches from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada, Locke is concerned with the portions within her native Texas.
I loved Blue Bird, Blue Bird and Texas Ranger Darren Matthews, and I would suggest beginning with Blue Bird as the second book (Heaven, My Home) resumes shortly thereafter. It isn't necessary, but the background of Darren Matthews as a black Texas Ranger raised by his uncles adds a great deal to the character.
In Blue Bird, Darren hides a gun used by an old man to kill Ronnie Malvo, breaking the law and contravening the values his uncles have tried to instill in him. Ronnie Malvo, member of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, was a violent man and few people mourned his death. The reader can't help but think Darren was right in trying to protect the old man who killed Malvo, but it upsets his sense of duty and leaves him vulnerable to blackmail.
Darren's new case involves a missing boy in an isolated community on Caddo Lake (25,400 acre lake and wetland on the border of Texas and Louisiana). Again, there is an association with the Aryan Brotherhood and a bunch of white supremacists. The uncomfortable fact of racial tension, distrust and betrayal is not limited to the white supremacists, it is also endemic to the culture of the area in a traditional way that is almost subconscious.
Darren's character has been altered by his own actions in the previous book, and I found it harder to empathize with him in this book, but he is human and despite his failures, he still strives to understand himself and his relations with others.
A complex plot with complex characters, Heaven, My Home addresses a number of issues society is dealing with currently; none of these issues are new, but they have certainly become more "acceptable" in the last few years. Darren, too, is having to consistently evaluate his feelings at overt and covert racism directed at him , including the unacknowledged, often unintended, racism of his boss. Recommended.
Read in July. Blog review scheduled for Aug. 26, 2019.
NetGalley/
Mystery/Thriller. Sept. 12, 2019. Print length: 304 pages.
I've read two of Attica Locke novels but not this one. She's a favorite in my local library, so I'll have to look for a copy there. I heard her speak at the Texas Book Festival a few years ago and found her to be an interesting person. If you haven't read Black Water Rising yet, that's a good one. It centers around a rather infamous bayou that runs through the downtown area of Houston, a bayou that has been known to be a dumping spot for murder victims, stolen vehicles, and victims of suspected police brutality.
ReplyDeleteI think Locke is a good writer - with the exception of that cheesy television series she wrote for for several years...what was it called? Empire or something like that?
I haven't read Black Water Rising, but have certainly enjoyed her settings along the Texas/Louisiana border. I've never watched Empire, although I've definitely heard about it. Even before Jussi Smollett.
DeleteI've only read The Cutting Season by Locke but it made me an instant fan. What I liked was the setting and the blending of past/present and racial harmony/tensions. I definitely need to read more and will pick up Blue Bird, Blue Bird or her debut.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read The Cutting Season--another to add to the list!
DeleteAttica Locke is an author I've been meaning to read for so long and -- yes, this is the reminder I needed about just how out of control my TBR is lol
ReplyDeleteOh, those pesky lists that keep getting ever longer!
DeleteI am glad you recommend this one, Jenclair. One of these days I will try an Attica Locke novel. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe books are character-driven, and the characters are very much a part of the setting. Try Bluebird, Bluebird, Wendy!
DeleteI'm glad this was a good follow-up to Bluebird, Bluebird. I really liked that book and thought it felt like you were in a totally different country. I went to Caddo Lake many years ago and it was impressive. So different from Dallas.
ReplyDeleteThe history of Caddo Lake is fascinating. Locke also included a thread about the history of the Caddo Indians who had lived in the area for hundreds of years before being driven out in the 1830's.
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