Racial Tension
The action takes place in the small southern town of New Hope, in the late 1950s and early 60s, and is a tale of racial tension, politics and murder. The younger protagonists of the story attend high school or college. The adult population of New Hope has more than a few rogues and villains among their number.
The town is geographically split into black and white areas, and the council want to demolish the black school, which sits on prime real estate in the centre of town, and plan to replace it with apartments, shops and other businesses. They think this will revive the town's fortunes, but battle lines are drawn, and animosity is rife. During this long battle, a local girl is found murdered in the woods. She had been active in the struggle for equality, and had gained a few detractors. One of them, Big Mike, had been a target of her campaign, because he banned black people from eating at his diner. He was arrested for the crime, but eventually released due to lack of evidence, and no-one else was ever charged.
We move the action on twenty-five years, and the case has been reopened, with the defence team being led by two of the victim's peer group from schooldays. They investigate the case and unearth dark secrets, and after many red herrings, we finally learn the true identity of the killer.
The lives of the people of New Hope are cleverly crafted by the author, and their story is often sad, but you are left with the feeling that hope will return to New Hope.
The stunning artwork on the cover is an original work by B N Bailey.
A well written book and well researched, with a twist in the tail.
