by Carolyn Haines
Review by Harriet Klausner
In
the 1950s in Drexel, Mississippi, the color barrier remains rigidly in
place with each race understanding their sphere. Jade Dupree is raised
by her black adopted parents, Jonah and Ruth, although her biological
mother is the very socially powerful white Lucille. Jade's half sister
Marlena is married to the wealthiest and most powerful figures in town,
Lucas Bramlet. Marlena treats Jade like a servant paying her for
services rendered including watching her daughter Suzanna.
Marlena accompanied by Suzanna meets her lover, a traveling salesman, by
the river. However, men wearing masks attack them. Marlena is rushed to
the hospital while Suzanna has vanished. Jade is there watching over
Marlena but her husband is at home waiting for a ransom.. Jade has to be
careful as some whites feel she needs to be reminded of her place and
she has to be careful of the Peeping Tom who is stalking her.
Carolyn Haines known for her lighthearted amusing paranormal mysteries
has taken a 180 degree turn around with this dark foreboding historical
suspense thriller. Readers see how bad things can get for Blacks living
in a 1950's deep South small town even for a woman who could easily pass
as white. The audience becomes absorbed with the historical tidbits, but
soon the question of who assaulted the mother and daughter takes center
stage especially in light of a spouse who does not seem to care what
happens to his wife and daughter and whether Jade faces retribution for
breaking the color barrier. Ms. Haines writes a strong period piece.
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