Maura (maura853) - , reviewed on 7/11/2023 + 542 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Texas Ranger at risk of losing his badge risks everything to get justice for two murder victims in a tiny East Texas town rife with racism.

Very enjoyable and well written. Texas Ranger Darren Mathews is a pleasing mass of contradictions: proud of his place as one of the very few African-Americans in the fabled law enforcement organization, but all too aware of its racist history (and very aware that his acceptance, both by his fellow Rangers and by the general public is provisional, and could be withdraw in a moment, ending his career or his life). A devoted husband, who could easily succumb to the temptation of an attractive damsel in distress. A devoted surrogate son to his two uncles, but almost torn in two by their conflicting ambitions for him. And all these contradictions have resulted in him becoming a bit too fond of a drink, particularly at moments when he really needs his wits about him (tempting lady, marauding racists, unhappy uncles and superiors ...) Did I miss anything?

This suffers a bit from "first in the series-itis": filling in too much backstory, and trooping out too many contrary people who have shaped the man that Mathews is today. (I never mentioned the mother from whom he was taken at birth, because of her addictions and dedication to free-loading, but she's a doozy, and another of his contradictions is the guilt he feels about her, and his yearning for a real mother.) I actually sighed, and rolled my eyes when we learn of his weakness for a drink -- really? Must we, really? I would pay serious money for a detective who is teetotal, just for a change.

BUT ... very readable, well paced, and the East Texas location is beautifully done. And -- slight spoiler, maybe -- ends on a cracker of a twist, so I really want to see where Locke takes our hero from here.

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