Welcome to Litsy!

2nd in the Darren Matthew's, Highway 59, series reading on my Kindle. Started last night and like it. Even woke up at 4am and read a little since I had a hard time getting back to sleep.

Initially I wasn‘t sure I was going to like this; I found the main character unsympathetic. But as the story progressed, it turned into a page-turner that not only provides a good crime thriller story, but also provides a lot of food for thought.

#ReadAway2024 @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

This sequel to Bluebird, Bluebird took me a while to get into, maybe because the first book was exceptionally good. This time Texas Ranger Darren Mathews is making some questionable decisions, his mind primarily on saving his career, even though a child has gone missing on vast Caddo Lake. That child, Levi King, is the 9-year-old son of an imprisoned white supremacist, & the truth about his disappearance is as complicated as the region's history.

I looove Locke's mysteries. A Texas Ranger fights racism while searching for a missing child. While coping with his family.

Second book in this series. I really like the way the author develop the story, nothing is what it seems: betrayals, racism, political issues, family/couple drama. You will have a love/hate relationship with Darren. It was like watching a tv series. I really enjoyed this second book. I don‘t know if there will be book 3. I hope so! 3.8⭐️

Okay, apparently 2022 is the year I inhale Attica Locke‘s books. 😂 My only complaint is I‘m up past my bedtime for the second night in a row. #lennox #catsoflitsy

Attica Locke uses her writing to poke at the establishment and race, here as trump comes to office knowing there will be a backlash , federal law enforcement look for a crime against whites by a black person to temper the flood. Black Texas ranger Darren Matthews goes to investigate the disappearance of a white boy, child of a racist family. When the finger points at a black man Darren is suspicious. Great relevant writing, brilliant author.

#AnyWayYouReadathon 1st book finished

I loved how deeply flawed Darren was and at the same time, how genuinely well-meaning. I was impressed by the complicated entanglement of themes of racism and forgiveness that sprang up with the continuation of this mystery thriller. The twists at the end left me hoping for a third installment.

@kimmypete1 @MidnightBookGirl

Very good!!!

I enjoyed this book so much more than the first book in the series. Darren is called to help in the investigation of the disappearance of a 9 year old, who happens to be the son of an imprisoned member of the Aryan Brotherhood. Nothing in Darren‘s personal life has straightened out and he continues to do questionable things for what he believes are the right reasons. There is so much going on the pages flew by and left me clamoring for book three.

This was a great continuation of Bluebird Bluebird about the story of Texas Range Darren Matthews. I wasn't a fan of the Audiobook and think I should only read Attica Locke the format change was a little weird for me. I kept having to relisten to peices of the story I missed because the narrator has a sleepy time type of voice. Overall this was a good book, great story

#TeamSlaughter 15pts

@Clwojick

That's a wrap for October.

We are.opening the #HHSwap.tomoroow right? I need some good in my life the last two weeks have been wild.

@wanderinglynn

Let's do this! #CrushTheRush @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick is hosting.

I am going to pull a list together of books I want to get done through the rest of the year.

Ending my month with this Audiobook and the last 120 pages of The Boy From The Woods. Right now it's just easier to listen to a book. #Tired #Kickboxing

#TeamSlaughter Participation pt 1

The second book about Texas Ranger Darren Mathews. This time he is sent to investigate the disappearance of a 9 yr old boy. The only thing is that the father of the boy is a captain in the Aryan Brotherhood. As usual, not everything is as they seem.

At the same time we follow Mathews personal case from the previous book.

Suddenly I look like I‘m from the 1960s. 😂 A shot from my latest video ‘September wrap-up‘ now up on YouTube. #BooksOnTheGo

I enjoyed this second book in the series, maybe more than the first. I respected Texas Ranger Darren Matthew‘s perseverance in his search for the truth, even as the folks in the small TX town he was investigating threw racial slurs and threatened him.

Again Locke‘s writing manages to convey such mixed feelings- admiration for professional prowess while contrasting shame at personal choices and shady secret undertones.

A great read. The second book in the Highway 59 series, & once again it has complex characters, race issues & strong sense of place. The plot is intriguing, well-paced & keeps you guessing. I love the combination of mystery & thought-provoking ideas, as Matthews searches for a son of white supremacists & struggles with his conscience. Locke manages this in a breezy narrative without being preachy. Nuanced & gripping. Recommended.

I have done nothing but read this morning. Had to finish this. I really like Attica Locke‘s books. This is the second in a series.

The excellent Noirwich festival goes online this year and such a fab key note. Tickets free and available to book from today 👍🏼

https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/noirwich-lecture-2020-attica-lo...

Between my terrific public library, my sister who lends me books, and my sweetheart who doesn‘t limit my book buying or reading time (he may not be perfect, but he‘s perfect for me!), I‘m set on one and three. I choose four! How awesome would that be?! Thank you @Eggs @Julsmarshall 😃

I adored this second book featuring Darren Matthews., Texas ranger. The case is complex with appropriate twists to be a great stand alone mystery / police procedural. However the author elevates this further with a tense racial and political backdrop. Darren is a flawed but captivating protagonist and I hope we see more of him. (Photo Texas ranger museum in 2016 - I guess three months before this book is set)

I loved Bluebird, Bluebird so was pleased to be gifted this. The novel began slowly with a bit more background from Darren Matthews last case than was necessary. Once onto new ground this becomes a satisfying read. Great sense of place. White supremacy again takes center stage. Some story lines are resolved, but others, including the women in Matthews life are more snarled than ever.

And who‘s taken young Levi King? Can‘t wait for her next.

I love an good Texas based mystery!

If you enjoyed "Bluebird, Bluebird", this equally tense continuation in the Highway 59 series is well worth reading! ??

This is an absolute gut punch of a novel. How do you ratchet up the already complex racial conflicts of rural Texas? Attica Locke raises you the 2016 election, which makes for something even (dare I say it) better than Bluebird, Bluebird. Cannot wait to read more from this series.

Locke continues her chronicles on black Texas Ranger Darren Matthews as he is called in to find the missing child of a white racist. Darren is caught in the middle of his own professional and personal swamp while navigating race relations post 2016. Amazing cross between southern gothic, Texas noir; Darren is on ground zero of “the impulse to police crimes against black life and to protect black life from police”. Tense, intense, and must read!

Ok, so when does the next one come out because I NEED IT RIGHT NOW!!!! There are so many balls in the air in this book Attica just manages to effortlessly write them all together so well even though I wanted to scream,”does anybody remember there‘s a kid missing!!!!!” So a son of an Aryan Brotherhood member goes missing in rural Texas and Texas Ranger Darren is sent in to find him. This is way more than that. Attica Locke is brilliant. Pick!!

This is somewhere on the list of future reads. I think it is part of a series, & possibly the No. 2 or No. 3 book so I‘ve got some catching up to do. The author, Attica Locke, is making a respected showing for herself in the mystery thriller genre. Also, she was a creative force behind the television show Empire & assumed the same role of writer / producer for the upcoming Hulu adaptation of Celeste Ng‘s book Little Fires Everywhere.
#ReadSoulLit

Another fabulous mystery from Attica Locke! This Texas noir kept me guessing and the many of the characters are starting to feel like complicated dear friends who I can‘t help but root for, even as they make poor decisions. I love this series and heard there‘s an adaptation on the way. #MountTBR #ownvoices #mystery

In the past 8 days, our household has experienced the following: lice, vomiting (both on my bday), visiting in-laws, a funeral, elementary school Valentine‘s Day party prep, and head colds. Fortunately, everyone‘s sense of humor is still intact and I was able to finish this book. 😂😂 The sequel to Bluebird, Bluebird was excellent- and honestly, I think it was even better than Bluebird. Can‘t wait for the next installment.

So excited to be diving into the latest Attica Locke novel! #currentread

9-year-old Levi King knew he should have left for home sooner; now he‘s alone in the darkness of vast Caddo Lake, in a boat whose motor just died. A sudden noise distracts him – and all goes dark.

Continuing this series, which centers on a Texas Ranger & addresses racism in East Texas, the police force, and in our country. The MC continues to make poor personal life decisions while searching for a missing boy. Interested to see how the author eventually gets MC out of his current situation. Another cliffhanger ending. Using this for my library‘s book challenge (mystery by author of color) and for #ReadtheUSA2020 Texas TW: racial slurs

There will be a feeling of "this is the same book," but this book is just as good as the first one. It doesn't rest on the Black Ranger vs the Aryan Nation, but looks at the complexities of trying to do your job when everyone hates you for your skin color and you are finding a child who will be your enemy as he grows, but all are human with their own flaws. This is a great series so far, but you need the first book as it takes off from that one.

Finished this on audio last night. I enjoyed it, really good narrator with a smooth voice. I considered this a cozy mystery compared to what I normally read.

This book was so good! Darren Mathews is back, and currently assigned to help find a missing child - whose father happens to be “Big Kill” of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas. Darren has the chance to gather info on the ABT - but the situation in Jefferson is more troublesome than anyone could have imagined. 2/15 for #Jumpstart2020 #WinterBookBingo

This trafficked in the usual detective tropes: law enforcement guy with a dark side and some personal vices ...has lady troubles.. makes some questionable ethical choices in service of the greater good. The twist is that he‘s a black Texas Ranger trying to find the missing child of a white supremacist in the days immediately following Trump‘s election. I wasn‘t sure it really rose above those tropes and the political references made it feel dated.

I didn't find this sequel to be quite as engaging and strong as the first book; but, it's still above-average. I was around 25% into the sequel before I decided I needed a refresher, stopped, and reread Bluebird, Bluebird. Then, I started this one from the beginning again. I wish the author had done a better job of *concisely* reminding us of the main players/events so I didn't have to reread. I don't know if a third in the series is planned.

Another good one! #KindleDailyDeal

If you haven‘t had the pleasure of reading Attica Locke books I highly recommend her Highway 59 series. #wintergames
#teamfozziwig @barkingmadrun @clwojick @staycurious #adventrecommeds @emilyrose_x

Ranger Darren Matthews is asked to look into the disappearance of the young son of a member of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas. He finds himself in a racist viper pit of a small town. It‘s a good story with some interesting parallel stories occurring, but for me it wasn‘t as strong as Bluebird, Bluebird. I really like this character and hope to see him again.

I enjoyed this second installment of the series. You definitely need to read Bluebird, Bluebird first to understand much of this story.

Had a day off today, so squeezed another book in a day read! (That‘s my retirement aim)
This one was even better than the first, but he certainly is a complicated character that makes many questionable decisions. Here‘s to more in the series 👍🏻
Thanks Jess for the book and the lovely card that‘s just come today 😘

Atticka Locke is easily my favourite crime-thriller writer at the moment, and this is the book that‘s finally dragged me out of my reading slump.

Darren Mathews is sent to Hopetown, ostensibly to investigate a missing child. Or maybe to find out more about his white supremacist family. And he has his own reasons for going...

The lake, the blues and the totally messed-up actions of Darren are just so believable. All the stars!

I have to rush this back to the library before my fines get any bigger 🙈 but damn! I loved it! Ranger Darren Matthews is one of the most emotionally layered and conflicted characters I've ever read. It is so nerve wracking to watch him try and do the right thing. Also exploring racial tension is something Locke excels at and this book feels especially poignant right now. Can't wait for more Highway 59 books!

Happy Weekend, book friends! We are in full cozy mode at my house tonight as a fall rainstorm rolls in! This week was pretty uneventful. A lot of writing, and running, and reading. I'm trying to finish this one up.... It's overdue at the library and I'm sorry, not sorry because I really want to finish it. Texas Ranger Darren Matthews is such a complicated man and this story is 💯!!!

What's new with all of you this week?

🍭🍭🍭🍭 review is up on my blog. Stop by and say hi! https://reecaspieces.com/2019/10/14/heaven-my-home-by-attica-locke-review-myster...

My book needs a playlist...