Such a fluid, gripping novel that is (still) incredibly relevant in 2020 and beyond. There are no easy answers and that is realistic and Cha really drew me into to both families and their pain while also challenging me to see it on a larger scale.

Slow start, but once it gets going the prose never lets go. Anxiety-inducing and skillfully written. The characters and their complex emotions and relationships are expertly crafted.

Well written, moving, suspenseful, and so engaging, this is a fictionalized version of the Latasha Harlins murder and the LA Uprisings of '92 . Cha weaves the plot and character threads so deftly. There were some passages that I read a few times and thought - yes, yes that's EXACTLY how you explain that feeling, WOW, Cha! A strongly recommended read.

This novel is overall engaging and meaningful despite a few weak plot elements. The most prominent involves the eldest daughter. Are we supposed to believe that a woman who is a skilled internet sleuth unintentionally gave away her mother’s location? Would she have intentionally betrayed her mother? Neither is plausible to me. Providing the information is entirely gratuitous given the context of the letter.

This was a powerful book. It shows how racism can be a single act but that act is usually born from a system of unrest. And, more importantly, racism has been so ingrained in our society that it no longer has to be between white and black.

The author created some deep characters. There motivations are both pure and biased, because that's reality. The mystery wasn't overly obscure but then again that wasn't the point. The story drew me in but did not make me feel good. Which was the entire point.

Now for some spoiler-y type stuff.

Spoiler

I didn't figure out Yvonne was the one who killed Ava until that bombshell was dropped. The messed up family dynamic was there for me to pick it out. I just didn't.

I did figure out that Darius was the one who shot her. But I don't think the Cha tried to hide the fact.

I loved how Grace went on the racist rant. It was so real. She's dealing with a lot of heavy stuff, so it's natural that she would blame Ava. And this, too, shows how Asian on Black racism can happen too.

I loved the ambiguous ending. Grace and Mariam confront Darius and Shawn with the knowledge that it was Darius who killed their mom but they forgive him. What happens next? Does Ray get out of the jail? Does Ray get the death penalty (something that disproportionally happens to black men in these cases)? Does that mean he choses to die to protect his son, the true killer? How do the two families live with that? Great stuff. Plenty there for a sequel but I hope she doesn't. Sometimes a sequel ruins the power of the first book.

Four stars for taking a complex situation and leaving it complex. And for capturing the heartbreak and tragedy of violence and racism. And the long tentacles of pain left in the wake of violent and racist acts. The impact of this book was dulled somewhat by the writing. Too much telling and explaining that often got in the way of my immersion in the characters. Still a worthy and important read. Will things ever change for the better?

Really enjoyed the dual narratives.

4.5 for sure. I think this book deserves a lot of praise. I loved the characters. They all were well developed and seemed very real. I kept wanting to know more and more about them. This book covers a tough topic and does it well.

Wow this was so good. Couldn’t put it down.

“Everyone’s a sinner, Grace.” / “Heaven required a Hell, and Heaven was for the repentant.”