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It's rare to encounter a writer who seems to get better with every book he or she writes. Such is the case with Attica Locke, who revisits a character from her first novel, BLACK WATER RISING, in her new murder mystery, PLEASANTVILLE. Attorney Jay Porter has been though a tough year and has whittled his caseload down to one final (so he hopes) class action lawsuit against a Houston-based chemical company.
However, larger things are at play, many of which will only be revealed slowly, piece by piece, as the novel progresses. The story opens with a robbery of Porter's law office, but what is the thief after, since nothing valuable appears to be missing? Meanwhile a major election is under way, in which the city's first African-American chief of police is running. He's a long-time resident of Pleasantville, the first middle-class neighborhood for blacks in Houston. He's also the son of one of the city's greatest leaders, a champion of the neighborhood.
When his campaign manager (his nephew) is accused of the murder of a young girl, who was passing out fliers for the opposing candidate, Jay Porter unexpectedly steps in to help the accused. Porter's no defense attorney, but the family has faith in him to defend their family mentor at trial. Meanwhile, Porter's class action suit appears to be falling apart, and someone is still lurking around Porter's properties, this time his home.
As the murder trial and election become increasingly intertwined, Jay Porter and those close to him increasingly appear to be targets, but by whom? The surprise ending is as pleasurable as the many elements of history and politics that Attica Locke brings to the table to tell her story. This is an engrossing tale, from page one until the end. Each piece of the puzzle links together in a perfect whole to tell the story of one family, one neighborhood, one city.
§ Christine Zibas is a freelance writer and former director of publications for a Chicago nonprofit.
Reviewed by Christine Zibas, April 2015
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