Tom Franklin is someone to watch. Though it offers a sad story, for my money, the book is just about flawless. People from rural Mississippi might feel that there's a bit too much South-bashing going on, a few too many slack-jawed yokels among the ranks. But it reads like poetry, and much of it rings true. The main characters are Larry Ott, who has been considered guilty of murdering a high school girl for decades and is therefore ostracized by the entire county; and Silas "32" Jones, a black constable who had been Larry's friend for a brief time in their youths. Larry's isolated peace is shattered when another young girl disappears, and again he is presumed guilty.
The relationship between Larry and Silas was developed very well. However, to classify this book as a mystery or who-dunnit is a stretch. Most readers will have figured it out within the first few chapters. I found enjoyment from the writing style and compassion for its characters more than the mystery piece of the novel. Nonetheless, I didn't put down the book until it was finished and did not grow bored of the story or its characters.
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