Black Water Rising
Attica Locke. Harper, $25.99 (448pp) ISBN 978-0-06-173586-8
Set in 1981, Lockes compelling if unwieldy debut charts the moral struggles of Jay Porter, a black lawyer in Houston, Tex. Porter, who knows far more about a murder near one of the citys bayous than do the police, doesnt want to come forward largely because of his own criminal past as well as a secret relationship with Houstons female mayor. Another reason is that Porter, having fought his way out of the ghetto, is now striving for a more comfortable lifestyle with his wife and new baby. Why get tangled up in a messy murder, even if it could mean preventing the conviction of an innocent person? Locke, a screenwriter with both film and TV credits (including a forthcoming HBO miniseries about the civil rights movement), steers a gritty drama to a satisfying end, though a sluggish subplot involving labor union issues undermines the novels grander ambitions. A leaner, meaner version was an opportunity missed, yet Locke remains an author to watch. ""(June)"" .
Details
Reviewed on: 06/01/2009
Genre: Fiction
Compact Disc - 978-0-06-177209-2
Downloadable Audio - 978-0-06-190190-4
Downloadable Audio - 978-0-06-190189-8
Open Ebook - 448 pages - 978-0-06-188624-9
Other - 448 pages - 978-0-06-188626-3
Other - 448 pages - 978-0-06-188630-0
Paperback - 434 pages - 978-1-84668-729-7
Peanut Press/Palm Reader - 448 pages - 978-0-06-188628-7