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Pleasantville
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
42 posts | 36 read | 59 to read
It's 1996, Bill Clinton has just been re-elected and in Houston a mayoral election is looming. As usual the campaign focuses on Pleasantville - the African-American neighbourhood of the city that has swung almost every race since it was founded to house a growing black middle class in 1949.Axel Hathorne, former chief of police and the son of Pleasantville's founding father Sam Hathorne, was the clear favourite, all set to become Houston's first black mayor. But his lead is slipping thanks to a late entrant into the race - Sandy Wolcott, a defence attorney riding high on the success of a high-profile murder trial.And then, just as the competition intensifies, a girl goes missing, apparently while canvassing for Axel. And when her body is found, Axel's nephew is charged with her murder.Sam is determined that Jay Porter defends his grandson. And even though Jay is tired of wading through other people's problems, he suddenly finds himself trying his first murder case, a trial that threatens to blow the entire community wide open, and reveal the lengths that those with power are willing to go to hold onto it.
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Julsmarshall
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Back from vacay so I can finally post my August #BookspinBingo stats. 4 bingoes, 25 books read, both #Bookspin and #Doublespin books read. Both #Roll100 books read too :) @TheAromaofBooks @PuddleJumper

PuddleJumper Brilliant! 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Fabulous month!!! 2y
53 likes2 comments
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Julsmarshall
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Pickpick

Finished this a couple of days ago but failed to review. Loved this modern noir mystery, Locke always delivers! This would make such a great movie! #BookspinBingo #August @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
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Julsmarshall
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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An #audiowalk feels different on vacation. The views in Honolulu are surprising-you turn down the next block and find a view like this! #BFC22 @wanderinglynn #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

DHill What a gorgeous view! 2y
5feet.of.fury Wow! Gorgeous view! 2y
TheAromaofBooks So amazing!!! 2y
UwannaPublishme 😍😍😍 2y
ncsufoxes The mountains in Honolulu are amazing. They just go on forever & so green. We went to Kualoa ranch when we went there & it was so beautiful. Have fun! 2y
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Julsmarshall
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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I‘m in this time! I travel for work starting on the 20th, but I‘ll do my best between now and then. My goals are to get 3 bingoes on my #BookspinBingo board. Always love an @Andrew65 #readathon !#AwesomeAugust

Andrew65 Best of luck 😁 2y
34 likes1 comment
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Julsmarshall
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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My #Roll100 books for August! @PuddleJumper

PuddleJumper Oo looks fun! 2y
47 likes1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Pickpick

A tight election, a missing girl, political machinations, murder, this book has it all. I think I‘d call it an intellectual mystery, since it‘s so deftly and tightly woven, with a complex story that Locke beautifully lays out. You don‘t want to take your eyes off it. It‘s just masterful.

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cathysaid
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Pickpick

While it took a while for me to engage (which in our current times might have nothing to do with the book), I ended up devouring the last half in two days. This is Locke‘s second book featuring lawyer Jay Porter. Set in Houston in the 90s, the combination of murder and local politics sets the stage for Porter to either succeed or spectacularly fail depending upon whether he can focus and finally leave the past in the past. Recommended. 4/5 ⭐️

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Addison_Reads
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Pickpick

Another excellent legal thriller from Attica Locke. Like most of her books, this one is set in a small Texas town and she captures the setting and people of the area very well.

This is the second in a series and we learn lots of new facts about the main character, which I was happy about since I felt a little cheated in the first book. The murder/mystery was intriguing and held my attention. Great read!

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andrew61
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Pickpick

I rd black water rising when it came out so after bluebird bluebird last yr i loved going back to this brilliant authors writing + the world of lawyer jay porter. Older, jaded by work& grief with 2 children he is drawn into political intrigue as he unwillingly takes on a murder trial putting himself in danger whilst losing clients in a class action against a chemical co. I love legal thrillers, this is up with the best, hope to see jay again soon.

squirrelbrain I saw that my library has this one, so may read it soon.... but, so many books, so little time! 4y
Crazeedi @squirrelbrain what you say is so true...sigh... 4y
andrew61 @squirrelbrain the readers dilemma ☺ 4y
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BookShark
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Pickpick

Delightful beach vacation destination? Certainly NOT! Attica Locke writes about the unsavory events in Houston politics, crime, and race relations in very entertaining ways. Rich with characters and subplots that may leave you struggling to keep up with lawyer Jay Porter, all will be rewarded by the satisfying end.

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rsteve388
Pleasantville LP | Attica Locke
Pickpick

Wow! Amazing! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I really wanted to change up the authors i read in the mystery genre and was not disappointed. Attica Locke brings the heat and an amazing story, that has so many twists and turns all you can say is: "I didnt see that coming" truly an amazing and talented author. I am glad I bought her other book, Blue Bird Blue Bird!

Amazing! Truly

Liatrek I‘ve read all her books and they are amazing! I really hope we get another Jay Porter book too😊 5y
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rsteve388
Pleasantville LP | Attica Locke

Been a good week so far. I have walked 6 miles today and 7 miles yesterday.

I am om chapter 17 of this book and hope to finish it by the end of this week.

#BFC19 #BookFitnessChallenge #BookNerdHerd

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rsteve388
Pleasantville LP | Attica Locke
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Weekly Check In: walked close to 45 miles (i'll have to double check that later)

Finished: All the Missing Girls, Read up to page 174 of Pleasantville. Its a good book.so far.

@wanderinglynn

#BFC19 #BookFitnessChallenge

wanderinglynn Way to go! 🙌🏻 A fantastic week! 🎉 5y
Crazeedi Wow Rachel great job!! ❤👏👏 5y
13 likes2 comments
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sprainedbrain
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Pickpick

This book was so fun to read! A twisty, fast-paced, smart legal thriller/mystery, complete with courtroom drama, that I did not want to put down. Characters are well-developed and individual, and the writing is very strong. I haven‘t read the first Jay Porter book and had no trouble keeping up. I do plan to go back and read the first, though—Porter is a great character.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#readBlackwomen

#readingwomenchallenge (mystery/thriller by WOC)

sprainedbrain Also, I got this book as a blind date with a book from @Lacythebookworm almost 2 years ago! I‘m SO on top of my tbr piles. 😳😂 5y
Liatrek Loved this book! I hope she writes another one for Jay! 5y
arubabookwoman I've read all of her books and this one and the first one are my favorites. I actually didn't care for her latest, Bluebird, Bluebird, tho' it's highly praised. 5y
See All 6 Comments
Demibom Must on my next-to-read list 5y
Blaire This sound so good!! Great review. 5y
LornaDH Reading this now, and loving it! 5y
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EadieB
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Linda906
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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I don‘t always enjoy political thrillers, but the writing of Attica Locke pulls me in every time! #LitsyAtoZ #TheLetterP

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rather_be_reading
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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This was a book of the month choice a while ago, so I picked it up!

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Brie
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Pickpick

I generally don‘t like legal or political thrillers so this one took me a while to get into. Same with her previous book featuring Jay Porter, black activist turned lawyer. But I think this one was better than her debut so I‘m giving it a pick. Jay comes to the defense of the relative of a mayoral candidate of Pleasantville, a majority minority population, in his first criminal murder trial. There‘s also shady campaign dealings on both sides.

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anrobe
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Picked up several books today while out and about! So happy with my pile! Which of these do you recommend I pick up first?

Cinfhen Min Jin Lee wrote Pachinko right??? I‘d be interested in reading 6y
Cinfhen Nice stack😉❣️ 6y
Reviewsbylola Yes! Agree with @Cinfhen. Pleasantville is on my TBR so I‘d go for that too! 6y
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anrobe @Cinfhen yes! And I‘ve been hearing it‘s fantastic! 6y
Cinfhen Please, if you remember*️⃣ let me know after you read.... 6y
anrobe @Cinfhen I will definitely try to remember!! 6y
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Christine11
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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#BlackandRed #MarchMadness I haven‘t read this one yet but I‘ve heard loads of good things about it ! 🖤❤️🖤❤️🖤

Liatrek I finished this one late last year and it was really good. I‘m hoping she writes another book with Jay Porter. He is a great lead character. 6y
Christine11 @Liatrek That‘s good to hear 😊 I‘m looking forward to reading it! 6y
somebooksaround I love political themes this is great!! Thanks for sharing!! 6y
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jennw1212
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Audio book time. Heard good things about Attica Locke and this one was available from Overdrive.

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Liatrek
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Attica Locke is an amazing author. I enjoyed catching up with Jay Porter and seeing his life and career after the first book. This book was smart with layers of political intrigue. The characters and emotional dynamics are always strong and relatable. The ending was satisfying and in no way predictable. I hope we get another Jay Porter book@in the future. I highly recommend this book and any of Attica books.

emilyhaldi Nice review 👍🏻👍🏻 6y
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Liatrek
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Happy Christmas to all ❤️

BookishMarginalia 🎄⭐️🎄⭐️🎄 6y
DGRachel Merry Christmas!🎁🎄 6y
CAnne Merry Christmas,🎄 6y
55 likes3 comments
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emilyhaldi
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Some of the many books I have my hands on while on #vacation at @Mdargusch house 🤗 Where to start?!
#decdays

Cinfhen Perfect! Enjoy ❣️ 6y
Kaye Doggone. Looks like a good place to hang out. Wouldn‘t have room for an extra guest would you? 😁 6y
AmyG How to decide? Too many good books. 6y
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Kalalalatja Lovely! 👏👏 I can recommend 6y
MinDea The Wife Between Us! 6y
LiteraryinLawrence What a great shelf! I‘ve been wanting to read 6y
Megabooks And super cute! Enjoy! 6y
ErikasMindfulShelf The Night Circus! 😍😍 6y
Reviewsbylola The tagged book, so you can tell me how it is. 6y
137 likes10 comments
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Liatrek
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Happy cozy Saturday my fellow Littens🎄🎄🎄 Crazy week finally catching up on post and getting reading time in before being a productive adult 😊

ephemeralwaltz You look so cozy! Enjoy! 6y
46 likes1 comment
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Nonaroo
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
Pickpick

No photo to accompany this review. I‘m usually not interested in legal or political thrillers but I couldn‘t put this book down! Political intrigue, courtroom drama, and a murder mystery surround the Pleasantville neighborhood in Houston. I wondered why she set the novel in 1996 but then I understood what she was doing. Read it!!

Reviewsbylola Ok, you‘ve convinced me. May have to add this to my December BOTM box! 6y
Nonaroo @Reviewsbylola If you get it you‘ll have to let me know what you think! 6y
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Liatrek
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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It‘s hard some days not to view life as little more than the space between diagnoses, the rest between twin notes of tragedy and catastrophe. - This feels very true sometimes😞

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Nonaroo
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Help!! I have a paper that I should be working on but I can‘t put Pleasantville down! I got it as part of this month‘s Book of the Month Club. Most of this month‘s titles didn‘t grab me so I went back a few months and this jumped out. I‘m glad I picked it, it‘s really great!

JacqMac You are asking the wrong people for help. We‘re all enablers. Lol 6y
Nonaroo @JacqMac LOL! I just told myself that I have 30 pages left in the book and once I finish I can get back to the paper. 6y
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Liatrek
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Finally starting this one 😊

Reviewsbylola I‘ve been curious about this one! 6y
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guinsgirlreads
Pleasantville LP | Attica Locke
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My November BOTM box.. 📦 I feel much better now 👍🏻😁

aschermetz And Then There Were None is one of my all time favorite books! 🙌 6y
25 likes1 comment
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karenna
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Pickpick

Read this book when you're ready to get absorbed in a good mystery. The primary characters are people with whom you enjoy spending time, and the plot is satisfyingly complex.

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rachelwill
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Book 12: A political thriller - not the style I usually reach for except when I've worked through a holiday reading pile and have to resort to sharing someone's airport fiction purchase... However, Pleasantville is a step above, crafted plot and strong characterisation - and almost cinematic in its telling. Research tells me it's protagonist Jay Porter features in one of Locke's earlier novels - another for the TBR.

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sprainedbrain
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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#bookmail

Today I received my #blinddatewithabook from @Lacythebookworm I had no idea what it was from the clues, and I am super excited to read it!

Because she's awesome, Lacy also sent a bonus book from my TBR. 😃

I ❤️ #litsygoespostalOG

KimM Oh cool! I couldn't guess it. #blinddatewithabook (edited) 7y
MallenNC Pleasantville is great! 7y
Lacythebookworm I hope you enjoy them! 🙌 7y
See All 13 Comments
Prairiegirl_reading Cool!! I have Pleasantville on mount tbr. I should get on it! Must learn to read faster! 7y
Ruri_kaichou Oh my gosh! Is there any way you could get me some info on how you and your group did 'blind date with a book'? There was some initial interest with my book club to do one but we are all across the country so how to have people choose can be an issue. If I can borrow your idea, I may be able to get something going. 7y
sprainedbrain @Ruri_kaichou we are all over the country, too, so I'm sure you can make it work. We use the Slack app to communicate with each other, and @PatriciaU set up a special channel for us to post our wrapped books with clues attached. On the planned date at the scheduled time, we all commented on the book we wanted, and first comment won that book. Then we just mailed our book to the winner. 😃 (edited) 7y
Ruri_kaichou Gotcha! So the person who chose the book is not anonymous... Just the wrapped book? A lot of members don't use Slack but I'm sure it will work in our FB group. Thank you! 7y
sprainedbrain @Ruri_kaichou That's correct, we knew who chose the book, just not what the books was. 😃 7y
Bookworm83 @Ruri_kaichou Maybe we could set up a Slack account for the CO Litsy group. Hmmmmmm..... 🤔🤔 7y
Ruri_kaichou @Bookworm83 that's a great idea! 7y
LatrelWhite @sprainedbrain A must read to add is "The Cutting Season" by Attica Locke 7y
Lola @Latrelwhite I just picked that one up for my Kindle. It's on sale now for 1.99 https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007HBT7YK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=&sr= 7y
LitsyGoesPostal 😊👍🏻 7y
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Amie
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Pickpick

Good mystery/legal thriller. Excellent audio narration.

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GuiltyFeat
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Simply outstanding. This is the third Attica Locke book I've read and it's a fine piece of work. Building on the racial and political tension established in Black Water Rising, Jay Porter returns over a decade later, older, wearier but just as unwilling to let things slide.

This is a first rate political thriller that cements Ms Locke's place in the pantheon alongside Walter Mosley, James Ellroy, George Pelecanos and Dennis Lehane.

MallenNC This one is great! 8y
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mischa
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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I've been mentally and physically exhausted from work over the past week or so and as such haven't been reading as much as I would like. I am about 1/4 of the way through this, however, and am thoroughly enjoying it this far.

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fmcgeough
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Pickpick

Election night in Houston. 1996. African American community of Pleasantville. A young woman has disappeared. Lawyer and former black power activist Jay Porter is the main character trying to hold his life together after the recent death of his wife while dealing with mayoral political intrigue and an investigation into the woman's kidnapping/disappearance. Lot going on but really enjoyed it.

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RealLifeReading
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Pickpick

I love Attica Locke's books but haven't really seen them much on Litsy so this is gonna be my pick for under-hyped book. A smart and intense political murder-mystery, this is actually a sequel of sorts to Black Water Rising. But you could easily read it on its own. Locke's The Cutting Season is also a great read. Pleasantville was longlisted for the Baileys Women's Prize. I really think it ought to have been shortlisted!! #augustphotochallenge

readingonarainyday I haven't read any of her books but I do have her Black Water Rising on my shelves. 8y
Legxleg I loved The Cutting Season. I definitely second your recommendation of her as an author. 8y
Liatrek I've read her first two books and look forward to reading this one. 8y
81 likes13 stack adds3 comments
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LuvliLadi27
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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Read a great review by Simon Savidge of The Readers podcast and Savidge Reads blog. I was immediately hooked on Pleasantville. Added to my list. This doesn't include my physical TBR and Kindle books on hold. Lol 🤗 📚📚📖 #PreachingToTheChoir

shawnmooney It sounds great! I've just added it to my TBR. I follow Simon's blog, podcast, and twitter feed but I can't find his review of this. Oh well, no problem: I'm glad I saw your post! :) 8y
LuvliLadi27 @shawnmooney I almost couldn't find it myself. The Readers podcast, episode 154. About 23:35 into the podcast. Always glad to help. Just getting into the book now that I have my physical library copy. 8y
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sleuthsandspies
Pleasantville | Attica Locke
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For Locke, this fiction of a deteriorating American Dream is of a representative, transparent body politic, which she intricately analyzes and dissects in the bureaucratic machinations that exploit a young woman‘s death and unapologetically implicate an innocent man.

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