Bluebird, Bluebird

By: Attica Locke

Narrated by: J. D. Jackson

A "heartbreakingly resonant" thriller about the explosive intersection of love, race, and justice from a writer and producer of the Emmy-winning Fox TV show Empire (USA Today).

"In Bluebird, Bluebird Attica Locke had both mastered the thriller and exceeded it."-Ann Patchett

When it comes to law and order, East Texas plays by its own rules -- a fact that Darren Mathews, a black Texas Ranger, knows all too well. Deeply ambivalent about growing up black in the lone star state, he was the first in his family to get as far away from Texas as he could. Until duty called him home.

When his allegiance to his roots puts his job in jeopardy, he travels up Highway 59 to the small town of Lark, where two murders -- a black lawyer from Chicago and a local white woman -- have stirred up a hornet's nest of resentment. Darren must solve the crimes -- and save himself in the process -- before Lark's long-simmering racial fault lines erupt. From a writer and producer of the Emmy winning Fox TV show Empire, Bluebird, Bluebird is a rural noir suffused with the unique music, color, and nuance of East Texas.

Critic reviews

One of CrimeReads's 10 Best Novels of the DecadeWinner of the 2018 Edgar Award for Best NovelA New York Times Book Review Editors' ChoiceA Finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book PrizeA Washington Post 10 Best Thrillers and Mysteries of 2017A Kirkus Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2017A Financial Times Best Book of the YearBest book of the year from Vulture, The Strand Magazine, Southern Living, Bolo Books, Publisher's Weekly, Book Riot, The Guardian, Lit Hub, The Boston Globe, Dallas News, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Minnesota Public Radio, Texas Monthly, The Daily Beast, and the South Florida Sun Sentinel

"A quick course in plotting and nimble characterizations rooted in a vividly evoked setting"—Nicole Lamy, New York Times Book Review

"An emotionally dense and intricately detailed thriller, roiling with conflicting emotions steeped in this nation's troubled past and present. . . . A rich sense of place and relentless feeling of dread permeate Attica Locke's heartbreakingly resonant new novel about race and justice in America. . . . Bluebird, Bluebird is no simple morality tale. Far from it. It rises above "left and right" and "black and white" and follows the threads that inevitably bind us together, even as we rip them apart."—James Endrst, USA Today

"Gripping, suspenseful and gut-wrenching . . . I've never bought the notion of the Great American Novel. I think when literary historians look back, they'll realize this time had many, but if Attica Locke's Bluebird Bluebird isn't on the list, I'm coming back to haunt them. . . . This is a layered portrait of a black man confronting his own racial ambivalence and ambition told with a pointed and poignant bluesy lyricism. . . . Locke's novel is America 'telling on itself.' Listen up."—Carole Barrowman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Attica Locke's terrific Bluebird, Bluebird (Mulholland) simmers with racial tensions . . . a story told with Locke's crystal-clear vision and pleasurably elemental prose."—Seattle Times

"In Bluebird, Bluebird Attica Locke had both mastered the thriller and exceeded it. Ranger Darren Mathews is tough, honor-bound, and profoundly alive in corrupt world. I loved everything about this book."—Ann Patchett

"Few contemporary writers have portrayed black Southern life with as much wit and heart-pounding drama as Attica Locke. . . . A dazzling work of rural noir that throws into question whether justice can be equally served on both sides of the race line."—Amy Brady, Los Angeles Times

Attica Locke knows how to tell a story

From the start Attica Locke weaves a tale of the highs and lows of family history, race relations, and life in East Texas. Great characters and vivid descriptions make this a wonderful and engrossing listen. The narrator’s velvet voice ands to the enjoyment.

I really didn't like this book

Some, not all, of the research was accurate on Texas law; but overall, the main character was so flawed he seemed to contradict himself at every turn. Next to no resolution of character issues, and the resolution received was dissatisfying. I was quite disappointed after all the positive reviews. I had higher expectations for it. And I agree with the Texas gentleman complaining about the main character frequently grabbing women, which was unrealistic and distracting. That is not likely from a Texas gentleman and it would not be something done by a Texas Ranger either.

Close to five

While not THE best very close. I really liked the performance and the character development.

It’s okay

Poor character development but decent story. I was thoroughly confused during the first five chapters. The narrator is great!

Interesting. Enjoyed the reader and the story.

I'm not familiar with race relations in Texas. As a black woman who has lived all her life on the East Coast and visited Dallas briefly, the story and the portrayal of race relations we're interesting and difficult to hear. Enjoyable story. Really liked the reader's voice -- made me want to keep listening and feel relaxed.