Pleasantville

By: Attica Locke

Narrated by: JD Jackson

In this sophisticated thriller, lawyer Jay Porter, hero of Attica Locke’s bestseller Black Water Rising, returns to fight one last case, only to become embroiled once again in a dangerous game of shadowy politics and a witness to how far those in power are willing to go to win.

Fifteen years after the events of Black Water Rising, Jay Porter is struggling to cope with catastrophic changes in his personal life and the disintegration of his environmental law practice. His victory against Cole Oil is still the crown jewel of his career, even if he hasn’t yet seen a dime thanks to appeals. But time has taken its toll. Tired and restless, he’s ready to quit.

When a girl goes missing on Election Night, 1996, in the neighborhood of Pleasantville—a hamlet for upwardly mobile blacks on the north side of Houston—Jay, a single father, is deeply disturbed. He’s been representing Pleasantville in the wake of a chemical fire, and the case is dragging on, raising doubts about his ability.

The missing girl was a volunteer for one of the local mayoral candidates, and her disappearance complicates an already heated campaign. When the nephew of one of the candidates, a Pleasantville local, is arrested, Jay reluctantly finds himself serving as a defense attorney. With a man’s life and his own reputation on the line, Jay is about to try his first murder in a case that will also put an electoral process on trial, exposing the dark side of power and those determined to keep it.

Wow!!!!!Shocker

It’s a story that catches your eye by the title, feeds you with its sides of a good book, but it’s surprises you with the distinct flavors that Ms. Locke throws in there. Finally blesses you with a great and shocking dessert for an ending. Great book.

Good and relavant

Very good story a little drawn out but well developed and it would make a good movie. After listening to an interview with Attica Locke on NPR last week I wanted to hear one of her books. I am happy I chose this one. As I said It is a good story. I struggled, to keep the characters straight in the beginning. This put me off a bit because there were so many of them. So the story feels drawn out. This is because some characters and their descriptions are lengthy. While it is drawn out a little bit it keeps you on the edge of you seat. I found myself going from PC to phone to take the story with me as I was on the move. A couple of times I thought I knew who did it but the reveal comes at the end. Do yourself a favor and listen to this book

It just keeps getting better!

Attica Locke is now my favorite mystery thriller writer right next to Walter Mosley. J.D. Jackson's talented narration is spot on! Anyone who loves mystery will love Attica Locke.

Interesting and fast moving!

A twisty, convaluted mystery wrapped inside an interesting case. Tight but believable dialogue and characters who look and sound real.

This is an excellent author. I will be reading all of her books. I am a Houston native, 81 years of age.

Attica tells a fantastic Houston/East Texas story. As a 81 yr old Houston native, I revel in the accuracy of her setting.