It’s 1997. Former NYPD detective Charlie Parker is sitting in an Arkansas jail in The Dirty South.
Charlie is heartbroken over the recent murder of his wife and child while searching for their killer. In the Arkansas town of Cargill, someone is killing and mutilating young African-American girls. Charlie has already determined Cargill’s serial killer is not the one who killed his family. However, he decides to help local law enforcement to solve their case before continuing his own search for answers.
I read A Book of Bones, the first entry in this series when it came out over twenty years ago. I’m not sure why I never continued reading the series. This book is the eighteenth book but as a prequel, it is a good entry point into Charlie’s world.
And what a world it is. Small town corruption and nepotism cover up many a sin. Will it take an outsider like Charlie to entangle the twisted lies and uncover the killer?
I truly enjoyed this look into the sordid belly of a small Southern town. However, it did drag a bit in the middle and there were a lot of characters to keep straight. If you are a fan of the series, I’m sure you will love this book too. For me, and others new to the series, The Dirty South gets 4 stars.
Thanks to Emily Bestler Books, Atria Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.