Attica Locke, Serpent’s Tail

Following the election of Donald Trump, racist crimes have been on the rise in Texas. Feeling particularly empowered are the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas. But when the nine-year-old son of one of their leaders – who is currently serving time – goes missing he pleads with law enforcers to find him. Into the breach steps Texas Ranger Darren Mathews, an African-American. Attica Locke is one of the most feted US crime writers in recent years (she has won the CWA Steel Dagger and Edgar Prize) and she presents us here with a heady brew featuring disputed lands, ancient steamboat disasters, ghost tours and the Caddo lake, a crocodile-infested body of water so large that it stretches into Louisiana. The Ranger, Darren Mathews, actually featured in Locke’s previous book ‘Bluebird, Bluebird’ and although you don’t have to have read that to enjoy this, I would recommend that you turn to that novel first. It, just like this follow-up, is excellent.