Tracy Beaumont is only a teenager, but she is a powerhouse. For seven years she has written to Innocence X asking them to review her father’s case. Imprisoned on Death Row for the murder of a business associate, her father only has a short time left until he will be killed. Convinced of his innocence, Tracy is determined to try and get him help.
We are given access to Tracy’s family and see the daily effect on them of this incarceration. She has been shaped by her experience and her moments of reflection on the racism experienced by her and her family is illuminating.
That story alone would be moving, but when her brother – a promising track student – is forced to run when police knock on the door it becomes a whole different thing. The girl he has been seeing – a white girl who happens to be the girlfriend of the sheriff’s son – is found dead. Jamal’s jacket is over her and witnesses claim he was the last to see her. As soon as this happened, I feared what was going to be unleashed.
That story alone would be moving, but when her brother – a promising track student – is forced to run when police knock on the door it becomes a whole different thing. The girl he has been seeing – a white girl who happens to be the girlfriend of the sheriff’s son – is found dead. Jamal’s jacket is over her and witnesses claim he was the last to see her. As soon as this happened, I feared what was going to be unleashed.
What we got was a blistering story, revealing deeply ingrained prejudices, strong characters, a fascinating insight into the history of such attitudes and a compelling argument for never turning the other cheek.
There is so much going on in this book, but it never feels too much. Everything melds together so well. Certain scenes – the attack on the Beaumont home that heralds the understanding of the bigger picture behind this story, for one – made me feel physically ill. I felt anger, I cried and at times I even felt despair that such stories remain feasible. Thankfully, this is a story so there was hope at the end…Even though the love triangle element irritated me and felt unnecessary, I can’t knock a star off just for that (but 4 and a half would be right).
This is a book that I only happened to hear about from another reader. I had not heard about it or seen it talked about anywhere and I genuinely am curious to know why this isn’t being given more attention. I honestly feel this should be compulsory reading.