I honestly struggled to find any similarity between this book and the historical fiction series beginning with the Land Breakers that John Ehle authored. It could be that I just can't comprehend the dynamics of an abusive relationship. I should probably be careful about dropping spoilers but I think that the book's title already tells readers what is going to happen.
In its defense, the courtroom and jury scenes are very entertaining but there's were too many scenes where I just wanted the story to move along. ( )

Aug 5, 2022 - Aug 6, 2022

John Ehle is quite the master of both the Southern mind and the complicated relationships people have with one another. Winnette Plover is on trial for her life. She has killed her husband, Lloyd Earnest Plover, but of course, there is more to the story than that. Ehle tells us Winnette’s story through changing points of view, including Plover’s best friend, Blue; Blue’s girlfriend, Anne; his ex-wife, Mavis; Mr. MacMillan, Winnette’s attorney, and Winnette herself. The only key character we do not hear from is Plover, but believe me when I say we get a very clear picture of exactly who he was.

As the story develops, Winnette’s life begins to fit into place and we absolutely know, early on, that this could never have had anything but the disastrous ending it has come to. But even knowing that, Ehle has some surprises for us. He also manages to keep the outcome of the trial a mystery until the verdict is delivered, which I think proves his ability to design a plotline that holds through to the end. Finally, he also manages to incorporate enough humor into this story to keep it from becoming morose.

To anyone who has read The Land Breakers, this is a complete departure from that novel. It is not historical in content or setting, and it tells a very intimate tale, while The Land Breakers was more the story of a group of people. However, this book accomplishes what it sets out to accomplish with the same kind of deft control and clearsightedness. I enjoyed it, in its difference, in much the same way. This is my third Ehle, and I hope to read them all before I am done. How do we lose these magnificent writers? Why on earth does this book have only 3 reviews and 50 ratings? I’m thinking we need a revival!
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