MWSA Book Review
Authors: R.C. Morris
Publisher: Publish America
Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA
Murders, Hatreds, Corrupt Politics, The Klan – makes for a great thrill ride!
Author R. C. Morris has all the elements in his murder mystery thriller “Don’t make the Blackbirds Cry.” As soon as you start the book you are witness to the rape and murder of two black and one white teenage girls by five young men. One of those young men is the star high school quarterback and the sheriff’s son. The eyewitness, a young orphaned and homeless teenager, who has just broken in and robbed the local store hides in the darkness of an alley and endures the brutal sight of this crime. One of those young men who were involved turns up dead a short time later. He knows he can not come forward and leaves town. He is the focus of speculation as “person of interest” as his family and his past are ripped apart in the local media. Thus we have the perfect setting for trouble and a great story that follows.
The young man grows up and becomes very successful in journalism, even winning the Pulitzer Prize. He comes back to his home town and takes over the local newspaper. The problems arise as he finds one of the murders is now the local sheriff. He is haunted by the past and troubled by his return home. What happens to him and his attempts to uncover and expose the past makes for some very entertaining reading. Nothing goes as planned for the main character, or for the reader as you try to think how the plot will unfold. There are twists, and issues and emotional traumas enough to make this an all engrossing reading adventure. There is even a romantic angle to the story plot.
Morris writes with a certain flare and captures the reader’s attention right from the beginning and never lets up. This is one of those books that is truly a page turner and one that you cannot put down. The author captures the elements of his small Mississippi town and makes you see and feel the hatred and the anger and bigoted attitudes. There are some serious problems with the local Klan and his life is in danger; there are enough other political and personal issues to make this a fully packed adventure.
It is terrifying and exciting and but most certainly entertaining! Obviously, the author has writing talent and it he showcases it well in his first debut novel. Morris makes good use of his character’s dialog; it sounds real and not contrived. The phrasing and word selection works well for the plot and the time and places he writes about. Over-all this is a well crafted novel that can be classified as a “must read” book.
