Publication Date: December 7,
2021
Format: Audio
Genre: Crime Thriller
Narrators: JD Jackson
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Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Length: 7 hours 40 min
Buy: Kindle | Audio
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Synopsis
Langston Brown is running out of time and options for clearing his name and
escaping death row. Wrongfully convicted of the gruesome Mother's Day
Massacre, he prepares to face his death. His final hope for salvation lies
with his daughter, Liza, an artist who dreamed of a life of music and song
but left the prestigious Juilliard School to pursue a law degree with the
intention of clearing her father's name. Just as she nears success, it's
announced that Langston will be put to death in thirty days.
In a desperate bid to find freedom for her father, Liza enlists the help of
Eli Stone, a jazz-club owner she met at the classic Five Points venue, The
Roz. Devastated by the tragic loss of his wife, Eli is trying to find solace
by reviving the club… while also wrestling with the longing to join her in
death.
Everyone has a dream that might come true—but as the dark shadows of the
past converge, could Langston, Eli, and Liza be facing a danger that could
shatter those dreams forever?
Inspired by the atmospheric poetry of Langston Hughes and set in the heart
of Denver's black community, this gripping crime novel pits three characters
in a race against time to thwart a gross miscarriage of justice… with deadly
consequences.
Review:
I received this book free from the publisher Dreamscape Media through
netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
This book was fabulous. What an insightful and very relevant book for
today. Set in Denver's five point section it reminds you of the fabulous
jazz players that began their careers there. This book is deep in black
culture. From the music, to the poetry to the injustice.
I loved Eli. His character is tortured and vulnerable yet with a
compassionate need to do the right thing. Ever since he witnessed his beloved
mentor and priest murdered Eli has been terrified that the perpetrator knew he
was there and would come for him. He has lived his life looking over his
shoulder, having panic attacks and living in an underground bunker. With
his wife dead he struggles to live day to day but something about Liza and her
passion lights him up.
Liza is a single mother whose father Langston Brown is slated to be executed
for the mothers day massacre even though he had an alibi and even the
witnesses said the culprit was white. She was just a child then but has
gone to law school in order to get her dad off death row but she is running
out of time. When she stumbles into Eli's club for a drink she finds
much more. An ally, a friend, and someone who can give her a venue to pursue
her other passion, singing.
This is a complicated but all too common story. White man is charged
with the massacre and is let go, Black man then gets charged with the same
crime even though he has an alibi and he is convicted and sentenced to die.
The cop who finally "caught" Langston Brown is the same cop that Eli saw
in the confessional right before his mentor was murdered. Eli heard him
confess to setting someone up for a crime they didn't commit.
With interesting commentary on race, race relations and the justice system
this book kept me riveted. If there was ever a book that really shows how
flawed the justice system is and why we should abolish the death penalty this
is it. I found myself savoring the words, enjoying the lyrical prose and
really becoming engaged in the emotion of what was going on. Black Lives
Matter and this book really gets to the matter of why that slogan and movement
came to be. The narrator was fantastic, I can't say enough about this
book.
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