“When we were raised in this very home, my parents protected us. But I came to know what was beyond the walls of this place. I learned early on that the world don’t like us black folk, that some even hated us. Even through smiles, people didn’t think we belonged. We had a choice: to stay inside and feel safe, or go out into this world with its glory and its evil.”
Rush was overwhelmed by shame, aware he was forcing her to explain herself because he couldn’t, and having her summon painful memories to assuage his conscience.
“Dear, I’m very familiar with hatred. It isn’t a surprise to me. A fiery cross in my own yard most certainly was the devil’s work, but the man who did it, he holds no power over me.”
Rush couldn’t look at Wynn. He didn’t want her seeing him stripped of all pretense and realizing he was a slow learner who hadn’t yet understood his lesson.
“My parents taught us to believe in a person’s potential for good, but not depend on it. I’ve lived my life relying on a higher power. For me, it is God’s law, and the Holy Scriptures tell us to minister to the wicked and to the righteous the same. Mr. Rush, do you have your lawyer version of that? I hope you do, for your sake.”
This book was a powerful statement on the fight against racism. Every time it seems like progress is made, more trouble turns up. The idea that this book was inspired by true events makes it an even more disappointing picture of some segments of humanity.
Official synopsis:
Readers will spend time with both the innocent and guilty in this compelling legal thriller that gets underneath history’s surface to explore the conflicting forces of bigotry and tolerance that still exist in the new South. Rush and other memorable characters struggle to find or hide the truth. Through captivating interrogation and trial scenes, events show how easily the pursuit of justice can become tainted and lay bare the violent collision of hate, truth, and corruption in modern America.
Author Michael McAuliffe has practiced law for over 30 years, including as a federal prosecutor, a trial attorney for the civil rights division of the Department of Justice, and an elected state attorney in Florida. This is his first novel.
This book started out as a strong page-turner for me. But before I was halfway done, I was satisfied with all the storylines and didn’t feel like I needed to know that much more. Maybe legal thrillers just aren’t my jam (although I’ve enjoyed some in the past), but this felt like a grand jury, that led to a trial, that led to another grand jury and another trial … etc.
While it never felt like there was closure to the cases, I think that was part of the author’s point. Even when you know what’s wrong with the world, sometimes there is no way to bring justice. Maybe I’m too attached to my happy endings, but I was kind of over this whole book when everything kept working out almost right, but not quite.
I also found that I couldn’t really describe some of the characters after reading the book. Characters are usually the main point of engagement for me, and I’m not really sure what all the FBI suits and lawyers "looked" like, if you know what I mean.
The fact that it was inspired by true events is pretty heartbreaking. I’m ashamed to live in a world where people think some of these atrocious behaviors are acceptable, and I don’t know what I can do. It’s sad and frustrating.
Overall, I’d give this book 3 out of 5 stars. The writing style was smooth and got the point across, but the whole thing left me feeling kind of sad about the world, which is usually the feeling I’m reading to get away from.
{click here to pre-order - the book will be out on March 3, 2020}
Becki Bayley is a mom, a baker, a reader, and a snacker. She likes relaxing, watching birds, and blogging at SweetlyBSquared.com.
GIVEAWAY:
One of my lucky readers will win a copy of No Truth Left to Tell!
Enter via the widget below. Giveaway will end on Wednesday, March 4th, at 11:59pm EST, and winner will be notified via email the next day and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen.
U.S. residents only, please.
Good luck!
No Truth Left to Tell, by Michael McAuliffe
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