Review of Unconscionable

[Isaac Oh]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Unconscionable" by Charles R. Butts Jr..]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Under a blazing sun, Chief Deputy Clay Felton and his team find a lifeless body in an open field, which leads to a spine-chilling case. Sheriff Stoner’s arrival is characterized by his carefree attitude toward the norms and his insistence on the need to keep things secret, which causes tension with Clay. When the officers discover a wallet and a red sweater close to the body, the scene depicts a young black man being violently dragged, but the Sheriff still wants to deal with the case internally to prevent people from panicking. In the meantime, Gracie is trying to find her missing son, Johnny Lee, and she finds out that the unknown young man who was killed is her son. Even though Johnny dies in a rather gruesome manner, Gracie is determined to get justice. When the pressure of the community starts getting to Sheriff Stoner, the plot turns into a dark tale of loss, power, and justice. What is the Sheriff so desperate to conceal, and will Gracie get the justice she seeks? 

What I loved the most about this book is that it is a thrilling read, and it seems like each sentence is crafted to create tension and evoke emotion in the reader. The style of writing is descriptive, and as a result, I could relate to Gracie’s anxiety and fear. Following her ordeal at the Sheriff’s Department, the details that are depicted, such as 'the sounds of chatter, phones, and fax machines’ and how Gracie twists a monogrammed handkerchief in her hand, add to the tension. The conversations are realistic and show the extent of Gracie’s desire to locate her son, Johnny Lee. How the author reveals Gracie’s emotional experience of hope and loss is suspenseful, and the reader is kept in anticipation of the next event.

This book was perfect. It has the tension that keeps you glued to it right from the start. It also raises awareness about the discrimination against people of color in society. There was absolutely nothing to dislike about it. I rate Unconscionable by Charles R. Butts Jr. 5 out of 5 stars. It was professionally edited, and I found only one error in it. I recommend it to lovers of crime thrillers.

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Unconscionable
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