Book Review: The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson

When Candice moved from Atlanta to Lambert, South Carolina the last thing she expected to find was a mysterious letter addressed to her grandmother about a terrible racial injustice from the past and a mystery to be solved surrounding the events. Together with her new neighbor Brandon, they must uncover the past of Lambert, both good and bad, to find the truth and bring it light.
 

Gray pages give indication that you are reading about a character from the past and how they fit into the story. Each is a new clue and piece to the overall puzzle that Candice and Brandon are working to solve. Both Brandon and Candice are inquisitive and smart making connections and solving clues. The true beauty of this book is how Johnson portrays each of the past characters' role in a time where racism hung heavily over the town in a way that instead of placing blame gives the facts and perceptions that are respectful to each character. The weaving of the mystery with the story is captivating and will have you eagerly reading until the last page.

"Each new revelation uncovers a long history of racism and tension in the small town and how one family threatened the black/white status quo. Johnson’s latest novel holds racism firmly in the light. Candice and Brandon discover the joys and terrors of the reality of being African-American in the 1950s. Without sugarcoating facts or dousing it in post-racial varnish, the narrative lets the children absorb and reflect on their shared history. The town of Lambert brims with intrigue, keeping readers entranced until the very last page. A candid and powerful reckoning of history. " -Kirkus Book Review

Book Information:

Johnson, V. (2018). THE PARKER INHERITANCE. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books. ISBN 9780545946179

What Next? 

Read THE GREAT GREENE HEIST also by Varian Johnson!