Title: When Ghosts Come Home by Wiley Cash
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Historical (80s), Mystery, Suspense
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss
Summary:
The eagerly awaited novel from the New York Times bestselling author of A Land More Kind Than Home, a tender and haunting story of a father and daughter, crime and forgiveness, race and memory
When the roar of a low-flying plane awakens him in the middle of the night, Sheriff Winston Barnes knows something strange is happening at the nearby airfield on the coast of North Carolina. But nothing can prepare him for what he finds: a large airplane has crash-landed and is now sitting sideways on the runway, and there are no signs of a pilot or cargo. When the body of a local man is discovered—shot dead and lying on the grass near the crash site—Winston begins a murder investigation that will change the course of his life and the fate of the community that he has sworn to protect.
Everyone is a suspect, including the dead man. As rumors and accusations fly, long-simmering racial tensions explode overnight, and Winston, whose own tragic past has followed him like a ghost, must do his duty while facing the painful repercussions of old decisions. Winston also knows that his days as sheriff may be numbered. He’s up for re-election against a corrupt and well-connected challenger, and his deputies are choosing sides. As if these events weren’t troubling enough, he must finally confront his daughter Colleen, who has come home grieving a shattering loss she cannot fully articulate.
As the suspense builds and this compelling mystery unfolds, Wiley Cash delves deep into the hearts of these richly drawn, achingly sympathetic characters to reveal the nobility of an ordinary man struggling amidst terrifying, extraordinary circumstances.
Review:
Taking place in North Carolina in 1984, When Ghosts Come Home by Wiley Cash is a richly developed, character-driven mystery.
Sheriff Winston Barnes and his wife Marie wake up in the middle of the night after hearing a low flying airplane. The small municipal airport is not open at night so Winston’s curiosity is certainly piqued and he heads off to investigate. What he finds is more than just a little perplexing. Barnes immediately discovers a murder victim and an empty plane. He and sheriff department Captain Glenn Haste begin a preliminary investigation but they are interrupted by his opponent in the upcoming election and FBI agents. Winston is frustrated by the quick arrival of Agents Avery Rollins and Josh Rountree since he was hoping his management of the case would be an asset in the election. With his reputation on the line, Barnes deftly balances rising racial tensions and the murder investigation.
Winston’s tenure as Sheriff has lasted for years and he is facing his first challenge at the ballot box. His opponent is wealthy property developer Bradley Frye with a reputation as a bully. Winston’s experience and calm demeanor serve him well as he investigates the murder of Rodney Bellamy who is Black. The victim’s father Ed is a Vietnam Veteran, high school teacher and civil rights leader whom the sheriff highly regards and respects. What Barnes does not expect is the rush to judgment about the airplane’s missing contents and suspicions about Rodney that are enflamed by Frye’s unsubstantiated claims.
In the midst of the investigation, Winston is also balancing issues from home. Marie is suffering from serious health problems and he has concerns about losing the election. Their daughter, Colleen, lives in Dallas with her husband, Scott, and she is struggling in the aftermath of a heartbreaking loss. She is at loose ends with Scott working long hours and she makes an impulsive decision that takes her parents and husband off guard.
When Ghosts Come Home is a captivating mystery with a socially relevant storyline and memorable characters. Winston is highly principled with a strong moral compass but he is also extraordinarily compassionate. The storyline is engrossing and fully captures racial tensions in the south during the early 1980s. Colleen’s story arc is compelling and heartrending as she comes to terms with what she has lost and what she wants for her future. The mystery surrounding the plane crash and Rodney’s murder is intriguing and suspense-laden. Wiley Cash brings this extraordinary story to an unpredictable conclusion that is deeply affecting.
