the setup…
It is 1927 Newville, Oklahoma, a thriving black township, and the occasion is Richard (Rich) Milford’s funeral. He was a notorious moonshiner and womanizer, his four “wives” (and twelve children) the only ones seeming to mourn his death. Lally, Sophronia, Georgette and Vivianne are also the main suspects in his supposed murder after his body washed up on the riverbank, bloated and missing a foot. But they aren’t the only ones who might have wanted him dead.
the heart of the story…
I love when stories begin at the end and then work backwards to provide context and color. Each of Rich’s wives, along with the townsfolk, are given voice and boy do they have a lot to say. The writing is lyrical, full of lore that still lives today (the devil beating his wife when the rain pours on a sunny day) and reflective of time and place. It’s highly atmospheric with the townsfolk gossipy and equally as full of character as these four women.
the narration…
Kevin R. Free, Kamali Minter and Adenrele Ojo bring the pages alive, understanding the assignment. They represent the women and the collective townspeoples’ voices and were beyond outstanding.
the bottom line…
Rarely have I read an historical fiction story so rich in character and life, combining mystery, humor, tragedy and history so elegantly. It’s short but powerful and I could easily visualize the town and these remarkable women who deserved so much more than Rich Milford. Who murdered him? Well, that’s as classic as the story.
Book Info
- Release Date: October 6, 2026
- Narrators: Kevin R. Free, Kamali Minter & Adenrele Ojo
- Audio Length: 4 hours, 35 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
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