Blackbird

The author of What Dies in Summer delivers “a crime novel that does so much more than most others . . . dark, haunting and beautifully written” (Mark Billingham, international bestselling author).

On the Arkansas-Louisiana-Texas border, Det. Jim Bonham has been assigned a bewildering case: A woman has been brutally attacked and nailed to a cross on the outskirts of town the day after a devastating storm unnerves the community. Bonham recognizes her immediately as Dr. Deborah Gold, the town’s well-known psychologist. Sensing how many secrets Dr. Gold took to her grave, Bonham’s field of suspects grows to include the culture of the town itself—multiplying the questions that might explain how and why such a gruesome murder could be committed.

With the participation of complex, fully realized characters, Blackbird is not only a commanding crime novel, it is also an exploration of small-town life and how it’s affected by violence and savagery. Wright’s incisive description of the setting and characters perfectly juxtaposes the unknowns surrounding the murder, making Blackbird a memorable addition to the crime canon.

“The prose is muscular and refreshingly dense, and the characters are rendered with such complexity that they feel more real than fictional, a quality that makes the novel all the more harrowing.” —Bret Anthony Johnston, author of Corpus Christi

“Best of all, this has all the markings of a continuing series—good news for fans of gripping crime fiction with a paranormal twist.” —Booklist (starred review)

“Wright has a gift for creating distinct and intriguing characters.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Noir crime with a distinct Southern accent.” —Kirkus Reviews