"An exciting small town southern drama"
In Good Hope, Virginia, no one voices an unkind word
when black man Elijah Waddell and white woman Clare Epps
married. When Clare gives birth to their daughter born
without a brain, the infant dies almost immediately.
Clare's grandmother Rosy, a key member of the Victory
Baptist Church, has her great-granddaughter Nora Carol
buried in her church's all-white cemetery. However, the
church deacons remove the casket from the Victory Baptist
Cemetery and has Nora Carol reburied at the nearby black
Zebulon Baptist Church. That same night the Victory Baptist Church is destroyed
and Elijah is arrested, charged with arson as he is caught
watching the fire. Judge Baron orders former Assistant
District Attorney Nat Deeds to return home from Richmond to
defend Elijah. Nat does not want the case and prefers
Elijah to plea bargain. However, the case turns to a
murder charge when the cooling ashes of the church reveal
the remains of the teenage daughter of redneck Sheriff
Talley. SCORCHED EARTH is an exciting small town southern drama
that looks deep into racial relationships from various
perspectives. The story line is loaded with action though
contains a twist too many as the arson charge already
provided readers with incredible insight into the various
characters. The cast except for the stereotyped sheriff is
a deep, complex group whose interrelationships add fathoms
to them so that the audience understands each one's values
and beliefs. David L. Robbins turns a bright spotlight on
death and race so that those fans that appreciate a strong
human drama will want to read. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted March 17, 2002
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