On one level, this was an enjoyable mystery book. It has a great hook, a flawed and believable main character, and genuine twists and turns.
On another level, it is a book about the African American experience living in a rural area in a red state. If you’re the type to wonder why racial or sexual minorities don’t leave a less than tolerant area, then this is a book you should read. It explains perfectly how you can both love and hate a place.
I learned a lot from this book through the rich characterization of both the people and the places of rural east Texas. I won’t spoil anything here, but there’s a point near the end which made me swear out loud. Bluebird, Bluebird is a full and complete story by itself, but also brilliantly sets the stage for a sequel. I eagerly await the next chapter in Darren’s story.