Book Review: Anywhere You Run by Wanda M. Morris
By John Valeri
November 14, 2022
Wanda M. Morris emerged as a powerhouse suspense novelist with last year’s All Her Little Secrets. That book won both the 2022 Lefty Award for Best Debut Mystery Novel, the Georgia Author of the Year Award for Best First Novel, and was nominated for several other accolades. It’s also under option as a limited series at Showtime. Now, Morris—who is a corporate attorney and a married mother of three—returns with the historical thriller Anywhere You Run, which captures the treachery and turmoil of the American South.
Summer, 1964: Sisters Violet and Marigold Richards live together in Jackson, Mississippi, in a family home that’s haunted by memories of sadness and despair: the accidental death of their older sister, Rose, eight years before and the subsequent passing of both grief-stricken parents. Then, there’s the specter of the South, which remains deeply divided despite the abolition of Jim Crow laws; in fact, three men were recently murdered in nearby Neshoba County for trying to help African Americans precure the ability to vote. Simply being black is (still) a vulnerability, but Violet carries an even greater burden: she has killed a white man who brutalized her and went unpunished. Consequently, she must flee Jackson, and her sister, in the hopes that she can outrun her past.
To do so, twenty-one-year-old Violet (who soon assumes the name Vera Henderson) skips out on the white man who wants to marry her, making off with his wallet—which, unbeknownst to her, contains evidence of a crime that somebody would stop at nothing to cover up. Though she does her best to acclimate to life in Chillicothe, Georgia, she can never quite settle in; while things are better there, they’re still plenty dangerous, and the townies (including the Sheriff) make it their business to know hers. Meanwhile, Marigold—the sensible sister who dreams of becoming a lawyer—finds herself pregnant and in an abusive, loveless marriage. When she finally works up the nerve to leave her husband and reunite with Violet/Vera, she can’t imagine what will follow.
The narrative is told in two parts and alternates between the sisters’ perspectives, a structure that is both natural and nuanced; indeed, each has a history and perspective that helps to illuminate the depths of the other. This is further amplified by the inclusion of Rose’s diary entries, which are sprinkled lightly throughout and serve as a reminder of innocence lost. Morris also amps up the tension by introducing a third POV: Mercer Buggs, a small-time player from Jackson who is hired to find Violet and report back. Despite growing reservations about the job, Mercer has a wife and critically ill child to support and can’t afford to walk away from the money. When paths converge in Chillicothe, blood will flow in the streets. Who will survive—and at what cost?
In Anywhere You Run, Wanda M. Morris offers a poignant, page-turning reminder that we can’t escape the past—but we can find the courage confront it. Part crime novel and part character study, it’s also a cataloging of conscience that shows how the journey toward absolution begins from within. History comes alive in her capable hands, proving there’s nothing more fettering, or freeing, than truth.
Comments
Comments are closed.
Fantastic site, I could definitely go to your web page once more…acquired some really nice info.
Hello!!
Useful blog. thank you for sharing to us.
Mini Tractor
I love this author. It is very interesting to read what is new, I think it will be just as interesting for me
Really Your Information Amazing!
Bahria chiefs have eventually created one more course of action of Q-Central Grand Mall and Homes by Q-Links Developers which will be the best shopping mall in Bahria Orchard Lahore.
Its a really interesting and informative books for me. I appreciate your work and skills.
The tourist destinations you shared are very good and very useful to me, I will often visit your articles to gain more knowledge.
The customers really like these, therefore it is unquestionably essential to be familiar with how to carry out the process in an effective and proficient manner.
I found what you had to say to be both fascinating and enlightening. I think you would have a lot of fun if you came by my site to play Five Nights at Freddy’s with me.
This information Really To Good & Useful !
In addition to that the plots in Lahore are exceptionally needed by property buyers, however people furthermore truly prefer to buy or develop houses in Lahore because of the momentous system of the city.
This is precisely what I needed.
Excellent post. Very interesting and instructive. Absolutely fantastic posting!.
I’m looking at your posts on this site. And I think this site is truly educational!
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Thank you very much dear teacher for this nice sharing.