Bluebird, BluebirdBluebird, Bluebird
Score Modern
What it's about
When it comes to law and order, East Texas plays by its own rules, as Darren Mathews, a Black Texas Ranger, knows well. Ambivalent about growing up Black in Texas, he got as far away as he could, until duty called him home, to a murder case in a small town full of racial tension and buried secrets.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Edgar Award for Best Novel. Attica Locke writes gripping crime fiction about race and justice.
You'll love it if you liked
Black Water Rising
Ordinary Grace
The TreesGood to know
It's the first of the Highway 59 series. It deals directly with racism.
By the numbers
- Readers52 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics49 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller11 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz7 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #198 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #731 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1371 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
If you like this, read next
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
Verity
Gone Girl
The Martian
2666
Gideon the NinthExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Bluebird, Bluebird worth reading?
Yes. It won the Edgar Award for Best Novel. It ranks #1,371 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 69.4 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Bluebird, Bluebird about?
When it comes to law and order, East Texas plays by its own rules, as Darren Mathews, a Black Texas Ranger, knows well. Ambivalent about growing up Black in Texas, he got as far away as he could, until duty called him home, to a murder case in a small town full of racial tension and buried secrets.
How long does it take to read Bluebird, Bluebird?
About 8 hours (320 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Bluebird, Bluebird won?
Edgar Award winner (2018).
What should I read after Bluebird, Bluebird?
If you liked it, try Black Water Rising by Attica Locke, Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger or The Trees by Percival Everett.