Born into West Dallas poverty in the 1920s, Beatrice banks on her pretty face to pull her out of the muck. Beauty fades, though, and her mother’s choice in men relegates Bea to a mere possession. Every potential break is soon met with suspicion and ridicule of Bea’s socioeconomic status and street address. When Bea meets debonair (and slightly criminal) Jack Turner, she sees her ticket out of the swamp and factory smoke—after all, playing by the rules hasn’t gotten her ahead. When all her dreams of fame come true, however, they don’t bring the happiness and peace she craves. With a cast of characters alternately encouraging her to run toward sin or toward salvation, Bea must both face the consequences of her life of crime and decide what true religion is.
VERDICT In this Bonnie-and-Clyde tale with a redemptive twist, Wright (Come Down Somewhere) proves her literary chops and puts herself on the level of historical-fiction favorites like Susan Meissner and Fiona Davis.
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