It's been nearly 10 years since Billy's father was killed in a hit and run accident, and Billy is aching for some closure. He was only 7 years old that rainy night, so there are lots of things that he didn't understand at the time and many things that he doesn't remember about that day. He has a job digging graves at the city cemetery, and one day while accidentally digging in the wrong area, he digs up an old ammunition box. But because of circumstances, he can't take the box with him right then, he has to come back in the middle of the night to find it. But by then, it's disappeared. Billy is really curious now, whose box is it? Did the pastor see him dig it up? Where is the box now? That last question is answered the next day when Billy finds it just before the funeral and opens it. It's full of jewelry and money, and in the very bottom an old faded article about the pastor's wife dying, one year to the day after his dad died. Billy senses a mystery and decides that he will be the one to solve both his dad's murder and the pastor's wife's apparent murder. But the search only uncovers secrets and lies, will Billy be able to uncover the truth?
I really enjoyed this book! It's different from anything that I've ever read by Cindy Hogan, but it's really well written. I was quickly sucked into Billy's small Tennessee town and life. I really liked Billy and his mom, I loved how willing to forgive his mom was, even though she really had no idea who she was forgiving. I could identify with Billy, needing to know what really happened before being able to move on with his life. Henry, well, Henry's reaction around Sarah Anne just made me laugh. And Amanda, I loved Amanda and the effect that she had on Billy was really amazing. I liked the way the people in the town all have their own quirks and funny habits. I liked that the book really felt like a small southern town where everyone knows and helps everyone else. I liked that this is a fun, clean read. Can't wait to read Cindy Hogan's next book!
I was sent an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
You can buy your own copy of this book at Amazon. Labels: Cindy Hogan, clean suspense, clean ya
