Black Water Rising

By: Attica Locke

Narrated by: Dion Graham

Writing in the tradition of Dennis Lehane and Greg Iles, Attica Locke, a powerful new voice in American fiction, delivers a brilliant debut thriller that readers will not soon forget.

Porter is hardly the lawyer he set out to be. His most promising client is a low-rent call girl and he runs his fledgling law practice out of a dingy strip mall. But he's long since made peace with not living the American Dream and carefully tucked away his darkest sins: the guns, the FBI file, the trial that nearly destroyed him.

Houston, Texas, 1981. It is here that Jay believes he can make a fresh start. That is, until the night in a boat out on the bayou when he impulsively saves a woman from drowning - and opens a Pandora's box. Her secrets put Jay in danger, ensnaring him in a murder investigation that could cost him his practice, his family, and even his life. But before he can get to the bottom of a tangled mystery that reaches into the upper echelons of Houston's corporate power brokers, Jay must confront the demons of his past.

With pacing that captures the reader from the first scene through an exhilarating climax, Black Water Rising marks the arrival of an electrifying new talent.

©2009 Attica Locke (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Black water Rising

Not a bad read, but felt it would have been much better with less filler material. The writer often gave way too many details about the main character's backstory that weren't really essential to the story. Narration was just okay, voice changes between characters sounded either unbelievable or stereotypical.

Compelling but missing something

I truly enjoy Lockes work, and this novel is so different. Jay is a compelling character, with a tragic background and a moral code that really make you like him. There were many times when I found myself really wanting him to just walk away, but I respect that he didn't. Although this is a long book it really flew by. The only thing I didn't like was that music played in between every chapter. That was weird and unnecessary.

Delightful Surprise

Author was mentioned in another book’s storyline by a different author. This author had me hooked in the few first chapters. When I was not listening via Audible I caught myself thinking about the characters, the era … the decades from a different generation and perspective. Humbling. Storyline with flashbacks was enlightening. I felt invested in the characters slice of life local, national politics. Only 4 stars for performance because I did not like the music at the beginning of the chapters or the voice over the music.

I'm so glad I stumbled upon Attica Locke!

This is my 3rd Locke book! She had a great way of keeping you wanting more. I would put her style along side Greg Isle and John Grisham.
I enjoy that they have a small town feel with a mystery / conspiracy to solve. Her Blue Bird Blue Bird series is phenomenal as well.
The narrator did an awesome job and really got into his performance. 5 stars for him also ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Can't wait to start the sequel to Black Water Rising since she intentionally left us hanging at the end 😉

Hated the melodramatic music

Great writer and drama enough in a well told story. The music between chapters distracted from experience for me.

Lockes Pen Game In Nice

The story was original was like a time machine that took me back to the early 80s i remember those oldscholl people and there old was simple to the point and how those people are now in their 50s and 60s but in the 70s and 80s were in thier prime and i loved to medsage of being the best you can be as a human no hand outs needed loved the book i am buying all are books

Great Cultural Study

This first story in a minority crime series by Locke that revolves around a disillusioned lawyer, Jay, turned part-time investigator set in Houston, Texas in the 1980s tells the minority's perspective of Houston in its heyday. What an amazing cultural study, made exciting in this suspenseful tale.

Hooked On Suspense Now

I had to read this for my class but listening to it kept my mind focused. Amazing story, voice reading and outcome!

Loved It

An excellent and genuine portrayal of that time. I couldn’t imagine having to consider the things Jay did. Character development was well done and pacing was excellent. Really enjoyed listening to this one!

Narration was brilliant, perfect for the story!!

Pretty good. Hated the chapter drums

It was a good story, marred by what I think are dumb actions that a trained attorney would never take. But, if you can ignore a bright man making dumb mistakes just to make the story work, you’ll enjoy it. The narrator was excellent. But I really hated the loud music/drums between chapters. So I only gave 2 stars to the performance.