Jacinda “Jac” Brodie hasn’t been home in six years. Not since the night her father, Chief Montavius Brodie Jr, died. And Jac was blamed for the murder. But in present day, her grandfather, Montavius Brodie Sr, suffers a heart attack. Jac rushes to see him before it’s too late. But that means returning home to the town and people who believe her to be a murderer. And when she does, she reunites with her best friends and meets some new town residents. One of them, Faye Arden, has won the hearts of residents in the past two years. But Jac is suspicious about her grandfather’s death. And as she finds more clues, she realizes there’s more to the story – for both her father’s and grandfather’s deaths. Not What She Seems by Yasmin Angoe is a suspense novel in which Jac seeks the truth about her family’s history, but must do so before the bodies continue to pile up.
Book
Besides her family’s health and security, Jac had another reason to come back home to Brook Haven, SC. In a moment of rage and disbelief, Jac blows up the new life she crafted for herself in DC after leaving. With no job or educational prospects left, she has no choice but to stick around Brook Haven. And has to endure the stares and gossip that come with it. But when she discovers one of her grandfather’s possessions is in Faye’s office, she switches her attention to the newcomer. What possible connection exists between Faye and Jac’s grandfather? Could it have something to do with the two cases that Monty Sr was working on at the time of his death? Why did Faye want the object? The more Jac learns about her family’s history, dots she connects, and the people put in danger’s way, she realizes that perhaps she should have left well enough alone. But it’s too late to stop. And now more lives depend on Jac learning the truth and convincing the town that she’s not the “wild child” they think she is.
Review
Angoe showcases her talent for crafting compelling stories with Not What She Seems. Jac is an interesting character. She doesn’t make good decisions, but I could sympathize with her struggle to move on from the life she once knew. And while I could figure out Faye’s connections to recent events somewhat easily, I did not see the plot twist at the end of the book coming. The story is well-paced and the characters are well developed. It was not hard to suspect or dislike Faye. And Jac’s reputation in the town raises the stakes even more. I also appreciated Angoe’s commentary on race relations and navigating a world where it’s the “angry black woman” against the “nice white lady.” Readers will root for Jac and her family, no matter how impossible the task at hand seems.
Yasmin Angoe joins the Cantina Book Club Podcast to talk about starting a new novel after finishing a series, and what draws her to suspense. Keep an ear out for the interview in an upcoming episode and pick up a copy of Not What She Seems, available now.
