5 STAR REVIEW: THE WALTZ OF DEVIL’S CREEK by Justine Carver

Book Reviews Coming of Age Social Issues Social Justice Historical Fiction

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Publication Date: October 20, 2020

Judith Campbell is dying, and she cannot take the painful truth about where her son came from to the grave with her. While on her deathbed in Atlanta, Georgia in 1994, Judith tells him the tragic story of his conception, and which of two men his birth father could be: the young man who professed his love to her, or the pastor who assaulted her.

Set in the Deep South in 1947, The Waltz of Devil’s Creek digs into the dark crevices of racism and women’s rights during a heated political climate in an era of segregation. Combined with Judith’s lack of social stature, and at a time when reporting sexual assault was unheard of, every injustice is stacked against her from the very beginning.

But there is a light in Judith’s young life: her best friend, Joseph Bird, who has loved her since childhood. Joseph stands up for Judith when no one else will and proves that even in the darkest of times, a light is always burning.

“The Waltz of Devil’s Creek is a poignant and memorable tale that outshines the standard conventions of its genre.” – The Booklife Prize

TheWaltz-Review Wow. Just wow. This is a heart-wrenching, sad story full of hope and love. Anyone who can read this book without tears is stone cold. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that includes tragedy, loss, violence, rape, and the worst of human nature. It is also a story of love and determination.

As Judith Campbell nears the end of her life, she is compelled to face up to her past and tell her son things she has never been able to tell him before. In a series of flashbacks, Judith explains growing up as a poor white girl in a small town in Georgia. When she falls victim to a horrific act, she learns that justice is not available for the town’s poor and Black residents. Through her experiences, Judith emerges as a strong, capable woman who finds a measure of peace on her own terms.

The Waltz of Devil’s Creek provides a powerful view of a small Southern town in the late 1940s, contrasted with life in the 1990s. It lets the readers see how racism and other prejudices shaped the atmosphere of an entire town. While harsh, it is not without hope. Judith finds an abiding love and the happiness of a family. Those with abuse triggers should avoid this book, but other readers will be deeply touched by this well-written story. Excellent.

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About The Author

Justine Carver was born and raised in the Southern United States on a heavy dose of creek-wading, lightning-bug-catching, and Saturday morning cartoons. She is a full-time writer, all-the-time reader, and every now and then, she pulls her head out of the clouds long enough to remember how much better it is up there.