Wiley Cash
When Ghosts Come Home
William Morrow
The Plot: Wiley Cash is known for multilayered plots that start as straightforward stories but soon evolve into thoughtful looks at how the past affects the present, adding in issues of race, class, justice, and greed. In When Ghosts Come Home, Sheriff Winston Barnes’ investigation into a plane crash on the coast of North Carolina and the death of a local Black man morphs into a look at the community and corrupt politics as well as a tender story about the relationship between a father and daughter. As he tries to fight crime, Barnes also battles for his job in a bitter re-election campaign against a crooked, and well-financed opponent who is an unabashed racist. Even some of the man’s own deputies are siding against him. Set in 1984, When Ghosts Come Home shows how far we have come—and how far we haven’t.
The Character: Sheriff Winston Barnes joins Cash’s other strong, complicated characters—good people up against those who often hide their dishonesty and shady side. And like Cash’s other characters, Barnes is flawed, haunted by past mistakes. His love for his family drives him as much as his quest for justice as he tries to help both his wife, who has cancer, and his daughter, who is grief-stricken over her stillborn baby.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
6 New Writers to Watch
Wiley Cash’s debut, A Land More Kind Than Home, about the bond between two brothers landed on the New York Times Best Sellers List and received the Crime Writers’ Association Debut of the Year.
ANN CLEEVES
British author Ann Cleeves has an affinity for remote areas and how these isolated regions affect her characters.
CARLENE O'CONNOR
“Anyone can play Snow White. It takes real talent to play the Wicked Witch.”
Mystery Scene MISCELLANY
FIRST USE OF FINGERPRINTS
PANIC ATTACK
The newest entry in my Pittsburgh set series of thrillers is called Panic Attack. It’s the sixth book featuring Daniel Rinaldi, a psychologist and trauma expert who consults with the Pittsburgh Police.
LAIDLAW'S LEGACY
During the pandemic, Ian Rankin stepped away from Rebus and into the shoes of friend and literary hero, the “Godfather of Tartan Noir” William McIlvanney.
HILARY DAVIDSON
Call it The Case of Life Imitating Art.
Thomas Walsh - The Unusual Suspect
Any paternity test on the sub-genre of police procedural will identify the DNA of Ed McBain and Lawrence Treat, as well as the 1948 movie The Naked City and the radio and TV series Dragnet…and of course Thomas Walsh.
S.A. COSBY
In Razorblade Tears, two aging men—one Black, one white, both with criminal pasts—join forces to seek revenge for the murders of their gay sons. The themes of fathers and sons and toxic masculinity will be familar to fans of Cosby’s 2020 breakout Blacktop Wasteland.
VIPER'S NEST OF LIES
A slip of the tongue is a dangerous thing. Not only does it expose indiscretions, it also can lead to murder. The latter especially applies to me.
