WHAT THE RIVER WASHED AWAY

A missing child, a buried tin of coins, and a terrible secret, these lie at the heart of Muriel Mharie Macleod's powerful first novel set deep in Louisiana's back country, where lawlessness still reigns and the voodoo curses and charms of the old world hold sway. Here 8-year-old Arletta lives with her family in an isolated shack in the woods. Sometimes she sees the white men walking down the track to her home, and knows to hide, but sometimes she sees them too late. Until one day she finds the strength to fight back, with instant ferocity. The men don't return. But when years later she hears that another girl has been attacked, and past meets present, Arletta is compelled to act, plotting a terrible revenge that will make its mark on history. I'd describe it as THE HELP meets THE COLOUR PURPLE. It's dark but ultimately uplifting: a very powerful and personal narrative that stayed with me long after I had finished reading. Publication of this fine novel is set for next month, with an impressive publicity campaign including national and regional radio interviews. It's been called in by all the papers and we'll send on review highlights just as soon as we receive them. http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-River-Washed-Muriel-Macleod/dp/1780742347 ‘Assured and thoroughly compelling On the literary scene, Muriel Macleod is a very new name. If there is any justice, that will not be the case for long.' Searing debut about poor black girl abused by white men in early 20th C Louisiana who finally gets revenge leading to the ‘White Lynchings'. WEL: Oneworld Deon