The Cutting Season

The Cutting Season follows Caren Gray, the manager of Belle Vie - a historic plantation-turned-tourist attraction in Louisiana. When the body of a migrant worker is found on the grounds, Caren becomes entangled in both the present-day investigation and long-buried secrets from Belle Vie's past. Set in 2009, the novel takes place against the backdrop of political and economic upheaval, as the plantation sits adjacent to corporate sugar cane fields worked by migrant laborers. Caren's personal connection to Belle Vie runs deep - her own ancestors were enslaved there, and her mother worked as a cook on the grounds. The narrative moves between two time periods, connecting a modern murder mystery with an unsolved disappearance from 1872. Through her search for answers, Caren confronts both the plantation's dark history and the complex realities of race, power, and privilege in the contemporary American South. This literary thriller uses crime fiction elements to explore how the past continues to influence the present, examining the ways historical trauma echoes through generations. The novel raises questions about preservation, progress, and the price of keeping history alive.

Readers describe a slow-burning mystery that connects historical and modern-day crimes on a Louisiana plantation. Many found the atmospheric setting and complex characters compelling, with specific praise for the authenticity of plantation tour operations and the exploration of race relations across different time periods. Positives: - Rich historical details and sense of place - Well-developed protagonist Caren Gray - Thoughtful handling of racial themes - Strong supporting characters Negatives: - Pacing drags in middle sections - Some found the plot resolution unsatisfying - Too much focus on plantation management details - Secondary storylines left unresolved Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (16,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (1,000+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (300+ ratings) Several readers noted similarities to Locke's other works but felt this one moved more slowly. Multiple reviews mentioned wanting more development of the historical mystery element, which some felt took a backseat to contemporary plot points.

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🗸 The novel connects two murders that occurred nearly 150 years apart on the same Louisiana plantation, weaving together both historical and contemporary racial tensions. 🗸 Author Attica Locke named her protagonist, Caren Gray, after her grandmother, and like her character, Locke's grandmother also worked as a cook on a plantation. 🗸 The book was the first selection for Dennis Lehane's imprint with HarperCollins, showing his strong belief in Locke's storytelling abilities. 🗸 The plantation in the novel, Belle Vie, was inspired by the real-life Laura Plantation in Louisiana, which Locke visited during her research. 🗸 Attica Locke worked as a writer and producer for the hit TV series "Empire" and has won multiple awards, including the Ernest Gaines Award for Literary Excellence for this book.