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This is my first book by this author and I am impressed. She has a wonderful ability to bring characters to life and show them with depth and honesty. Actions are seldom just about the final act, but are determined by many complex emotions.

Our main character is Ebby Freeman. When she was just ten years old she was in the house as burglars entered and her older brother Baz was shot and killed. In the process, a treasured family heirloom was shattered. The Freeman’s are a black family, the only black family in their prestigious neighborhood. As such, Baz’s death gets enormous coverage, and Ebby feels eyes upon and whispers follow her throughout her years growing up. Then later, Ebby’s wedding gets called off and again their family has the eyes of the public upon them. She escapes to France for an extended visit, but her past follows her.

Interspersed with the timeline of Ebby and her family is a timeline showing earlier generations. We discover them as enslaved people, and many of the hardships and atrocities they endured. We also learn more about the large clay jar and ancestor created, and how it has been passed down through the generations. This is obviously an important part of the book, but because it included shorter bits from many generations, I didn’t connect with any of these characters as much� though some are discussed in more detail than others.

Throughout Ebby’s journey she learns much about herself and her family and how her brother’s death has affected them in deep ways� affecting their actions, thoughts, etc. Guarding oneself against pain merely makes it retreat deeper and makes the healing even more difficult. I’d rate this 4-1/2 stars rounded up to 5. I think anytime a current day story can also help us learn more about the past, it’s an important read, as well as this one being overall enjoyable. In our current culture, there are many including “leaders� who are trying to erase or reframe our history. That makes books like this even more necessary and important.