Let Me Die In His Footsteps

‘In the lavender-scented landscape of Lori Roy’s fine novel, secrets from the past emerge like long buried locusts, and the world of young Annie Holleran is changed forever. This is a beautifully observed novel whose details of time, place, and character are stunning little jewels sure to dazzle the eye on every page. Annie’s journey from the comforting lies of childhood to the hard truths destined to shape her as a woman is one that readers will long remember. Quite simply put, I loved this book.’ * William Kent Krueger author of Blood Hollow and Ordinary Grace *
‘Reading Lori Roy is a sinuous, near-physical experience.’ * John Hart, author of The King of Lies and Iron House *
‘This Depression-era story is a sad one, written in every shade of Gothic black. But its true colors emerge in the rich textures of the narrative, and in the music of that voice, as hypnotic as the scent coming off a field of lavender.’ * New York Times *
‘[A] hybrid of mystery, coming-of-age, and Southern gothic literature…It’s taut and evocative – things simmer and sizzle underfoot, and the book practically smells like a lavender field.’ * Los Angeles Times *
‘A richly detailed, highly suspenseful Gothic novel filled with indelible imagery.’ * Huffington Post *
‘An atmospheric, vividly drawn tale that twists her trademark theme of family secrets with the crackling spark of the ‘know-how’ for a suspenseful, ghost-story feel.’ * STARRED Review, Booklist *
‘Powerful…should transfix readers right up to its stunning final twist.’ * STARRED Review, Publishers Weekly *
‘A Faulkner-ian tale of sex and violence from the Kentucky hills.’ * Kirkus *
‘There are echoes of Flannery O’Conner here: poverty, violence, malevolence, and grace. Roy’s writing is spell-like…A masterpiece of southern noir.’ * Historical Novel Society *
‘Young love, Southern folklore, family feuds, and crimes of passion…Roy describes life on a lavender farm in rural Kentucky in vivid detail, and the mystery of what happened years ago will keep readers engaged until the end.’ * Library Journal *
‘This is a page turner: it has a tension-filled, gripping plot with quite a few twists and a heart-stopping climax. A brilliant novel that will have readers seeking out earlier works by this talented author.’ * BookMooch *
‘Primitive beliefs, killings and a public hanging all feature in this brilliantly written novel – southern gothic at its best.’ * Listener *
‘Let Me Die in His Footsteps is a lyrically written semi-gothic novel…It embraces a powerful atmosphere that glowers from its pages, leaving a dark, brooding impression that is hard to shrug off.’ * Stuff NZ *
‘About as Southern and as gothic as Southern gothic can get…Excellent writing makes it scarily believable.’ * New Zealand Listener, Best Books of 2015 *
‘A beautiful, disturbing and insightful novel from a writer who continues to impress.’ * AustCrimeFiction *

Lori Roy was born and raised in Manhattan, Kansas where she graduated from Kansas State University. After having worked as a tax accountant for several years, Lori began her writing career. Her debut novel, Bent Road, was awarded the Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best First Novel and named a 2011 New York Times Notable Crime Book. Her second novel, Until She Comes Home, was named a New York Times Editors’ Choice, and was nominated for an Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best Novel.

Lori serves as treasurer for the Sisters in Crime organisation and is a liaison to the Author Coalition. She currently lives with her family in west central Florida and her most recent novel is Let Me Die in His Footsteps.

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