Set in the small town of Heron Key, Florida in 1935 everyone is preparing for the 4th of July barbecue. Missy, maid to the Kincaid family, feels she has wasted her life pining for Henry, who went to fight on the battlefields of France. Now he has returned with a group of other desperate, destitute veterans.
After the barbeque, a white woman is found badly beaten and suspicion falls on Henry. Tensions rise, just a gigantic storm heads their way.
I loved this read – it was very evocative. The descriptions of the heat, food and living conditions took me right there. And the descriptions of the hurricane were truly terrifying!
I love an historical novel and this one, based on real events, covers racial issues and tells the story of the WW1 veterans and how they were treated when they returned to America. I also love disaster films so this was the perfect book for me!