When Cicadas Cry is an atmospheric mystery set in rural South Carolina. When a white woman is found brutally murdered, a Black man is found kneeling over her body. This man, Sam Jenkins, asserts his innocence and the quest to prove it begins. But soon two cold case murders from over thirty years ago come to the attention of Zach Stander, the lawyer defending Sam Jenkins. Untangling the past and present is complicated and dangerous as family alliances and old secrets are strong in these isolated communities. 

The strengths of this novel are its descriptions of the scenery and way of life in the deep South, and the narrator artistically brings each character to life. As a resident of the South, I am picky about Southern accents and even regional differences and his vocal abilities were impressive. The combination of the character development and writing with the audiobook was a great experience. I loved the main cast of characters and Sam's grandfather is just incredible. Zach was not as evenly developed as I would have liked, but I enjoyed his perspective and character. 

However, I have several issues with this novel. My antennae went up early on when there were frequent references to the motto "Heritage, not Hate" in regards to the Civil War. The question was repeated, "Is so and so on the side of heritage or hate?" Ya'll, there's no such thing. If you are flying the stars and bars, that's hate. I'm not willing to debate this in the year 2024 and this was my first clue that the author and I wouldn't see eye to eye. And unfortunately, the final twist and the resolution of the mystery was uncomfortable and offensive. There were a few lines intending to make it socially palatable... maybe? If so, it didn't work. 

I had high hopes for this To Kill a Mockingbird inspired story, and I am ending the reading experience disappointed. I would love to read a similar story by a Black author with the lived Southern experience. Those books exist, so I'm off to find some.