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In the summer of 1964, ten-year-old Top (a.k.a. Texas Orrin Parker) goes to live with his grandparents, Ned and Becky Parker, along the Red River of Lamar County, Texas. Since his grandpa is the constable around those parts, Top gets to go on his first investigation almost as soon as he arrives. However, his enthusiasm wanes when they come across the mutilated corpse of his Uncle Cody’s bird dog. Soon, more animal mutilations turn up—and the animals keep getting larger.
Unease settles in Constable Ned Parker’s heart each time a new maiming is reported. Cut-out copies of newspaper articles point toward the possibility that the perpetrator plans to move on to children. He also seems to have a personal vendetta against Ned and his family. Fear for his wife and grandchildren drives Ned to find the killer before things escalate into tragedy.
While the investigation goes on, Top and his cousin, Pepper—a slightly foul-mouthed tomboy—spend their time hunting or camping with their Uncle Cody and making trips into town whenever the opportunity arises. But, mostly, Top watches and listens to the adults around him as the hunt for a vicious person with nothing but meanness in his heart grows ever closer to destroying the Parker family’s peace of mind.
The Rock Hole is one of the most enjoyable reads I’ve come across during my reading history—and, believe me, I’ve read tons of books through the years. I loved the setting, the people, and the ambiance of the 1960s that author Reavis Z. Wortham blends together to paint a true portrait of the Southern way of life through fiction—both the good and the bad. He makes it even better by wrapping it in an exceptional mystery that will leave a chill in your blood as you try to puzzle it out along with Ned Parker.
Unless you were raised in the South, however, you might find it hard to understand the dialect. As for me, I found myself laughing because I’ve heard—and used—those words and phrases all my life, and I knew exactly what they meant. I could relate to these characters because of their actions and reactions to certain situations. If you’re bad, be prepared to face the consequences in Texas, while love for the victims (animal and human alike) shines forth.
Suspense, mystery, and tons of heart—seasoned with such a great sense of humor that I think I broke a rib from laughing so hard over one particular scene—make The Rock Hole an unforgettable read. In fact, it’s a novel that you’re guaranteed to read more than once. I know I will.
