I'm partial to books that look back reflectively on a person's life so this way a good pick for me. I grew very fond of Miss Judith Kratt and enjoyed the interaction between her and Olva. The southern setting was very well drawn. There was a great sense of place. My only criticism was that I found the the pace a bit plodding, especially in the beginning of the book. It was one of those books, that once put down, did not beckon to me to pick back up. Of course that changed as we moved along in the story and the climax turned out to be a heart pounder.

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The year is 1989, and Miss Judith Kratt is 75 years old. After receiving a postcard from her estranged sister, Rosemarie, which informs Judith of the fact that she is returning home after 60 years, Judith decides that it's time to make an inventory of all the objects in the Kratt house, which was passed on to her after her father died. As Miss Judith whittles away at her inventory list, memories, truths and memories that most would wish had stayed forgotten, emerge, bringing to light secrets that were held in the darkness for so long. A recount of a long life, one filled with admiration, love, racism, segregation, and murder. The last list of Miss Judith Kratt is a slow burn, historical fiction, taking a look at all things accumulated throughout one's life, both the physical and the non-physical. Things are just things, but sometimes, it's the memories associated with those things that keep us holding onto them.

I first requested this story because I was mostly intrigued by the mystery and the murder, but to be honest, while this aspect of the story is important and was the reason behind a great many things in Miss Judith Kratt's life, the murder mystery part of it is actually quite small and generally takes a backseat to the other parts of the story.

This story begins in 1989, when Judith and the old family house maid, Olva, are sitting in the sunroom, it is now that Judith informs Olva of her wish to begin making an inventory of all the possessions in the Kratt family house. The story jumps between 1929, when Judith was but a girl, and her brother Quincy died, and 1989, the present day in Bound of South Carolina. As the reader, we get to experience the differences between the two main time periods, especially in regard to segregation and racism, but we also get to see the similarities between them two. One would think that sixty years would have made such a difference, but in this story, and as we all know, even today in 2019, racism and segregation is still a massive issue. Yes society has evolved, but not as much as one would hope after reading about how people of colour were treated in the 1920s, as well as earlier and later than that too. Yes we know about it in history. But I feel that this story did a good job of putting you right in the middle of such circumstances that would have happened to real people in history. While the story is told from the perspective of a well off, comfortable, white woman, we also see the impact it has for those close to her who she cares about greatly who are victims of the hate and ridicule experienced throughout the times.

I feel that the inventory part of the story, while interesting as each piece contains within a story and a memory, was really just a plot driver. As the story progresses, we hear stories from Miss Judith related to objects, though at times, this felt rather random. These stories would pop up, for instance, while everyone is sitting down to dinner. And while the story told did have to do with sitting at that very table, I didn't quite understand the whole point of the story being told. I didn't feel that it had much relevance to what was going on at the time. Maybe I missed something in my reading of this story, I'm not sure. Maybe there wasn't meant to be a point to the story within the story, maybe it's just the reminiscing of an elderly woman who knows that her time is near? For me I just found that some of the stories didn't really have much to do with the main story, but as I said, maybe I missed something.

For most of the story, I found Miss Judith to be quite abrasive. She's not a very likeable character until towards the end of the book, and I couldn't help but agree with her sister Rosemarie at times. Rosemarie states how Judith just cares about things, and to be honest, it does come across that way. But I think the character of Judith is a lot deeper than I gave her credit for. Her upbringing wasn't 'normal' so to speak, she had a great deal of tragedy happen in her life, and I think that all she ended up having was the things that she surrounded herself with, the things that she never moved from their assigned place inside the Kratt family home. I found Rosemarie's character to be almost quite pointless in her role, she states she is coming home, for a specific reason which we find out once she arrives. She inserts herself into Judith and Olva's lives again after being away for 60 years, she causes unrest and disrupts the nice quiet life they had built for themselves, then when truths are revealed she leaves. I didn't quite understand the point of her character to be honest.

As for the secrets, mystery and murder. I had part of the reveal worked out rather early on, it was easy to discern from character interactions as to what part of the cause and the secret was going to be. However, I hadn't QUITE worked out the murder, I had an inkling, but I wasn't 100% sure until the reveal, though I wasn't surprised to be honest. So the mystery and the murder did take a backseat to the rest of the story which I feel was a recounting of a life through memories and regrets. From wondering if this person should have done things differently, and how everything becomes something else. I found it apt that Judith used to make fun of a housebound woman, and as the years progressed, Judith herself became the town's shut in.

All in all, this was a wonderful story that looks at the changing of the times and the aspects of one's life. How things can hold memories, both happy and painful, and how we're all just human, looking for acceptance and someone to love us.

Admittedly, I had such high hopes for The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt: a historical novel about a town divided; old secrets coming back to the surface. It could have been, like so many other novels of its kind, an absolute masterpiece. But, unfortunately, it centred its focus on the wrong experience as, by giving its primary attention to the trauma that racism in the most southern and divided of the United States has left on its white population, it sidelined and erased black voices. After-all, is that not who we want to hear from? The sidelined and the marginalised? Not the people who lynched, and false-accused, and abused people based wholly on the colour of their skin and now, fifty years later as attitudes have changed and society finally looks down upon them, are forced to feel guilty about it. Frankly, I know how they feel (primarily because they won't shut up about the 'good old days' and the 'it was a different world back then") and I, like many others, are bored of having to listen to it.

This book is about family secrets, racism and power in a very small town in the south. If you like slowly, drawn out, drama then this is probably a good fit for you. THis book didn't pick up for me until about half way through. The rest of the book kept my attention very well, but before that, all the family dysfunction wasn't attractive to me.

An intriguing family drama. Set in the South which tells the story of a family and their family possessions. Very cleverly written. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 3.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

Judith Kratt, living with Olva, a childhood friend in her family estate, is nearing the end of her life and decides to make an inventory of her household items. This list of family heirlooms and belongings is really her life stories, the things she has kept and treasured and they bring so many memories and feelings, both good and bad. each item has a story behind it and this is how we learn of the past of the Kratt family, a once wealthy family that was the envy of most of the town of Bound . While Judith is making her list, her sister, Rosemarie comes back to stay after sixty years, and tensions between the sisters are obvious, Rosemarie has believed her whole life that Judith killed their brother, Quincy. The stories that we glean from he list of items, not only tell us what happened to Quincy, but to the others who meant so much to Judith and we see how rash decisions impact a whole family and perhaps change their outcome.

I enjoyed this story and the way it was told Judith was a great character, as she told us her story, she was biased in the way some things were told and so brutally honest in other parts of her story. Judith's father was a domineering man, he was a tyrant and racist, people feared him, especially his family. He used all weapons available to him to get ahead, especially his children, Judith and Quincy. As times changed, so did the town of Bound, the only thing that never changed was Judith, she remained, surrounded by the items that brought her joy and pain. A lovely story, well written. It makes us think of the things in our own homes and what is really important, what story would the things I keep tell about me?

This novel is told from the perspective of Miss Judith Kratt, age 75 years, and begins with an inventory of her family possessions, which in turn leads to memories of her childhood and fateful events which occurred. The unexpected return of her sister Rosemary after 60 years also threatens Judith's life and unearths family secrets.

This novel is beautifully written and the characters although not all likeable are believable. The story examines sibling rivalry, expectectaions, racism and the lengths people will go to in order to protect themselves.

The author unfolds the story slowly and some of the events I saw coming but not all.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

75, and feeling the end of life coming on, Miss Judith Kratt has decided to take an inventory of all the items in her home. From jewelry to antique desks, each item has a story of it's own to share, set amidst the backdrop of intense racism and the passage of time. Alternating on a timeline between the 1980s and the 1920s, this book is filled with family secrets, tension, and the dynamics of the power differential between black and white people during those passing decades. I was drawn in more than I expected to be given the blurb about the book, and the chapters flew by, traipsing between timelines as seamlessly as doors opening and closing. I have a lot of feelings about the characters in this story, and not all of them get resolved by the closing of the book, but then, they don't really have to. Having evoked those feelings in the first place is a mark of good storytelling and this book has it with leaps and bounds.

Southern family history - Intriguing and beautifully written debut novel - Descriptive array of characters, southern secrets and their consequences. The story lends itself to contemplation on how a story changes with each character's point of view. Some not so likable characters - Daddy Kratt and brother Quincy were particularly vile leading to feeling no compassion for them or their fate.
This is a story of race relations in the south, the declining state of a once-thriving southern town, and a dysfunctional southern family.

As a person that enjoys researching family history, I was drawn to this book.

The story takes place in South Carolina USA. As Judith goes through her heirlooms, each one triggers a memory that leads to something else. That's what ties this novel together beautifully.

This novel was a good read for me from beginning to end.

I recommend this book to readers of historical fiction, mystery and to those who enjoy stories based in the southern USA.

Thank You to NetGalley and the publisher for a free electronic copy to read for review purposes.

The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt is an engaging and enjoyable read. Highly recommended for fans of historic fiction!

Review will be posted 8/20/19

Judith Kratt has inherited the Kratt family estate along with all the other family heirlooms. It's a crumbling mansion in South Carolina and it's filled with a lot of Kratt family secrets. Judith's sister, Rosemarie, left home at thirteen years old and she hasn't heard from her since. After many years, Judith receives a post card from her saying that she is returning home. Judith hasn't seen her sister since her brother Quincy's mysterious murder. The main suspect in Quincy's murder was an employee of the Kratt Mercantile Company, but he also missing, so the murder has always been shrouded in mystery. Rosemarie thought that Judith committed the crime and this is what made her flee the house so many years ago. Judith is determined to go through the house and all of its belongings, but as she uncovers each and every heirloom more and more Kratt family secrets float to the surface. The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt by Andrea Bobotis is a debut mystery that fans of Southern fiction will enjoy, especially ones filled with dark family secrets.

The character of Judith is an interesting one and the Kratt family captivated me from the beginning in The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt. I mean how could it not? There's a murder mystery in her family, a crumbling mansion, heirlooms, and an estranged sister, and so much more. Plus, there's the fact that Judith has a serious Miss Havisham vibe going on as she relies completely on her maid for just about everything.

In The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt, the mystery of Quincy's murder and why the killer did what he did kept me interested and I was surprised by the outcome. Bobotis tells the story through flashbacks and that definitely kept me engaged as I loved the setting of 1920s in South Carolina.

Despite the slow start to The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt, I think it's a solid debut novel. Be forewarned, its themes are a bit darker as it does highlight some of the racial tension present in South Carolina in the 20s, screwed up sibling relationships, and some other darker themes as well. But this is just a word of warning, especially if you like your beach reads to be a little less serious and a whole lot more fluffy.

Book review: Debut novelist delivers southern fiction gem
By Sandy Mahaffey For The Free Lance–Star Jul 13, 2019

Andrea Bobotis’ “The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt” is a little gem of Southern fiction that wove its way into my heart rather slowly at first, but I ended up totally enamored with it and extremely happy that I had read it.

Miss Judith is now 72 and doing a bit of reflecting on her life, so the narrative touches 1989 and 1929, when she was just a child.

Judith’s father was a prominent member of the Bound, S.C., community, owning both cotton gins and the premier general store in town. As a child, Judith was responsible for keeping a running inventory of everything in the store. This skill plays a major role in the book. She has decided to make a list of all the heirlooms left over the years in the deteriorating old family manse where she still lives with her childhood friend Olva.


It is through these heirlooms that she weaves the family story, each bringing back memories both good and bad, tender and chilling. Her decision to make the list is sparked by a letter telling her that her youngest sibling, Rosemarie, has decided to return home after a long absence.

As the list grows with each memory, the story of the event that set everything in motion becomes clearer, bit by bit, until drawing to a remarkable conclusion. In 1929, their brother, Quincy Kratt, was shot to death, with the prime suspect being Charlie Watson, an employee of the store. It is at this time that Rosemarie disappears.

Actions taken by the family, whether well-intentioned or not, have long-lasting consequences. The complexity of the story grows just quickly enough to pique the reader’s curiosity, but not fast enough to make the climax easy to predict.

Bobotis deals with some difficult topics very skillfully: racism, family secrets and their repercussions, deception, family relationships and survival of the fittest.

Her characters are marvelous, some endearing, others not so likable, but all beautifully portrayed and bringing the story to life.

Sandy Mahaffey is a former Books editor at The Free Lance–Star

THE LAST LIST OF MISS JUDITH KRATT
By Andrea Bobotis
(Sourcebooks Landmark, $15.99, 320 pp.)
Published: July 9, 2019

Tags
Judith Kratt Gem Fiction Commerce Show Literature Genealogy Andrea Bobotis Rosemarie Olva

Ah, the 'old South'. Anymore it seems to be written about in such a way to diminish traditions and family memories. I went into this book, hoping it was not going to go that direction, but I was wrong. Which was sad, as one of the best lines in the lyrical text of the book is: ”She exhaled. ‘Memory and history are bound up with one another. Where does one end and the other begin?’”
The book is so well written that I kept reading, even though I knew by the 3rd chapter EXACTLY where the book was going to end up (and it did). It is a story of assumptions, lies and greed more than anything else. And as anyone knows, when you add those 3 things together, there will always be a story to tell. I found myself hating most of the characters in the book because they seemed so 2 dimensional. And the end just flat out made me want to throw the proverbial book across the room- it just rang so UNTRUE to most of the Southerners I know (of ALL races).
I know the book has received 5 stars reviews all over, and it deserves some of those stars. I think ultimately it is a book you either love because you don't know the South, or you go /meh' cause you do, and you know what is missing.....

This story ended up being better than initially suspected. Working my way through the first half of the story, I didn’t really know where it was going, but the last half managed to come together really well. The rich history of Miss Judith Kratt, as told through the family objects and heirlooms she has spent so many decades surrounding herself with, provide a rich tapestry of the deep secrets that both define and tear families apart. There is a certain sadness to the story, as Judith comes to realize that the material objects she has surrounded herself with have defined most of her existence. This is a strong debut novel from Andrea Bobotis . We are provided with vivid characters who seem at home and ingrained in the almost claustrophobic nature of the small town of Bound, South Carolina. A worthwhile read for fans of historical fiction genre.

I received The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt by Andrea Bobotis as an ARC from NetGalley. The book is set in the fictional Southern town of Bound, SC. At one time, the Kratts owned most of the town. The story flashes back & forth between the present and the past as Judith tells the Kratts' stories. The Last List is an inventory of everything that is important to the Kratts. Bound is a typical small Southern town with lots of secrets. Bobotis does a great job of developing the characters and weaving together their stories.

Thank goodness for hot days that keep you inside with a book. This debut novel hooked me with the language and kept me engaged with the stories. Just the right pacing with the author touching on issues of racism and families. Negotiating the two time frames was seamless and kept me from putting down the book. I don't need to give you the details--other reviewers have done this. Get your hands on a copy of this book, as it will suck you in and stay with you. How great that the release date is also my birthday!
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for making this book available in advance for free, impartial reviews.
"Decisions are a luxury."

Thank you to NetGalley and the Author and publisher for a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
A hard book to read at times, covering deep early 1920 Southern racism, a dysfunctional family and cruel family secrets. 75 year old Judith is taking inventory of her family homes possessions, her absent sister who is suddenly popping up after disappearing 60 years ago dose not deserve a thing.. As she tells her story we move back and forth from 1929 to 1989 and how much influence her family had on their small cotton growing town, sometimes unpleasantly.

The writing was very descriptive and lyrical. While at times the main character is hard to like, you begin to understand her as we uncover the story.
Such a moving story! 5 stars!

This lovely debut took me by surprise! I'm a fan of Southern fiction and this novel was full of twists blending past and present. Judith has inherited her family estate and begins to inventory all the expensive collectibles in the home. And so begins the story of her complicated family dynamic involving her abusive father, Daddy Kratt and her manipulative brother, Quincy. Things are never as they seem, and secrets long buried are brought to light with some shocking revelations. Bobotis addresses themes of familial obligations, love, loss, jealousy, and race in this multi-layered novel that will captivate from beginning to end.