4 sister stars

This is my second read from this author. I find her writing style very readable, and she creates great pacing and suspense. This one is mostly set in the south in the mid-1960s when racial unrest was at a fever pitch as voting rights were a rallying cry. Northerners came south to join the movement to try to get people registered to vote and violence was a daily occurrence.

The story focuses on two sisters and the ghost of their older sister. Violet is running out of town (Jackson, MS) to escape a violent incident. She makes it to a small town in Georgia and surprisingly makes friends and finds a wonderful man who adores her. Will her past come back to haunt her though?

Marigold is in trouble and decides that marrying the man who has been chasing her and moving north is her ticket out of town. We follow both sisters and I really hoped for the best. Danger seems just around the corner and both women face new trials.

This one was quite engrossing, and I was drawn into the story. I would recommend this one if you like good storytelling. I’ve been thinking about it after I’ve finished it, always the sign of a good book for me!

ANYWHERE YOU RUN by Wanda M. Morris is an historical fiction novel that takes place during 1964 in Jackson, Mississippi, in small town Chillicothe, Georgia, and in Cleveland, Ohio. Two sisters, Violet and Marigold Richards, are on the run, both physically and emotionally. One has killed a man and the other is pregnant, fleeing domestic abuse. Both are also haunted by the deaths of their older sister (Rose) and their parents. These young women were taught to be respectful and quiet (keep your eyes down and stay in the background) around "white folks," but they chafe, in different ways, at the restrictions that exist, particularly in the South. A key lesson is expressed in this quote: "Papa used to tell me, the only way I'd ever be able to go anywhere in life was to walk courageously. He said being brave didn't mean you had no fear. Bravery meant acting even in the face of fear." Pursued by feelings of guilt and a man who is essentially a modern day bounty hunter, the sisters tell their story separately, but ultimately draw strength from each other. Although a bit repetitive in some places, ANYWHERE YOU RUN received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly and is a LibraryReads selection for October. This title is a solid choice that will appeal to students, particularly due to its elements of mystery, thwarted family expectations, and struggles with identity. Also, there is much important history; Morris repeatedly refers to the civil rights protests, Jim Crow laws, and the violence of that era, in particular the killing of three men in Neshoba County, Mississippi. In her acknowledgments, she writes, "This book has been a labor of love because I stand on the shoulders of strong women like the ones in this story, who were bound and shackled by the mores of an era that has passed but if we are not careful threatens to return."
4.5 stars

Link to some historical background:
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/freedomsummer-murder/

This story about two Black sisters trying to find freedom, safety, and love in the south in the 1960s was very unique and kept me turning the pages. Violet is on the run for the "murder" of a white man, and doesn't realize that she leaves in the night just as her sister needs her the most. Marigold rushes into marriage to try to build a stable life and quickly finds herself being abused and silenced by her husband.
Can the two sisters find their way back together and find peace when the world makes it hard for them to survive, let alone thrive?
Things get very scary and sad, and really made me think about how much harder it has been for Black women and the strength that it takes to fight back against injustice. I thought this was even better than All Her Little Secrets!

Bestselling and talented Atlanta author Wanda M. Morris returns following her smashing debut All Her Little Secrets (Showtime) 5 Stars— with a gripping, powerful, emotional sophomore novel, ANYWHERE YOU RUN.

The 1964 murder of three civil rights activists in Mississippi provides the backdrop for the novel. Part family drama; women, southern, historical, literary fiction; and part mystery/suspense thriller. You will be on the edge of your seat until the conclusion.

Beautifully rendered and meticulously researched, Morris takes us back to 1964 in the Deep South, where we meet two African American sisters, Violet and Marigold Richards, trying desperately to survive.

The novel explores racism, evil, rural small southern injustices, and family/sisterhood. Sadly, not a lot has changed over the years, which is heartbreaking and relevant today.

Both sisters are the only ones left in the family and are desperate to leave Jackson. However, they are forced to stay by the fear of wandering out in the world without their parents.

Set in the Jim Crow South in Jackson, Mississippi, Violet kills a white man, Huxley, who was trying to defend herself due to being raped.

She had gone to the police regarding the attack days earlier, and they did nothing. She knows that as a Black woman, she will not be treated fairly during this time. She must escape with her wealthy white boyfriend, Dewey Leonard.

However, after she abandons him in Birmingham, Alabama, to catch a bus to Chillicothe, GA. He wanted to marry her like that was going to happen.

Dewy later hires Mercer to find her. She has no clue about the danger ahead and the person following her.

Marigold had dreams of going to college and law school. She was the smart one.

Violet was the pretty one who made fast decisions. She had no dreams. She left without her sister but would call and explain when she got settled and send for her.

Marigold works for the Mississippi Summer Project to help Blacks register to vote. After news of the murder brings the police to her door, Marigold sees no choice but to flee Jackson too. She heads North seeking the promise of a better life and no more segregation.

She winds up in Ohio after quickly marrying her crazy boyfriend, having become pregnant by another man. But has she made a terrible choice that threatens her life and her unborn child?

Two sisters are on the run, one from the law, the other from social shame. Will they make it back together again reunited, and if so, what will happen next?

Oh, the strength of sisters and the power of redemption. From tragedy to triumph. A novel of love, loss, and survival.

Rich in detail, these parallel stories of hiding and pursuit lead to a satisfying conclusion. Told from alternating Violet and Marigold's POVs equally compelling, with a chapter from Dewey Leonard and about thirteen chapters from Mercer Buggs.

These sisters experienced so much loss, fear, and pain when all they want is the freedom to live their lives.

Raw, intense, and heartbreaking! Heart-pounding emotion, well-developed characters, and a gripping plot make ANYWHERE YOU RUN an exceptional must-read! The author is a gifted master storyteller, writing with passion and wisdom. I cannot wait to see what comes next.
Move this to the top of your TBR list, now.

"God will not let you falter when He has set you up to soar."
—Violet Richards Anywhere You Run

A special thank you to #WilliamandMorrow and #NetGalley for a gifted e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I also pre-ordered the audiobook (HarperAudio), narrated by Janina Edwards, Shayna Small, and Adam Lazarre-White.

Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 25, 2022
Oct 2022 Must-Read Books

4.5 stars

Having now read two books written by Wanda M. Morris, she's going in the automatic read category for her future books. I love what she is bringing to the fiction genre. Her last book, All Her Little Secrets, had thriller elements. Anywhere You Run is more suspenseful and with the story taking place during the Jim Crow era in Mississippi, there's historical content as well. Both worthwhile reads with substance. There's actually a bit of a tie-in with the books but you can certainly read each as a standalone novel.

In 1964, twenty-two year old, Violet Richards, is forced to flee her Jackson, Mississippi home she shares with her sister, Marigold. She's on the run from the law but given she's a Black woman in the South, successfully leaving will require a plan of action and some luck.

With people looking for Violet, Marigold doesn't feel safe either and makes the decision to get out of town ASAP. She too better come up with a plan as she is pregnant and unmarried. With the two sisters attempting to start over, they might have a whole mess of trouble coming their way.

I didn't want to give away too many details about the plot because the reading experience is enhanced if you just let everything naturally unfold. There's an edge of your seat type feeling as you read and you feel protective over the sisters because just knowing basic history, a person of color was never able to truly feel safe so that's in the back of your mind the while time.

The historical content was worked seamlessly into the story. There's one scene in particular that has stuck with me and it involves one of the women buying a dress but not being allowed to try it on first or have the option of returning it. The idea is the garment would somehow be "soiled" if touched by a Black person. And that's an injustice I don't recall ever hearing about back when I was in school and we learned about the Civil Rights Era. At the age of 40 something I still have a lot to learn and I'm thankful this book gave me the opportunity to do so.

ANYWHERE YOU RUN by Wanda M. Morris is a gripping and suspenseful novel set in Jackson, Mississippi in 1964 when Jim Crow justice still rules the land. Two Black sisters, Violet and Marigold, live together in their childhood home after the loss of their sister and both of their parents. It’s been a summer of unrest after three innocent men are murdered for helping Black citizens obtain the right to vote. Violet is brutally attacked by a white man who she kills before he can hurt her or anyone else further. Knowing she will never survive being accused of murdering a white man, Violet flees Jackson and winds up hiding out in a small rural town in Georgia. When the police come looking for Violet, Marigold knows she must leave town, too. Pregnant with a co-worker’s baby and unmarried, Marigold makes the hasty decision to marry her boyfriend and move with him up to Cleveland, Ohio. But trouble is following both sisters. A man with dark secrets and a strong motivation to find the sisters is hot on their trail. What follows is a riveting and heart-stopping story of the unthinkable horrors that occurred during this time period. I couldn’t put this beautifully-written book down. The descriptions of the events were vivid and realistic. The emotions of the characters were palpable on the page. I will not soon forget this powerful and heart-wrenching story and I highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

The 1964 murder of three civil rights activists in Mississippi sets the stage for the incredibly powerful book, Anywhere You Run. Sisters Violet and Marigold are two Black sisters living together in their family home in Jackson, having overcome great loss in their lives. But everything quickly changes when Violet is taken to the brink and kills Huxley, the white man who has raped and continually taunted her. She is forced to escape her small hometown with the aid of her boyfriend, a white man who not only loves Violet but also wants to rebel against his racist father. Violet does not love him and runs away while on the road. She heads to Chillicothe, Georgia and changes her name. Violet (now Vera) lives in fear that the Jackson police will find and arrest her. Marigold, who has been working to help Black area residents register to vote, also finds herself in a difficult situation. She is pregnant by one of the attorneys she works with, and he quickly disappears after she tells him. Hoping to keep her good name, she marries her boyfriend Roger, who she is not in love with and knows that he is a bad choice. Marigold and her new husband move to Cleveland and soon discover that someone who is looking for Violet is following her. As the two sisters face unimaginable predicaments, they are determined to help one another and live the lives they know they deserve.

Anywhere You Run is the second novel by author Wanda M. Morris. I thoroughly enjoyed her debut novel All Her Little Secrets. It was a fast-paced, entertaining mystery thriller. This, her second book, is so much more. It's a tense, riveting story which will grab you from the beginning. It will appeal to both fans of historical fiction as well as mystery thrillers. Books about racial injustice in the Jim Crow era are heartbreaking to read but are important to remind us of a tragic time in history, especially since it was not very long ago. The real-life tragedy of the Freedom Summer Murders helped convey the unimaginable horrors that occurred during these terrible times. The fictional sisters felt very real, and through them, Morris has told a valuable and memorable story. I highly recommend reading this book and look forward to what comes next from this talented author.

Wanda Morris is an incredible author who writes historical and socially relevant plots under the guise of ‘mysteries’. Her characters are always fully fleshed and you can easily identify with them and the world from their perspective. In this politically accurate portrayal this novel is astounding, gut wrenching and unforgettable.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Scene of the Crime, William Morrow, and Wanda M Morris for an ARC of this book!**

And I ran, I ran so far away
I just ran, I ran all night and day
I couldn't get away- "I Ran (So Far Away)", A Flock of Seagulls

Wanda M Morris' sophomore novel artfully blends history AND mystery...and I simply could NOT put it down!

Violet and Marigold are two Black sisters, trying to make it from one day to the next....because living in Mississippi in the era of Jim Crow has been anything but easy. Their parents are dead and so is their sister Rose...but believe it or not, these two strong young women have even BIGGER problems to deal with that the aforementioned. Violet was raped by a white man, Huxley, and has now taken matters into her own hands to keep him from harming any other innocents...and leaves his body in the alley. Knowing she has to run (and run quickly) her white boyfriend helps to get her out of town and Violet thinks she will be safe in a small town with a family member in Georgia. She goes by Vera and tries to keep out of the limelight...but exactly how well DO the police communicate across state lines?

Marigold has her own host of troubles: she's working as a volunteer helping to get out the vote for Black people across the local community and has formed strong connections with some fellow activists: one in particular. He is attorney, he's white...and he has gotten Marigold pregnant. Marigold faces her fear and tells him the news, only to be met by his quick departure from the state. At home, Marigold's lackabout boyfriend Roger is practically begging her to get married...so with circumstances as they are, he no longer looks QUITE so bad. As she grapples with the implications of that decision...a white man shows up at her door..and he's looking for Violet. Can Marigold start a new life in Ohio AND protect her sister from forces determined to hunt her down? Will Violet be safe in Georgia...or will she need to risk everything, yet again, to escape to the promise of a safer life in Ohio? And WHAT exactly was happening in that mysterious photo that Violet found in her boyfriend's wallet...and does it implicate even MORE danger and even a deadly motive still in store?

After skipping Morris' first novel, I wasn't sure how I would feel about this one, since historical thriller is a bit of a new genre for me. HOWEVER...after reading this book...I find it so hard to believe that I waited THIS LONG!

Historical fiction is always tricky for me, because it normally ends up feeling overly contrived, cliche, or drier than a piece of burnt toast. What Morris does with such effortless ability, however, is to thrust the reader headlong into the time period with JUST enough detail to keep you immersed, but not enough to feel overwhelming. JUST enough character development to keep things interesting and to keep you guessing. JUST enough characters to keep the plot tumbling and turning without feeling overwrought...and of course, JUST the right number of twists and turns to keep this firmly in the mystery/thriller vein.

The narrative is perfectly balanced between the Marigold and Violet, and both women were compelling, multi-faceted, and interesting characters whose choices were rarely cut and dried. The undercurrent of hate and vitriol against Black people in a huge way at the time (and yes, today as well) was both a subtle motivator for some of their decisions and a limiting factor with others. I really felt as though I got to know both women in such a short period of time and was sad to have to leave them.

This book may be 4oo pages, but it certainly didn't feel it! This is one of those stories you'll be mulling over when you're not read, guessing, pondering, and thinking about what's going to happen next whenever you aren't reading. Although I was intrigued by the premise from jump, I NEVER would have guessed I would be so caught up in this book and I didn't want it to end..this was a huge sleeper hit for me in 2022!

Although I won't tell you where Marigold and Violet end up, you can bet the next place I'LL be running is ANYWHERE Wanda M Morris wants to take her readers next!

4.5 stars

Anywhere You Run is a fast-paced, page turning genre bender that combines historical fiction with a tense, heartbreaking thriller. I'll be recommending this one to everyone.

Anywhere You Run is a historical suspense set in 1964 right before the Civil Rights Act was signed into law. Can two sisters leave their secrets behind in Jim Crow Mississippi?

When 3 innocent men are brutally murdered trying to help black Mississippians get the right to vote it sets the book for the crimes, lies and secrets that unfold. Violet is 22 and has just killed a white man after he attacked her and nothing came from it. She decides to go on the run with her white boyfriend, but leaves him behind and hides out in rural Georgia. Meanwhile her sister has been working with the Mississippi Summer Project and just found out she's pregnant. With the baby's father wanting nothing to do with her and the police asking where her sister is, she makes a bad choice that leads her to Ohio. Will their past catch up to them?

This had more of a coming of age feel than super suspenseful, but I was definitely wondering how all of the secrets would play out. This was so well written and gave a real description of the struggles for blacks in 1964 Mississippi and Georgia as well as the class structure and segregation issues. There is blatant violence, racism and injustice in this book but that was the reality.

Two sisters flee their home in Jackson, MS, but for different reasons. Both because mixed up with men they shouldn’t have.
The author does a good job of intertwining the sisters’ stories and then looping back again.
I was fearful of what would happen to them. After all, it’s 1964 in the Deep South. There are some parts that are very painful, but there’s good parts too and good people in the book.
I had a hard time accepting what happened with one character who was a sweet man.
If you want a what’s going to happen kind of book, read this one!

Wanda M. Morris is back and Anywhere You Run is even better than her first novel. Part thriller, part historical fiction and all suspense.

Anywhere You Run is set in the 1960s South, Violet and her sister, Marigold are all that is left of the family. When Violet kills her attacker, she knows there’s no chance of a fair trial for a black woman in Jackson, Mississippi. With the help of her white boyfriend, she flees North before the police can find her. Meanwhile, Marigold inherits Violet’s problems along with her own unexpected pregnancy. Her naive bubble is broken when the father of her baby runs back to his Northern home without Marigold. Now both sisters are on the run.

Told from varying perspectives, a story about racism, two sisters and the deep South. This novel is gripping right from the start. One that will stay with you long after you finish.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morris for the opportunity to review this title before its publication.

I was reading on one device and it was down to 2% so I had to switch to another device to sit at my desk and swallow this book whole. Wanda did her THANG with this novel! Great pacing, incredible use of different settings and time period, ramping up the suspense. I gots no problems with this book. Even better than her first and I loved her first- I hope this one gets a film deal too!

"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 - 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘰𝘶𝘵 - 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳."

I've seen this one categorized as a thriller but to me, it was suspenseful historical fiction. No matter what genre you put it in, 𝗔𝗡𝗬𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗥𝗨𝗡 by Wanda M, Morris is a powerful, emotional and gripping story.

Set in 1964, two Black sisters separately flee Mississippi, one trying to escape the law and the other the consequences of her choices, while a man pursues them both for reasons of his own. The story is fast-paced, with well-developed characters and heartbreaking details about life in the Jim Crow south, and the audiobook narration by Janina Edwards, Shayna Small and Adam Lazarre-White was terrific.

Thanks to William Morrow Books and Harper Audio for the copies to review.

It's 1964 and Violet is on the run, not only from the police but also from the man she used to escape Mississippi after she killed the man who abused her. She's got something he wants and he's sent a man, Mercer, to find her. She gets off the Greenhound in Georgia where a cousin lives and finds a job. Her sister Marigold, who has always been the "good" girl is newly pregnant by a young attorney in town to help with voter registration- and he's taken off. She unwisely marries Roger (she knows it at the time) and they move to Cleveland but .....There's a fair amount of melodrama here but it's also a deeply affecting story of two sisters, racism, and the South of the 1960s. It's told alternately by Violet, Marigold and Mercer, a device that works well for this story. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a good read.

Any Where You Run is a powerful reminder of what life was like in the deep South in 1964, where white southerners fought the end of Jim Crow laws, and sisters Marigold and Violet are trying to find their way through the racial injustice that impacts their every day lives.

This was my first Wanda Morris book, and now that I’ve found her, I will be reading her first, and any future books!

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and GoodReads for the advanced e-copy of this book.

Any Where You Run
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 10/25/22
Author: Wanda Morris
Publisher: William Morrow
Pages: 400
GR: 4.20

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, Scene of the Crime, and William Morrow and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

My Thoughts: The story is narrated by Violet and Marigold in alternating POVs, which I loved. It was seamless and powerful. Morris is a powerful storyteller, you get invested into the characters, feel their rawness, which is also a double sword as it can get heart wrenching when things go differently from expectations. I loved the historical aspect of this book, it really digs into how people of color were treated in the 1960’s and how justice was never justice. My heart just hurts for the way our society was then, and at times, still are. Morris tackled these sensitive topics with such grace. The characters were so well fleshed out, they had depth, they were mysterious, very intriguing, and just built so well. The author’s writing style was complex, multifaceted, dark, suspenseful, thought provoking, and absolutely kept me engaged. Content warning of discrimination and violence. This book was powerful, gripping, and heart wrenching, an excellent read. This is the type of story that will sit with me for awhile, an amazing emotional rollercoaster. I absolutely recommend this book that comes out later this month on the 25th.

This was a great thriller that had potential. However I struggled with the writing style and didn't feel engaged enough.

I went in to Anywhere You Run with high expectations and it did not disappoint. A historical suspense novel about two sisters with secrets both on the run in separate directions, both hoping to out run the truth. Told mostly from the point of each sister, the story is well developed and comes together at the end seamlessly. Mixed in to the sister point of views, is that of the paid hired man to track down one of the sisters. This added pov helps keep the tension and suspense throughout the story. A propulsive read, I didn't want to put the book down. The story pulls all the feelings, hope and sadness, suspense and love. The characters are authentic and flawed and relatable. I loved the author's debut novel , All Her Little Secrets and this one is as good if not better. Wait, yes, it's better. Wanda M. Morris is added to my instant read list and I can't wait to see what is next from her.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy.