Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for the copy of Decent People. I loved the characters and how well they were written. They were so good the murders almost took a back seat to them-I kept forgetting they were trying to solve a mystery because the characters were so compelling. If you like surprising endings, this is the book for you, because I never saw it coming.

I liked that the mystery took a back seat to character development. The author shifted focus from person to person, giving more context and backstory as the plot progressed. This technique kept my interest and helped me keep track of who all the characters were. The ending was satisfying, if a bit abrupt.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing, I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book in return for my honest review. The book will be released on January 17th.

This novel begins with the Black community of West Mills, NC, reeling from the murder of three siblings. Set in 1976, it is a slow burn whodunnit that is mostly character study and a little bit murder investigation. As the investigation begins to evolve, dark secrets are revealed. I enjoyed the pace of this novel. It was very easy to read, even with all the shifting points of view. The racism and homophobia made it a difficult book to read, but it was unflinching in its portrayal of a still-segregated town in the south. I didn’t know until after I started this book that this is the author’s second book set in West Mills, NC. However, both are standalone novels.

Winslow takes us back to West Mills, North Carolina. The year is 1976, and the three Harmon siblings are found shot to death in their home. The first crime in decades and everyone has an opinion and a suspect. The townsfolk on both sides of the canal are riled up.

But the white folks in town don’t seem too interested in finding out who did the crime. Except for one woman, Jo Wright. She is from New York and has moved back after retirement to marry her childhood love. When she finds out he is one of the people involved, according to the gossip mill, she sets out to prove he is innocent.

Along the way she will find out a lot of stuff she didn’t know but maybe suspected. Racism, Lies, and all matter of intolerance. Some lives will be upended and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

As usual with Winslow’s books, I cried and shook my fist at the injustice of it all. It’s hard to read but I am always glad I did.

NetGalley/ February 14th, 2023 by Bloomsbury Publishing

Cute, cozy mystery that’s sure to keep you on your toes. I’m a forever fan. Loved the continuation of West Mills.

I liked the mystery of Decent People, and the various perspectives. I appreciated learning about each character and ruling many of them out. Great ending I didn't see coming

“Decent People,” by De’Shawn Charles Winslow, Bloomsbury Publishing, 272 pages, Jan. 17, 2023.

Josephine Wright is happy to be home in West Mills, North Carolina. It is 1976 and West Mills is still segregated.

She moved back from New York City to retire and to marry a childhood sweetheart, Olympus “Lymp” Seymore. She did secretarial work in the English department of Flatbush College.

Soon after Jo arrives, Lymp’s son, Nate, drives up. He tells her that siblings Marian, Marva, and Lazarus Harmon were found shot to death in their home. They were Lump’s half-siblings and people are pointing to him as the murderer.

The crime is the first reported murder in the area in decades. Marian was a doctor and her receptionist, Angela Glasper, found the bodies. People start harassing Lymp. Nate is his only alibi. But the sheriff and district attorney are saying the murders were a drug deal gone bad. And the authorities don’t seem to be interested in making an arrest.

Others had problems with the Harmons. Eunice Loving, owner of a grocery store, argued with Marian the week before. Marian also had an argument with Ted Temple, the shopping center landlord. Savannah Russet, Temple’s daughter, threatened Marva.

Jo knows police won’t investigate thoroughly because the victims are Black, so she starts asking questions herself. As Jo begins to question those who might know the most about the Harmons' deaths, she starts to discover a pattern of racial incidents, homophobia, and questionable medical practices.

“Decent People” is a very well-written, character-driven novel. The plotting is skilled and the pacing is good. I never would have guessed who the murderer was. I haven’t read anything by De’Shawn Charles Winslow before, but will watch for his future books. This is my first five-star read of the year.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

The author returns to West Mills, North Carolina in this follow-up to his debut of the same name. On the surface, not much has changed - the quaint town, nestled in the woods, remains an afterthought to any type of major progressive change. The legacy of Jim Crow-era segregation is reflected in the residential divide - Whites live in the East and the Blacks in the West, yet everyone knows everyone (including their personal business and family relations). This point is illustrated in this dramatic-mystery when Josephine (Jo) Wright after years of living “up North” opts to retire to her birthplace (West Mills) and settle with fiance, Olympus (Lymp). The action begins immediately upon her arrival - the town is reeling in the aftermath of the brutal triple homicide of Lymp’s (half-) siblings whereby he’s the prime suspect.

In some aspects, reading this book was eerily similar to a “Murder She Wrote” episode, where Jo, a woman with a disappointing history with men, seems determined to prove Lymp’s innocence despite some internal doubts. She begins her own investigation of sorts when she feels the police have incorrectly targeted Lymp and slandered the African American victims (one being a prominent physician from a reputable family with no criminal history) as stereotypical drug dealers. All the characters have layered pasts and it is Jo’s questioning of the witnesses and suspects that reveal secrets (old and new) and tons of juicy gossip.

What’s done in the dark always comes to light – however, I thought the mystery was solved rather abruptly and anti-climatically with no real surprises; but yet satisfying enough. This was an easy, entertaining read if you like folksy, downhome, simplistic drama. I’m a fan of the author and look forward to the next release.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.

To be honest, I thought I was not going to enjoy this book. Right off the bat, with no background, the drama begins. I was hoping for context and build up before the core of the novel started. I did love the characters and spent so much time trying to deduce would the killer could be. I enjoyed the various perspectives, getting to see in the minds of characters. However, I didn’t like that at the end of each perspective you are able to rule them out. It would have been more interesting to be left guessing. I also didn’t like the sudden ending. With all the depth seen throughout the rest of the book, when it comes to the murderer, it is stated and then glossed over. All the build up and nothing. If they would have completely explained the murderer's motives more thoroughly, I would have given it 5 stars.

What a wonderful follow up to "In West Mills". We are introduced to new characters as well as re-visiting a few old characters. I so enjoyed this book. It flowed and keep me highly engaged in wanting to know who the culprit was. I have another author to add to my favorites. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving this book in this manner had no bearing on this review.

Decent People by De'Shawn Charles Winslow is a very interesting, well written story.
I was ultimately pulled into this story by the authors phenomenal writing.
As well as the characters.
She wrote this amazingly and once I started I couldn't stop.
A very interesting, & very enjoyable read. I haven’t read a book by this author before but after reading Decent People I'll be sure to add him to my list.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Bloomsbury Publishing,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my platforms, BookBub, B&N, Kobo and Waterstone closer to pub date.

De'Shawn Charles Winslow‘A Decent People is a whodunnit set in segregated West Mills, North Carolina. A former resident who has recently moved back to town is determined to help solve a triple homicide that will otherwise go cold due to a lack of concern for the victims.
The action begins immediately and the pacing of the book is very good. As in most small communities, everyone knows everyone, and soon we see that most everyone hold a piece of the puzzle, even if they don’t know it.
The publication of this book is very timely for me, as recently new details in the Emmett Till case have come to light. The city is doing nothing about it. It’s infuriating. Another recent event near me is the case of Jay Lee, a young gay black man killed by a well-connected closeted man in a in a nearby town. My point being, though set in 1970s, these stories are still haunting us in 2022. The themes in this book are current.
It was really emotional reading the narratives of these characters, and how they have all had to hide parts of themselves because of their own community. I feel this book is an important and relevant read, and encourage others to face uncomfortable truths about our world and the systems still being upheld now.
Thank you for the ARC and to NetGalley for exposing me to this novel.