When she discovers that the murder victims are Lymp's half-siblings, and that Lymp is one of West Mills' leading culprits, she sets out on a transformative manhunt to prove his innocence.Īs Jo begins to investigate those who might know the most about the Harmons' deaths, she starts to discover darker secrets than she'd ever imagined, and a pattern of cover ups-of racial incidents, homophobia, and medical misuse-that could upend the reputations of many.įor readers of American Spy and Bluebird, Bluebird, Decent People is a powerful new novel about shame, race, money, and the reckoning required to heal a fractured community.ĭe'Shawn Charles Winslow is the author of In West Mills, a Center for Fiction First Novel Prize winner, an American Book Award recipient, and a Willie Morris Award for Southern Fiction winner, and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book, Lambda Literary, and Publishing Triangle awards. Jo Wright has just moved back to West Mills from New York City to retire and marry a childhood sweetheart, Olympus “Lymp” Seymore. The crime is the first reported murder in the area in decades, but the white authorities don't seem to care or have any interest in solving the case.įortunately, one person is determined to do more than talk.

The people of West Mills-on both sides of the canal that serves as the town's color line-are in a frenzy of finger-pointing, gossip, and wonder. In the still-segregated town of West Mills, North Carolina in 1976, Marian, Marva, and Lazarus Harmon-three enigmatic siblings-are found shot to death in their home. Daniel Black for a celebration of Decent People. From Center for Fiction First Novel Prize winning author De'Shawn Charles Winslow, a sweeping and unforgettable novel of a Black community reeling from a triple homicide, and the secrets the killings reveal. This event is co-hosted by the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History. Click here to register to attend virtually. Please read the in-person event guidelines at the bottom of this page if you wish to attend in-person.Ĭharis welcomes De'Shawn Charles Winslow in conversation with Dr. This event is free and registration is required for virtual attendance.

This event takes place in person at Charis and on crowdcast, Charis' virtual event platform.

The sacred place by daniel black