The course of Darren Matthews’ day was dictated by actions of necessity, one being unpleasant and the other romantic. The former was turning in his badge as a Texas Ranger. The latter was proposing to his girlfriend, Randie. Upon Darren’s arrival home, he comes face to face with the reason for his resignation, and his romantic plans take a backseat. His estranged mother, Bell, has shown up and desires a conversation with her son about a missing person’s case. Darren barely can face her as she turned over evidence in a case that could lead to his indictment.

The relationship between Darren and Bell has been dysfunctional for years as he was raised by uncles from his father’s side as she was too young to do so. Darren views her as the irresponsible mother who only spared enough time to bestow her love of the drink to him and found countless ways to mess up his life. He doesn’t want to listen to her, but Randie urges him to hear her story. Bell works as a maid at a local sorority house where a young coed has gone missing. Darren listens with skepticism as Bell tells him about Sera Fuller, her issues with the other girls in the house and her sudden disappearance.

"[Locke's] narrative combines elements of familial discord, corporate corruption and racial intolerance in crafting a story wherein the drama steadily builds to an apex before its emotional conclusion."

Bell’s visit triggers Darren’s lingering resentments and leads to a break with Randie and an epic bender that nearly kills him. In the fallout of his binge, he realizes that he needs to look into Sera’s disappearance. It’s not to appease his mother, it's because he doesn’t want to lose Randie, who is well acquainted with injustice as the murder of her husband was marginalized until he took on the case.

Darren’s investigation brings him to Thornhill, where the Fuller family appears nonplussed at the questions related to their daughter’s whereabouts. His inquiries are not viewed favorably as local rent-a-cops soon escort him out of the area. Thornhill is a modern-day company town, and its owners would prefer that no one make waves and besmirch its reputation. Darren soon finds an unlikely ally in his search for the truth about Sera: his mother. They will need to bury the past to solve this vexing mystery.

GUIDE ME HOME is the spellbinding finale of Attica Locke’s Highway 59 trilogy, following BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD and HEAVEN, MY HOME. The story’s great depth often derives from the complicated relationship between Darren and his family history and how his struggles to come to terms with Bell’s role in his life enabled his alcohol abuse and hindered his emotional growth. Despite his shortcomings, Darren is a tenacious investigator, which is highlighted in his pursuit of Sera Fuller.

Locke emphatically writes of a world where unity can be found despite previous divisions. Her narrative combines elements of familial discord, corporate corruption and racial intolerance in crafting a story wherein the drama steadily builds to an apex before its emotional conclusion. This is an outstanding novel worthy of a wide audience.