ONE OF THE GOOD ONES

The voices of three narrators help to guide listeners through this multilayered nonlinear story. Jordan Cobb anchors the audiobook with her low-pitched, passionate portrayal of Kezi, an ambitious Black activist who dies in police custody. Interspersed with Kezi's description of the events surrounding her unjust arrest are interludes from Shaqueria, a runaway and aspiring actress voiced with gravitas by Carolyn Smith. Completing the narrative counterpoint is Bahni Turpin's raw and angsty performance as Happi, Kezi's younger sister. She struggles with private grief and public outrage after Kezi becomes a martyr. While the plot is complex, as are the themes of sisterhood, generational trauma, and respectability politics, the compelling narration ensures that listeners will remain engaged from start to finish. R.A.H. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2021]