Book Review: "The Songbook Of Benny Lament" By Amy Harmon

 

This was one hell of a powerful story, rich in mob rule mentality, ripe in politics, deeply emotion in Civil Rights topics with special regard to interracial marriages.

As a mixed family myself I thank the good Lord daily that these behaviors have not extended to today's world in this same vain but sadly things have worsened in many other ways for those of color and those of mixed race.

This story centers upon our main two characters -Benny Lament (Caucasian) and Esther Mine (Negro) who embark on this journey of love, forgiveness, and new beginnings. 

The setting was set in the 60's at a time when politics went head to head with organized crime during a time of great upheaval and equally upsetting civil rights issues.

To understand this story one must understand history and to do such requires extensive research something that Amy Harmon clearly possessed in this writing. 

This goes without saying but this was a world that sadly hasn't changed much in terms of, "You Snitch You Die" means of thought. 

This book was somewhat dark but not riddled with foul language, abundant racism, or bloody gory but it was full of some disturbing scenes especially with regards to Theresa, Sal, and the mob. 

When Benny Lament loses a finger because of someone trying to keep him silenced from playing his piano it created this firestorm of fury from within that burned deeply and hit low.

It has always been on point that when haters hate it's because you're above them but who would think someone could be so disturbed as to injure a man making a livelihood with his fiancee by his side. 

I thought I'd seen it all until Amy Harmon then pulls a double whammy and notes a bathroom scene that just totally creeped me out and made me shake to the core.

However, that wasn't the last twister to come out as we then uncover the truth within this family of Uncle Sal and his wife Theresa and this missing jewelry that was covered up using mob deaths.

The entire sick practice involved behind the scenes of this Murder Inc. was troubling but thankfully the author took this ending down lover's lane.

I enjoyed the finale that showed that love conquers hate and in the words of the elegant Gladys Knight we can close out with this quote, "How can we ever learn to love each other if we don't know each other's stories?"

Get to know one another, love one another, and stop the hate.

Much love to you all.

Thank you to Amy Harmon, Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley, Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.