Joyce was born late in life to her parents. Living in Alabama in the 1930's during the Jim Crow era, her parents did well for themselves as Black owners of a grocery store in their predominately black neighborhood. They adored Joyce and did their best raising her and giving her the best. Joyce's parents showered her with praises for being intelligent and a hard worker, but berated her for not being married and unattractive.
While on one of Joyce's weekly visits to her father's store, she's introduced to Odell, who works stocking shelves. A swindler and fast talker, Odell needed money and working as stock boy wasn't going to make him rich quick. His ticket of out poverty is staring him in the face and the charm begins. Life is going well for the married couple until lies, deceit and blackmail takes center stage.
I didn't like one character in the book. Joyce's parents not once cared about her feelings with their underhand compliments. Joyce's high-and-mighty attitude....hmmm...maybe that's her defense mechanism since people were always looking down at her, prevents her from noticing her tranquil life is about to be shaken. Odell's character is straight out conniving.
Mary Monroe is one of my favorite authors. Her writing is descriptive and pulls you into the characters. Her plots are well thought and engaging. For me One House Over fell short. The story was rushed and unexciting.
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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