Blood on the Table: A Novel

Blood on the Table by Gerry Spence Compelling critical look at situations that were often difficult to unsee. The law is supposed to be blind and see innocence rather than prejudge or indict without facts. It is supposed to be honest and just but that is not always true. This story made me think and care and wonder and wish…and in the end it left me with a bit of hope. What I liked: * Ringo: honest, loving, kind, artistic, giving, good son, admirable, stalwart, a good man, someone I would like as a friend/on my side. * Ben: father, husband, shepherd, father, honest, a good man, taciturn, quiet, bottled up emotionally, falsely accused, intriguing in the way still waters sometimes run deep. * Sarah: mother, wife, secret keeper, lonely, would do anything for her family, hard worker, conflicted, dreamer, enjoys beauty, dreamer, made me think about what I would have done in her situation * Hampton: lawyer, husband, truth seeker, honest, intelligent, interesting in the courtroom * Meg/Isabelle: college student, artist, pragmatic, traveled, deeper than expected * Ham & Jamey: two boys that deserved so much better * The way all the pieces came together eventually…though I wondered at times if they would. * Kind of liked the ultimate outcome and decision of the jury…though had hoped for something else * That the story made me think and care * The 1940’s era * The location in Wyoming * Mrs. Foley – the foster mother * That though I thought about giving up in the beginning as it seemed slow…I was once again drawn in and could not put the book down. What I didn’t like: * Those I was meant not to like…and they were many. It was easy to hate them and hard to see the shenanigans they got up to. * The way some were willing to use their power negatively and too often got away with it * The damage done to so many Did I enjoy this book? Yes Would I read more by this author? Yes Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for the ARC – This is my honest review. 5 Stars