The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas is a story about family. 1934 may see a depression gripping a nation, but for the Raines family, they are still navigating the fallout from the illness that left their son deaf. Loyal, now thirteen, wants to his family to be whole, but even more so, he wants to be a man, even if he can’t hear like everyone else.
The murder of an out-of-town government man shakes up the town and the Raines family. Especially since Loyal is a prime witness and his father used to be sheriff. The current sheriff enlists his father’s help, but Creed Raines is determined to keep Loyal as out of the investigation as he can. Something that doesn’t sit well with Loyal.
The story twists and turns like a summer river as Creed and Loyal both take matters into their own hands. While the murder mystery ties the story together, and keeps a reader guessing, it isn’t the heart of the story. That belongs to the Raines family dynamics. Loyal and his parents and Creed and his wife Delphy.
As much as I love historical fiction and mysteries, The Right Kind of Fool is not the type of book I would usually pick up. It’s still not my favorite type of book, but that says nothing about how well The Right Kind of Fool is written. It is an excellently crafted book! The pacing, the tone, the way it grabbed the heart. So good!
So. Whether this type of book is the kind you would pick up without thinking twice or not, if you’re willing to take a chance on a story, The Right Kind of Fool is definitely worth it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.