Dovey Coe by Frances O'Roark Dowell Dovey Coe is an outspoken 12 and then 13 year old living in North Carolina in 1928. At the beginning of the book we are told that Dovey denies killing her sister's suitor whom she didn't like, but it is not until page 119 of 181 pages that Parnell dies. The pages before 119 are the story of a proud boy trying to court a girl and falling flat on his face. They are a portrayal of North Carolina small towns in 1928 and 1929. And the pages after 119 are a story of court room drama and bravado, of a friendship that is siblinghood(blech-what a word. Anybody know a better word with the same meaning?).
Readers should keep in mind that Dovey's narrative is not the whole picture. I guessed the clue in the story that proves Dovey's innocence long before she does, which was annoying. See if you can, too.
Happy reading.
