The struggle for justice in the land of the "free" is fueled by equal parts hope and desperation in They Can't Take Your Name, Robert Justice's promising debut novel. Set in the heart of Denver's Black community--the historic Five Points--Justice delivers a touching portrait of loss, love and the courageous exercise of being a Black person in the U.S.
Langston Brown is a man wrongly convicted for the infamous "Mother's Day Massacre" at a downtown Denver bank 15 years ago. His daughter, Liza, leaves behind Juilliard for law school to fight for Langston's release from Death Row. Meanwhile, local son Eli Stone is finally about to realize a "dream deferred" four years after his beloved wife's death--their plans to reopen the renowned Five Points jazz club, The Roz. When a desperate Liza meets Eli at The Roz, she shares the devastating news that Langston's execution date is set within 30 days. Finding strength in each other to overcome the pains and wrongs of the past, Eli and Liza make it their common cause to stay Langston's execution and clear his name.
Justice creates memorable and strong characters and explores the internal tensions among the Black social and political community with an unflinching eye. With the often-overlooked venue of the Mile High City as a viable location for future entries in the crime genre, They Can't Take Your Name is a first novel that hints at more to come for Eli and Liza as they navigate a hopeful, if uncertain, future. --Peggy Kurkowski, book reviewer and copywriter in Denver, Colo.