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Little Bird: A Novel
In 1964, a Black teenager was murdered by a drunken white cop who got away with the crime, and eight years later, the boy’s best friend, Shane, returns from combat intent on carving out justice himself. Suzanne, the daughter of the lawyer who failed in prosecuting the case, also lands back in Virginia, but her aim is to follow her father’s path to suicide, a path created by his loss and the severe rheumatoid arthritis that followed. Shane and Suzanne were four years apart in high school and barely knew each other before they met, but after a chance encounter, an almost instant connection is made. Neither knows the other’s secret goal, but as their bonds deepen, their love will be tested by familial duty, long-held grief, and even shifting sanity. But love might have other plans for both Shane and Suzanne if both decide to live long enough to find out. In this vividly told and slightly surreal novel, the power of forgiveness might be their salvation.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2024
18 people are currently reading
9559 people want to read
About the author
Ashby Jones
4 books678 followersThe author has degrees in organizational behavior and clinical psychology. As an undergraduate he studied under the tutelage of William Hoffman, best-selling author and Leonardo Bercovici, screenwriter ousted from the United States during the Macarthur Era, only to return as a legendary writer.
Ashby has written three novels, The Angel's Lamp, The Crossing and The latest, the Little Bird.
Ashby has written three novels, The Angel's Lamp, The Crossing and The latest, the Little Bird.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
April 4, 2025
Life can take an unexpected turn at any moment. The death of a young black man at the hands of a white man can be a tragedy, and even more so when that white man is a police officer who was intoxicated. In search of justice, Shane, his best friend, returns to the city to avenge his friend's death, but along the way, he meets Suzanne.
Chapter after chapter, the reader is immersed in this incredible story, learning about the characters' stories. Each with their own unique characteristics and personal challenges. The portrayals of each character are very well done. I think the plot is extremely interesting, as it deals with a topical and difficult topic to address. I hope to continue reading stories by this author.
Chapter after chapter, the reader is immersed in this incredible story, learning about the characters' stories. Each with their own unique characteristics and personal challenges. The portrayals of each character are very well done. I think the plot is extremely interesting, as it deals with a topical and difficult topic to address. I hope to continue reading stories by this author.
February 17, 2025
A captivating novel
Ashby Jones has penned a poignant and enthralling novel that revolves around an unfair crime. “The Little Bird” tells the story of a crime that involves a black teenager and a white cop. Unfortunately, the innocent boy didn’t obtain justice so some years later, his best friend, Shane, decides to look for answers about the case. In the meantime, Shane comes across a person that will change her perspective and life forever.
This is definitely a moving story with a good plot and a bunch of turns and twists -the read flows smoothly the moment you open the book. I liked the way the characters change throughout the novel and how they sort their differences out. It's a compelling novel worth reading.
Ashby Jones has penned a poignant and enthralling novel that revolves around an unfair crime. “The Little Bird” tells the story of a crime that involves a black teenager and a white cop. Unfortunately, the innocent boy didn’t obtain justice so some years later, his best friend, Shane, decides to look for answers about the case. In the meantime, Shane comes across a person that will change her perspective and life forever.
This is definitely a moving story with a good plot and a bunch of turns and twists -the read flows smoothly the moment you open the book. I liked the way the characters change throughout the novel and how they sort their differences out. It's a compelling novel worth reading.
February 18, 2025
Touching
This story is simply fascinating! From the cover design I knew it was going to be a touching book that appeals to the reader's feelings and would undoubtedly leave many lessons and points for reflection. The fact that it is a story based on real life events makes the reader feel more empathy with the story from the very first moment. Also, the descriptive language used by the author makes it much easier to place oneself in the events described. It is amazing to see how tainted human history has been by selfish and intolerant sharing. Stories like these leave many points to reflect on, among them, the fact of being more empathetic and tolerant with all people.
This story is simply fascinating! From the cover design I knew it was going to be a touching book that appeals to the reader's feelings and would undoubtedly leave many lessons and points for reflection. The fact that it is a story based on real life events makes the reader feel more empathy with the story from the very first moment. Also, the descriptive language used by the author makes it much easier to place oneself in the events described. It is amazing to see how tainted human history has been by selfish and intolerant sharing. Stories like these leave many points to reflect on, among them, the fact of being more empathetic and tolerant with all people.
February 15, 2025
I have to start by saying that I totally loved this novel which is a deep exploration of pain, loss, love, racism and justice.
The writing style is impeccable which makes the story hard to put down. The prose is exquisite and evocative. The author found the way to expose controversial and difficult issues in this story with a sublime touch of humanity and restraint.
The plot itself is intriguing and it kept me guessing until the very last page. The suspenseful atmosphere surrounding the protagonists’ decisions made this a thoroughly engaging read, leaving me eager to see what they do next.
Without any doubt, it is a reading that deserves 5 stars… and maybe more!
The writing style is impeccable which makes the story hard to put down. The prose is exquisite and evocative. The author found the way to expose controversial and difficult issues in this story with a sublime touch of humanity and restraint.
The plot itself is intriguing and it kept me guessing until the very last page. The suspenseful atmosphere surrounding the protagonists’ decisions made this a thoroughly engaging read, leaving me eager to see what they do next.
Without any doubt, it is a reading that deserves 5 stars… and maybe more!
April 3, 2025
Self-improvement
I really enjoyed this work, full of messages for those who choose to read it. It emphasizes the importance of forgiveness as an essential tool to overcome suffering and pain, which is crucial if we want to live a happy and peaceful life. The scars of the past, whether caused by injustices, losses, or wrong decisions, can affect us deeply. It is like a ghost that follows us until we manage to turn the page and undertake a serious process of forgiveness, even toward ourselves.
The book also teaches us that love, understanding, and the ability to forgive are what allow us to heal those wounds. This enables us to grow both personally and, in our ability, to offer more to those around us, based on love, a powerful tool that leads us toward a better future.
I really enjoyed this work, full of messages for those who choose to read it. It emphasizes the importance of forgiveness as an essential tool to overcome suffering and pain, which is crucial if we want to live a happy and peaceful life. The scars of the past, whether caused by injustices, losses, or wrong decisions, can affect us deeply. It is like a ghost that follows us until we manage to turn the page and undertake a serious process of forgiveness, even toward ourselves.
The book also teaches us that love, understanding, and the ability to forgive are what allow us to heal those wounds. This enables us to grow both personally and, in our ability, to offer more to those around us, based on love, a powerful tool that leads us toward a better future.
January 11, 2026
such an interesting description of love and grief
January 4, 2026
What a poorly written, silly story. I don’t know how it gets 4.5 stars because it definitely wasn’t proofread before it was published. My head hurts from trying to make sense of it. I can’t even believe that I read the whole thing.
December 3, 2025
An eloquently poetic novel!
California author Ashby Jones earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and English literature and followed his education with an MBA, and a PhD in organizational behavior, later studying Creative Writing at UCLA. He serves as a portfolio manager at Morgan Stanley in Newport Beach. His passion is ‘writing literary fiction that attempts to understand mankind’s never-ending battles with irony, tragedy, blatant contradiction, and the anomalies of love.’ His books to date: THE ANGEL’S LAMP, CROSSING, and now LITTLE BIRD.
Jones’ richly descriptive prose is present as the Prologue to this fascinating novel opens: ‘When was Suzanne born? Yesterday? A decade or so ago? Possibly without a date at all but in some timeless, mythological crater under the watch of circling angels? The truth is, she wasn’t born as it’s commonly thought. She arrived in her paradoxical world as a little hatchling, an anomaly whose purpose was to flee the nest and never return, and yet she did…’ With that flavor, this historical fiction explores with two real-life stories that magnetize attention to the last page.
The author’s synopsis condenses the story well: ‘In 1964, a Black teenager was murdered by a drunken white cop who got away with the crime, and eight years later, the boy' s best friend, Shane, returns from combat intent on carving out justice himself. Suzanne, the daughter of the lawyer who failed in prosecuting the case, also lands back in Virginia, but her aim is to follow her father' s path to suicide, a path created by his loss and the severe rheumatoid arthritis that followed. Shane and Suzanne were four years apart in high school and barely knew each other before they met, but after a chance encounter, an almost instant connection is made. Neither knows the other' s secret goal, but as their bonds deepen, their love will be tested by familial duty, long-held grief, and even shifting sanity. But love might have other plans for both Shane and Suzanne if both decide to live long enough to find out. In this vividly told and slightly surreal novel, the power of forgiveness might be their salvation.’ This is a deeply impressive novel by a gifted writer!
California author Ashby Jones earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and English literature and followed his education with an MBA, and a PhD in organizational behavior, later studying Creative Writing at UCLA. He serves as a portfolio manager at Morgan Stanley in Newport Beach. His passion is ‘writing literary fiction that attempts to understand mankind’s never-ending battles with irony, tragedy, blatant contradiction, and the anomalies of love.’ His books to date: THE ANGEL’S LAMP, CROSSING, and now LITTLE BIRD.
Jones’ richly descriptive prose is present as the Prologue to this fascinating novel opens: ‘When was Suzanne born? Yesterday? A decade or so ago? Possibly without a date at all but in some timeless, mythological crater under the watch of circling angels? The truth is, she wasn’t born as it’s commonly thought. She arrived in her paradoxical world as a little hatchling, an anomaly whose purpose was to flee the nest and never return, and yet she did…’ With that flavor, this historical fiction explores with two real-life stories that magnetize attention to the last page.
The author’s synopsis condenses the story well: ‘In 1964, a Black teenager was murdered by a drunken white cop who got away with the crime, and eight years later, the boy' s best friend, Shane, returns from combat intent on carving out justice himself. Suzanne, the daughter of the lawyer who failed in prosecuting the case, also lands back in Virginia, but her aim is to follow her father' s path to suicide, a path created by his loss and the severe rheumatoid arthritis that followed. Shane and Suzanne were four years apart in high school and barely knew each other before they met, but after a chance encounter, an almost instant connection is made. Neither knows the other' s secret goal, but as their bonds deepen, their love will be tested by familial duty, long-held grief, and even shifting sanity. But love might have other plans for both Shane and Suzanne if both decide to live long enough to find out. In this vividly told and slightly surreal novel, the power of forgiveness might be their salvation.’ This is a deeply impressive novel by a gifted writer!
December 17, 2025
Little Bird is one of those books that sits on your chest for a while after you close it. Not in a suffocating way, exactly, but like a small, stubborn weight that keeps asking, So… what would you have done?
We start with two people who are already broken in very different ways. Shane comes back to his small Virginia town after Vietnam carrying a medal, a gun, and a promise to avenge Jesse, the Black teenager who was beaten to death by a drunk cop during Shane’s high school game. Suzanne comes back for something much darker. Her father was the white lawyer who tried and failed to prosecute that same cop, and the shame and pain after the trial ravaged his body and eventually led to his death. Suzanne has quietly decided to follow him.
That sounds like the setup for a revenge story, but the book is much stranger and softer and more unsettling than that. The opening pages with Suzanne’s birth, the way she is first called “the little bird,” and the almost mythic tone of the prologue, make it clear this is not straight realism. Time feels slippery. Memory and guilt feel almost like physical spaces everyone keeps walking through.
What really worked for me is how specific these characters are. Shane is not just “the haunted veteran.” His guilt about Jesse, his almost boyish hero worship of his old English teacher Medic, the way he clings to that one line about some sins never being forgivable, all make him feel painfully human. Suzanne, with her art school background, her love of the Leonard Cohen song that gives her new name, her messy return on the roaring Tiger motorbike, is the kind of eccentric that could have been twee, but instead feels fragile and risky and real.
Their first real conversation at Medic’s party, when Shane finally tells the truth about the trial and Suzanne is forced to reevaluate everything she believed about her parents, might be my favourite part of the book. I kind of loved how layered that scene is: personal grief, racial injustice, small town hypocrisy, all crammed into one memory retold in a dim room while a party hums in the background.
If I have a tiny quibble, it is that the prose occasionally leans so hard into the lyrical and surreal that I had to reread a line or two to stay grounded. Still, even when I was slightly lost, I was never bored. The atmosphere, the river and ballfield and courthouse and chicken coop, all feel stained by what happened to Jesse and to this town.
In the end, this is less a story about revenge and more a story about whether two damaged people can choose life when every part of their past is pulling them toward death. It is tender, angry, sometimes a little strange, and honestly memorable.
Rating: five stars, and I am grateful I spent time with Shane and Suzanne.
We start with two people who are already broken in very different ways. Shane comes back to his small Virginia town after Vietnam carrying a medal, a gun, and a promise to avenge Jesse, the Black teenager who was beaten to death by a drunk cop during Shane’s high school game. Suzanne comes back for something much darker. Her father was the white lawyer who tried and failed to prosecute that same cop, and the shame and pain after the trial ravaged his body and eventually led to his death. Suzanne has quietly decided to follow him.
That sounds like the setup for a revenge story, but the book is much stranger and softer and more unsettling than that. The opening pages with Suzanne’s birth, the way she is first called “the little bird,” and the almost mythic tone of the prologue, make it clear this is not straight realism. Time feels slippery. Memory and guilt feel almost like physical spaces everyone keeps walking through.
What really worked for me is how specific these characters are. Shane is not just “the haunted veteran.” His guilt about Jesse, his almost boyish hero worship of his old English teacher Medic, the way he clings to that one line about some sins never being forgivable, all make him feel painfully human. Suzanne, with her art school background, her love of the Leonard Cohen song that gives her new name, her messy return on the roaring Tiger motorbike, is the kind of eccentric that could have been twee, but instead feels fragile and risky and real.
Their first real conversation at Medic’s party, when Shane finally tells the truth about the trial and Suzanne is forced to reevaluate everything she believed about her parents, might be my favourite part of the book. I kind of loved how layered that scene is: personal grief, racial injustice, small town hypocrisy, all crammed into one memory retold in a dim room while a party hums in the background.
If I have a tiny quibble, it is that the prose occasionally leans so hard into the lyrical and surreal that I had to reread a line or two to stay grounded. Still, even when I was slightly lost, I was never bored. The atmosphere, the river and ballfield and courthouse and chicken coop, all feel stained by what happened to Jesse and to this town.
In the end, this is less a story about revenge and more a story about whether two damaged people can choose life when every part of their past is pulling them toward death. It is tender, angry, sometimes a little strange, and honestly memorable.
Rating: five stars, and I am grateful I spent time with Shane and Suzanne.
December 30, 2025
I am fond of emotionally rich novels and Little Bird by Ashby Jones had made me fall for it.
It is a powerful and emotional story about injustice, grief, and the hope for healing. It begins with the murder of a Black teenager in 20th century by a white police officer who is never punished. Years later, the pain from this crime still affects everyone connected to it.
Shane, the boy's best friend, returns from war filled with anger and a desire to take justice into his own hands. Then comes, Suzanne, the lawyer's daughter who failed to win the case. She has returned with guilt, loss, and her own dark intentions. The duo meet by chance and gradually form a deep connection without knowing each other's actual plans. As their connection grows, they are forced to face buried grief, family responsibility, and the question of whether love can stop them from destroying themselves.
The story focuses on emotions over action—the slow pull of grief, the weight of unfinished pain, and the fragile possibility of forgiveness. The writing is intense yet thoughtful, keeping readers invested while leaving essential questions unanswered. I loved how the characters grows with each establishment, it was gradual and hooking.
It is a powerful and emotional story about injustice, grief, and the hope for healing. It begins with the murder of a Black teenager in 20th century by a white police officer who is never punished. Years later, the pain from this crime still affects everyone connected to it.
Shane, the boy's best friend, returns from war filled with anger and a desire to take justice into his own hands. Then comes, Suzanne, the lawyer's daughter who failed to win the case. She has returned with guilt, loss, and her own dark intentions. The duo meet by chance and gradually form a deep connection without knowing each other's actual plans. As their connection grows, they are forced to face buried grief, family responsibility, and the question of whether love can stop them from destroying themselves.
The story focuses on emotions over action—the slow pull of grief, the weight of unfinished pain, and the fragile possibility of forgiveness. The writing is intense yet thoughtful, keeping readers invested while leaving essential questions unanswered. I loved how the characters grows with each establishment, it was gradual and hooking.
December 28, 2025
The Little Bird by Ashby Jones revisits the senseless death of a young black man that changed the lives of those who saw his murder as a horrific killing. Unfortunately, most people in that town did not. Eight years later, Shane comes back to avenge his brother’s death, and Suzanne seeks the truth behind her father’s disgrace as the prosecuting attorney. Their initial reason for returning home was to put an end to their painful past, but their chance encounter could be their salvation.
Historical events, civil injustice, and redemption are woven into a single fictional novel that takes a broader view. The phrase, There are some sins that can never be forgiven, for to do so would be to commit a far greater sin. It made me wonder if the greater sin with forgiveness would be accepting the untimely death of a loved one, whether it be physical or emotional. I truly felt Ashby Jones penned an amazing historical novel that didn’t justify the sinful actions of others but magnified the forgiveness that breaks the chains of bondage in The Little Bird.
Historical events, civil injustice, and redemption are woven into a single fictional novel that takes a broader view. The phrase, There are some sins that can never be forgiven, for to do so would be to commit a far greater sin. It made me wonder if the greater sin with forgiveness would be accepting the untimely death of a loved one, whether it be physical or emotional. I truly felt Ashby Jones penned an amazing historical novel that didn’t justify the sinful actions of others but magnified the forgiveness that breaks the chains of bondage in The Little Bird.
June 1, 2025
The book starts out with the murder of a young black boy by a drunk and racist cop in the early 1960s. It starts with a very “To Kill A Mocking Bird” feel. Author Ashby Jones has a unique and compelling style that kept me reading long enough get to the real heart of the story, the budding relationship between Shane and Suzanne.
The world the author creates straddles several religions and mythologies. It’s up to the reader to decide whether these manifestations are real, or in the character’s minds.
By the halfway mark I was hopelessly hooked. I found myself unable to stop reading, devouring the story, yet dreading reaching the end and having no more.
I see the author has several other book that seem to be about finding love in places and times of conflict. If they are as good as this one, I’ll be spending some time with them.
The world the author creates straddles several religions and mythologies. It’s up to the reader to decide whether these manifestations are real, or in the character’s minds.
By the halfway mark I was hopelessly hooked. I found myself unable to stop reading, devouring the story, yet dreading reaching the end and having no more.
I see the author has several other book that seem to be about finding love in places and times of conflict. If they are as good as this one, I’ll be spending some time with them.
March 30, 2025
In 1964, an unspeakable tragedy occurs. A white police officer brutally murders a Black teen and gets away with it. Years later, the young man’s former best friend, Shane, returns from the military intent on getting revenge. Meanwhile, Suzanne, daughter of the prosecutor who failed to convict the cop, is seriously considering suicide, the same path that her father took.
Shane and Suzanne may not know it, but they are on a collision course. When they cross paths, both of their outlooks on the world change. Will their connection be enough to heal the pain they are both in? This novel deals with race relations, sadness, and rage, but is ultimately about redemption and forgiveness as well. It is moving, thoughtful, and full of magnificently poignant passages.
Shane and Suzanne may not know it, but they are on a collision course. When they cross paths, both of their outlooks on the world change. Will their connection be enough to heal the pain they are both in? This novel deals with race relations, sadness, and rage, but is ultimately about redemption and forgiveness as well. It is moving, thoughtful, and full of magnificently poignant passages.
April 4, 2025
The Little Bird by Ashby Jones is a work that deeply moved me, especially because of the emotional intensity evident in every page. What captivated me from the beginning was the immediate connection between Shane and Suzanne, and how their lives intertwine in a powerful way when they reunite. I think this novel has a unique atmosphere because it explores profound themes such as inherited pain, guilt, forgiveness, and the search for meaning in a world marked by injustice. Another highlight of this novel is the way the characters evolve despite their internal struggles; both find the possibility of healing through forgiveness and acceptance. I recommend this reading because it leaves me with profound reflections on what it truly means to find inner peace.
May 31, 2025
The Little Bird is a deeply moving novel based on things that really happened. Of course, it is hard to tell which parts are fact and which are embellishments of the author. However, it really does not matter because the book’s themes of grief, justice, love and forgiveness are all completely relevant whether or not that particular part of the story is completely true.
I found this to be a very stimulating read—the author takes a compassionate look at racial tension and the unexpected impact of love. The narrative is so compelling that it really left me feeling that I have got to know real people. Be prepared to cry sometimes, as there are many emotional moments in this exceptional book.
I found this to be a very stimulating read—the author takes a compassionate look at racial tension and the unexpected impact of love. The narrative is so compelling that it really left me feeling that I have got to know real people. Be prepared to cry sometimes, as there are many emotional moments in this exceptional book.
February 19, 2025
Must read!
I think that following the recommendation of my friend and buying this
book was one of the best ideas that I have ever had. I never thought that I would love this, but I was wrong and I completely fell in love with this book. One of my favorite things that I could find in a book is a lovely love story that was brought together
by the shared trauma and search for closure of the characters. Another thing that made me love this book was its storytelling, specially when talking about the equality of race, that was one of the main themes of this book, and that really made this narration
wonderful.
I think that following the recommendation of my friend and buying this
book was one of the best ideas that I have ever had. I never thought that I would love this, but I was wrong and I completely fell in love with this book. One of my favorite things that I could find in a book is a lovely love story that was brought together
by the shared trauma and search for closure of the characters. Another thing that made me love this book was its storytelling, specially when talking about the equality of race, that was one of the main themes of this book, and that really made this narration
wonderful.
April 1, 2025
The Little Bird is a novel that presents an intricate case of police brutality against a black teenager. Situated in Virginia, the book narrates the life of Shane and Suzanne, both deeply affected by the murder, consumed by depression and vengeance.
Overall, it was a moving read. The author does a great job crafting a plot that excels in originality, increasing intensity over the chapters. It raises some of the issues that, as a society, we've continued to allow to occur for so long. A book that can be felt from many angles and can have different meanings for each person who reads it. Recommended for readers who enjoy down-to-earth stories with a moral background.
Overall, it was a moving read. The author does a great job crafting a plot that excels in originality, increasing intensity over the chapters. It raises some of the issues that, as a society, we've continued to allow to occur for so long. A book that can be felt from many angles and can have different meanings for each person who reads it. Recommended for readers who enjoy down-to-earth stories with a moral background.
April 5, 2025
This novel shows that the path to forgiveness can be hard and painful, but in the end, it can be salvation. ''The Little Bird'' is a great novel that follows the story of Shane and Suzanne who seek justice, but what they don't know is that their destinies are intertwined. I have to confess that this novel moved me all the time. The author does an excellent job of describing and addressing difficult topics such as racism. The plot is authentic and shows different realities that we experience in our daily lives. Even the cover of the book is beautiful. This novel is a masterpiece that I'm sure you'll love. I highly recommend it.
April 5, 2025
A good story
This is definitely a book that grabs the reader from its cover to the content, making you do not want to stop reading until the end and know how will the story of Shane and Suzanne, the main characters, end.
The spectacular cover, with a single illustration, gives the reader a pretty good idea of the plot of the book.
The plot has different tints, such as sadness, nostalgia, love, racism, etc., making its content interesting and keeping the reader immersed in the reading.
It uses descriptive language, especially in the feelings of the characters, making the person who is reading it feel these feelings, and identify with some of the characters.
This is definitely a book that grabs the reader from its cover to the content, making you do not want to stop reading until the end and know how will the story of Shane and Suzanne, the main characters, end.
The spectacular cover, with a single illustration, gives the reader a pretty good idea of the plot of the book.
The plot has different tints, such as sadness, nostalgia, love, racism, etc., making its content interesting and keeping the reader immersed in the reading.
It uses descriptive language, especially in the feelings of the characters, making the person who is reading it feel these feelings, and identify with some of the characters.
April 7, 2025
Absolutely worth reading!
It is impossible to read this book without feeling touched and nostalgic. This is my first time reading Ashby Jones, and I’m glad I chose this amazing book. From the very first paragraph of Chapter One, I knew I was going to enjoy it—and now, I can confirm that.
One of the things I liked the most is the storytelling. The way each chapter and event is narrated makes the reader feel connected and curious from the very beginning. I also appreciated how Jones approached various themes, such as racism, forgiveness, friendship, sadness, along with many other emotions.
This book is absolutely worth reading! You won’t regret it.
It is impossible to read this book without feeling touched and nostalgic. This is my first time reading Ashby Jones, and I’m glad I chose this amazing book. From the very first paragraph of Chapter One, I knew I was going to enjoy it—and now, I can confirm that.
One of the things I liked the most is the storytelling. The way each chapter and event is narrated makes the reader feel connected and curious from the very beginning. I also appreciated how Jones approached various themes, such as racism, forgiveness, friendship, sadness, along with many other emotions.
This book is absolutely worth reading! You won’t regret it.
April 7, 2025
A captivating novel!
This is a deep and engaging novel that revolves around injustices, secrets, and unexpected love. The Little Bird by Ashby Jones is a story that moved me throughout the reading and even after finishing it.
The author did an excellent job with the main characters and their relationships. I liked how each one of them dealt with their past and their own problems, in a context of injustice, while at the same time finding peace and redemption in each other.
The plot is very well built and it develops in a fluid and constant way, captivating and keeping the reader interested at all times. It is a must read for fans of drama novels!
This is a deep and engaging novel that revolves around injustices, secrets, and unexpected love. The Little Bird by Ashby Jones is a story that moved me throughout the reading and even after finishing it.
The author did an excellent job with the main characters and their relationships. I liked how each one of them dealt with their past and their own problems, in a context of injustice, while at the same time finding peace and redemption in each other.
The plot is very well built and it develops in a fluid and constant way, captivating and keeping the reader interested at all times. It is a must read for fans of drama novels!
June 18, 2025
Raw, Surreal, and Unforgettable...
Ashby Jones delivers a hauntingly poetic tale in Little Bird, a novel steeped in sorrow, justice, and the complicated grace of second chances. Set against the charged backdrop of a racially fractured South, two wounded souls—Shane, a war-scarred seeker of justice, and Suzanne, spiraling under the weight of grief—collide in an unexpected and powerful way.
Their bond, fragile yet electric, pulses through a dreamlike narrative where pain hums beneath every page. Forgiveness hovers like a ghost, and love, strangely enough, might be the fiercest rebellion of all. Highly recommended.
Ashby Jones delivers a hauntingly poetic tale in Little Bird, a novel steeped in sorrow, justice, and the complicated grace of second chances. Set against the charged backdrop of a racially fractured South, two wounded souls—Shane, a war-scarred seeker of justice, and Suzanne, spiraling under the weight of grief—collide in an unexpected and powerful way.
Their bond, fragile yet electric, pulses through a dreamlike narrative where pain hums beneath every page. Forgiveness hovers like a ghost, and love, strangely enough, might be the fiercest rebellion of all. Highly recommended.
November 30, 2025
Little Bird: A Novel by Ashby Jones
Book starts out when Jessie has died, right after the football game. Others saw him but not at the time he was killed. Cop who was charged got off.
Like how Shane leaves the area and enters the military to get trained on how to kill others. When he returns it's to a retirement party for a teacher and he knows him and the girl who shows up after. The judges daughter but she goes by a different name now. Love the reference to Leonard Cohen and his song about Suzanne, one of my favorites.
So many twists and turns to really find out what happened to Jessie. Just when you think you know who really killed him, think again.
Great read
Book starts out when Jessie has died, right after the football game. Others saw him but not at the time he was killed. Cop who was charged got off.
Like how Shane leaves the area and enters the military to get trained on how to kill others. When he returns it's to a retirement party for a teacher and he knows him and the girl who shows up after. The judges daughter but she goes by a different name now. Love the reference to Leonard Cohen and his song about Suzanne, one of my favorites.
So many twists and turns to really find out what happened to Jessie. Just when you think you know who really killed him, think again.
Great read
April 16, 2025
Just beautiful
The Little Bird completely took me by surprise, but in the best way. This is about how broken people can still find each other, connect, and maybe even heal. Ashby Jones writes with such emotion that I felt everything, rage, sadness, longing, hope.
The writing is lyrical but grounded, and the surreal touches only made the emotional depth hit harder. This book made me cry more than once, but it also gave me a kind of quiet peace by the end. It’s the kind of novel that stays with you long after the last page.
The Little Bird completely took me by surprise, but in the best way. This is about how broken people can still find each other, connect, and maybe even heal. Ashby Jones writes with such emotion that I felt everything, rage, sadness, longing, hope.
The writing is lyrical but grounded, and the surreal touches only made the emotional depth hit harder. This book made me cry more than once, but it also gave me a kind of quiet peace by the end. It’s the kind of novel that stays with you long after the last page.
December 18, 2025
Little Bird hurt in ways I did not expect. On paper it sounds like pure tragedy with capital letters. Murder, war, suicide, racism, grief stacked on grief. In practice it is that, but also strangely tender and quietly odd, the way life feels when you have not slept properly in weeks and everything tilts a little to the side. We are in Meridien, Virginia, between the sixties and the early seventies, following Shane, a white veteran who cannot forgive himself for the killing of his Black friend Jesse, and Suzanne, the lawyer’s daughter who has quietly decided she is done with living. None of this should feel readable, yet Ashby Jones somehow makes it compulsive.
What worked best for me is how specific and strange these lives are. Shane is not just a stock haunted Marine; he is the kid who threw a blistering fastball under the stadium lights the night Jesse was beaten to death by Sergeant Talley, and that one game loops through his head like a broken record. Suzanne is not just sad; she is the former Jenny who renamed herself after a song, rides her father’s motorcycle, paints, talks about music as something that lives between the words, and keeps seeing herself as the little bird who maybe should have stayed dead. Their connection at Medic’s party feels a bit too instant and yet I believed it anyway, because both of them are so wrecked and so sharp at the same time. I kind of loved how messy that got.
The book is heavy on symbolism and sometimes drifts toward the surreal, especially around the Cave of Heracles, the Black cemetery, and that late scene with the tiny shore bird whose heart may or may not start again. I am still not totally sure how I feel about a few of those moments, but they have stayed in my head, like the smell of burnt popcorn after a movie that messed you up. The racial violence, the buried coffins, the question of whether every sin can be forgiven, none of that is treated lightly. Yet the last stretch bends toward mercy and hard won hope rather than neat justice, and I was grateful for that.
Five stars, because I closed the book feeling wrung out and weirdly hopeful, and I already know these characters are going to linger for a long time.
What worked best for me is how specific and strange these lives are. Shane is not just a stock haunted Marine; he is the kid who threw a blistering fastball under the stadium lights the night Jesse was beaten to death by Sergeant Talley, and that one game loops through his head like a broken record. Suzanne is not just sad; she is the former Jenny who renamed herself after a song, rides her father’s motorcycle, paints, talks about music as something that lives between the words, and keeps seeing herself as the little bird who maybe should have stayed dead. Their connection at Medic’s party feels a bit too instant and yet I believed it anyway, because both of them are so wrecked and so sharp at the same time. I kind of loved how messy that got.
The book is heavy on symbolism and sometimes drifts toward the surreal, especially around the Cave of Heracles, the Black cemetery, and that late scene with the tiny shore bird whose heart may or may not start again. I am still not totally sure how I feel about a few of those moments, but they have stayed in my head, like the smell of burnt popcorn after a movie that messed you up. The racial violence, the buried coffins, the question of whether every sin can be forgiven, none of that is treated lightly. Yet the last stretch bends toward mercy and hard won hope rather than neat justice, and I was grateful for that.
Five stars, because I closed the book feeling wrung out and weirdly hopeful, and I already know these characters are going to linger for a long time.
December 19, 2024
My book club read this book and loved it. When I finished reading, I. missed the characters who were so well- developed by the author. The themes explored are love, forgiveness, and renewal. Our club disscussion really turned into a spiritual one about the power of love to redeem lives. I highly recommend this book which is actually based on two true stories which occurred in the 50s and 60s in the South.
February 20, 2025
The Little Bird by Ashby Jones is a deep and emotional novel. The novel explores grief, love, and forgiveness. The writing is vivid, and the emotions feel real. The characters are strong and complex.
The story has a mix of reality and a dreamlike feeling. It shows how the past shapes people’s lives. It also asks if love and forgiveness can heal deep wounds.
This book is gripping and thought-provoking.
The story has a mix of reality and a dreamlike feeling. It shows how the past shapes people’s lives. It also asks if love and forgiveness can heal deep wounds.
This book is gripping and thought-provoking.
March 28, 2025
I'm eager to explore more works by this author. A huge shoutout to the author for creating such a fantastic piece. It truly felt like a lifesaver, and I’m incredibly thankful for this book. I was really excited about it, even though I didn’t get to dive in right away. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely seek out more from this author. I can't express my gratitude enough for this book, and I've already shared it with some friends.
April 6, 2025
Emotional and beautiful
The Little Bird by Ashby Jones is a deeply emotional and hauntingly beautiful novel. What struck me most was how raw and human the characters are. Ashby Jones writes with a poetic edge and a sensitivity that lingers. The way forgiveness is explored here isn’t cliché—it’s messy, complex, and redemptive. If you want a novel that doesn’t shy away from pain but also doesn’t forget about grace, The Little Bird is one you’ll carry with you long after the last page.
The Little Bird by Ashby Jones is a deeply emotional and hauntingly beautiful novel. What struck me most was how raw and human the characters are. Ashby Jones writes with a poetic edge and a sensitivity that lingers. The way forgiveness is explored here isn’t cliché—it’s messy, complex, and redemptive. If you want a novel that doesn’t shy away from pain but also doesn’t forget about grace, The Little Bird is one you’ll carry with you long after the last page.
April 11, 2025
This is a heavy read. Ashby Jones captures what two characters haunted by their past so beautifully. I would not mind seeing this as a short film. Even though this book is short, it's the perfect amount for this. The writing is amazing, and I couldn't put it down. Love, grief, and forgiveness are intertwined here. It's so hard to talk about this book. Have a tissue nearby because you will need it, but this book will also stay with you for a very long time.
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