Inescapable, A Novel

by Wb Henley

There is a plan for each of us. Or so we are told. Maybe the plan for Buck was unthinkable. Maybe his destiny was to murder. Maybe his fate was Inescapable.




In his gritty debut novel, which won Best First Chapter in the 2022 Awarded Writers' Collection published by the Alabama Writers Cooperative, Southern author WB Henley explores the ragged mind of a young White man accused of matricide, the dark machinations of a town intent on keeping its secrets buried, and the dogged determination of a Black lawman searching for the truth while battling his own demons.

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2023

Reviews

[Terry Woosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast moving Southern Gothic tale

Lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and working to keep up with a complicated story. Interesting characters who narrate action-packed chapters. A modern-day take set in a fictional small in rural Alabama with a black sheriff facing prejudice from the justice system. He works steadfastly to do his job with honesty and respect while grieving the suspicious death of his wife. The climactic scenes are heart-pounsing and the ending realistic and satisfying. The author does a great job of painting with words so the scenes come alive. A great read.

[Gregory Whitis · Rating 4 out of 5]

WB Henley’s Inescapable is a nicely paced crime mystery set in west Alabama in a fictional county. The author uses a crafty combination of first person and third person (omniscient). The making of a good story is realistic dialogue and a true recapturing of the setting through descriptive imagery. Henley accomplishes this throughout the book. My favorite sentence—Her jeans were one size too small, and she filled them with the confidence of a woman who was comfortable in her skin. There were plenty more like this in the story. This is a commendable award-winning debut novel. I’m looking forward to reading more from WB Henley.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wb Henley will go down in the books as a true southern writer. He evokes so many thought provoking ideas when telling the tale of Buck. The flow of emotion is palpable from one page to the next. I think the description of small town Alabama in comparison to the "white washed kitchen" was as forward thinking and trendsetting as natural, wood tones making a comeback in kitchens. It's always good to have varying tones and mediums. GREAT BOOK!!!!!

[Eileen Callejas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love this story. After reading this book (only 224 pages) I’m very fond of some of the characters and despise some others. I don’t understand how so few words effect me so strongly but I like it. I sometimes reread a book after several years. This is my first time to begin rereading the same month I finished a book.

[Kristin Daryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was riveted by WB Henley's novel, Inescapable. It held my attention from beginning to end as it weaved its tale through the perspective of many people in the town in Alabama. It was a great exploration of what is seen versus what is truth.

[Becky Hardesty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story with plenty of twists and typical southern backwoods justice.

[TheCrabbyLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be absolutely unputdownable! This is a debut novel for the author and WOW what a debut it is, Southern Gothic at its finest.