One of my favorite genre is southern fiction but I had a hard time getting through this book. Thanks to author Anthony Todd Carlisle, Hidden Shelf Publishing House, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for an honest review.

This is an engrossing tale of redemption that blends the past and present, slowly unraveling a crime and bringing a family together.
The author paints his characters with humanity and depth.

A very satisfying read. This is a deftly told story that covers a lot of social history through the lens of a particular family, giving a considered view of a black family split apart and ultimately brought back together through family secrets, loyalty and love.

I loved The Souls of Clayhatchee by Anthony Todd Carlisle. This was provided to me as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. This is the story of a young black journalist taking his mother back to her home town in the South for her burial. What he encounters is a family who loves and welcomes him ‘home’ but he soon learns his family and the South hold many secrets. This is his journey to realization of family loyalty, love, how far does one go for those things. A lot of Southern and black culture issues are explored in the story. The writing is superb and descriptive. I am a Southerner and this evoked so much for me. I am different than the character but I can appreciate coming to terms with the past and present. I gave this 4 stars.

The Souls of Clayhatchee was a great read. I’ve been trying to diversify my bookshelf, so I was excited when this one came in the mail. James finds out secrets about his family (one that made my jaw drop) and learns more than he expected when he goes to Clayhatchee to bury his mother. The final reveal was unexpected and added yet another element of surprise to the book. I enjoyed it very much, and read the second half in only a few hours (couldn’t put it down)!

In Todd Carlisle’s book “The Souls of Clayhatchee” you will follow James as he is carrying out his mother’s final wishes of being buried in her hometown. James’s family reunion is quickly interrupted. The talented reporter is on the clock as he begins unearthing the skeletons of his family’s past, while discovering the man he wants to be. The dynamic characters and story development will keep you turning the pages. You won’t want to put it down.

James must keep his promise to bury his mother at her childhood home in Clayhatchee, Alabama. The experiences gained throughout the story while keeping this promise will challenge his beliefs about himself, family, racism, and his family’s personal history. Dr. Anthony Todd Carlisle’s storytelling ability will make you feel and believe you are with James as he evolves and follows the mystery about his family’s migration north. The Souls of Clayhatchee is a gripping story and will be hard to put down!

The Souls of Clayhatche by Anthony Todd Carlisle is a story about a sons return to the south to fulfill his mother’s final wishes. Racism, family secrets, and injustice are all waiting for him in his parents hometown. While there, the main character,James, discovers more about himself and his family than he ever knew. Todd Carlisle paints such a clear picture of this southern family that the reader starts to feel connected to them as well, and the characters really jump off the page. As James gets to know his extended family he begins to unearth some long held family secrets. This book is a real page turner. I absolutely loved it!

What a fantastic debut novel by Anthony Todd Carlisle! The Souls of Clayhatchee is a compelling story about a man taking his deceased mother to be buried in her hometown and, while there, he learns many secrets about his immediate family, his extended family, as well as family that he didn't even know he had.

I love how the author intertwines his personal experiences with his love of music and African American history in the South. This one of my favorite novels on my book shelf!

Mystery, intrigue, timely topics, and humor expertly woven together to create a captivating and important debut novel. This book has potential for great success, and to act as a catalyst for conversations around race.

The Souls of Clayhatchee is a powerful story about a son honoring his mother’s last wishes even though he doesn’t understand her motives. What he finds is a deep, dark, family secret that changes his life forever. This book is a page turner, full of mystery and unexpected twists!

Almost instantly in Carlisle's first fictional novel debut masterpiece. His words bleeds through the pages practically reportorial in the technique. An unapologetic realistic imagery delivering a story that is packed with colors of emotion that amplify his writing. The tone of this book is blatant INDIGNITIES portraying adversities that some may face daily. Talented yet brilliant books like Souls of Clayhatchee are definitely one not to be slept on.

Souls of Clayhatchee  is bold and remarkably smart that it is social commentary in the world of fiction. I truly enjoy books that is similar in nature to author's such as Sister Souljah, Richard Wright and the like it's easy for me to immerse myself in those types of books and the story told, as they completely grab my attention. Tie's to the past, grievance, healing and acceptance foregrounds the incidents of the story. First I thought that James was just a workaholic then I understood that there was an array of reasons why he had such eagerness to return to normalcy in New 'Yoke'  to his career as a reporter and back to Chubby, so that he could finalize a story and continue to follow up on timely news investigations. Putting that on pause for the moment was crucial for him to focus his attention on his mother Elaine; her transition to the afterlife then her transition from Pittsburgh to Alabama. This demanding journey was to mentally prepare himself for the unforeseen events to come which he began by embarking to a state of dystopia and self-discovery while navigating intimate reflections. James desired to get back into her graces an solidify his relationship with his prose. There is no convincing, he concretely knows that his 'girl'  is an extraordinary woman, however her discontent that he is not acknowledging his carelessness yet ignoring her concerns from a huge mistake. Shocked by an unusual anonymity during Elaine's funeral services eventually sparked an appreciated mood of optimism which definitely had its advantages when welcoming what is family. I was two seconds away from skipping a few pages just find out who was "M" I couldn't deal with the suspense, but I dealt with that feeling as I had with the entire book.This story is thoroughly absorbing and compelling. The savvy prominent protagonist reporter due to his personal and professional training prepared him for the humility needed during the indignities an incidents of the south when returning to his parents hometown. Through the feelings of bereft his point was to honor his mother therefore he traveled across the country as quickly as possible, so he hit the road to a place where there are adamant consciousness, attitudes, nightmares and experiences.These views profoundly impacted James own plans and understanding. Amped up emotionally by an offensive revelation. James and Bunky both abet each other during the course of James stay. "Robbing"  was James vindication that became Bunky smutty temptation that he could not resist through a  double entendre. The scoundrel in the house on the hill was robbed of life, money and respect. The plan was murder. Residual attitudes linger, their reflection of preconceived ideas of the south and those tense implications are addressed proficiently. Several unique personalities and noticeable linguistics is apparent. Soon James realizes that  cutting off ties with  his family past was more of a longing destination not just a burial trip.

This tale has such freshness and  finesse. I wouldn't be surprised just how popular this book becomes. It managed to surpass my high expectation  It’s as if Anthony Todd Carlisle has been a published novelist for many years. It was a pleasure to follow James on his emotional journey an see how he aimed to help facilitate righting some wrongs  The resolved ending was pleasing considering the climax of a chain of events and cherishing those close to you.