Review: Garden of Locusts by J.T. Ruby

A vicious murderer, two twin boys, and a determined sheriff swirl at the center of Garden of Locusts, a gripping new novel from author J.T. Ruby. In the pressure cooker of small-town Alabama in the 1970s, this family drama is a sweeping Southern epic that embraces everything from young love and parental loss to fraternal conflict and institutionalized racism.

Ben and Owen Hood are twin brothers trying to find their own ways in the world, deeply connected but also vastly different. Simon Singleton is a detective now sheriff from across the pond whose nose for serial killers and penchant for stubbornness are only growing. Eli Crisp is the terrifying bogeyman, a psychotic prodigal son, whose sinister actions are the tell-tale heart of this novel.

After the twins experience the ultimate loss one can feel as a child, they are then immediately forced into nightmarish captivity where existence feels perpetually at risk. The horrors the boys face, and eventually escape, will send one of them to an institution, but the wounds never fully heal.

What follows in the second half of the book is a sweeping, emotional journey in the tradition of Faulkner, as Ben tries desperately to find his brother Owen, with the gallant help of Sheriff Singleton. The narration bounces between separate but tangled storylines, providing a wealth of tense scenes to let this psychological saga play out.

Sheriff Simon is the glue that holds this story together, and while the out-of-place British detective in America may seem like a stock trope, Ruby has created a truly original and memorable sleuth. There is perpetual danger of real consequences for characters, and no guarantee of a happy ending. From early on, readers know that this book has the potential to be brutal, and it regularly delivers on that promise.

Being in the same room as the villain for some of the story makes the reading experience all the more intense, as readers are able to see when terrible events are brewing, and when worlds are going to collide. Even with this omnipresent view, however, there are plenty of graphic, shocking, and unforgettable moments that provide more than enough surprise.

From a storytelling standpoint, the author does a remarkable job of keeping every page of prose interesting, even with the book’s considerable length. The author’s use of language is flexible and confident, almost playful at times, but he also knows how to be savage and visceral with dark, haunting descriptions. Creating a cast of likable characters, and placing them in a somewhat foreign world with delicacy and descriptive flourish makes this book a rewarding and frightening escape.

The dialogue is the major stumbling point in the narrative, including both inconsistent colloquial forms of speech and heavy-handed exchanges at key transitional moments. While the narration is typically sharp and clear, the conversations often fall short in terms of believability or engagement. That said, the relationship between Ben and Owen early on, as well as some of the interactions between Eli and Owen, hum with authenticity and potency.

As a whole, Garden of Locusts is an ambitious and gut-wrenching thriller that shines a hard Southern light on family, trauma, grief, and resilience.