Anywhere You Run by Wanda M. Morris (Review by Amelia Bowes)

Rating: 4/5

Anywhere You Run follows sisters Violet and Marigold Richards as they navigate living as Black women in 1964 Jackson, Mississippi. One night, after being horrifically assaulted, Violet kills her attacker. With the help of her White lover, she flees Jackson and seemingly finds refuge in the small town of Chillicothe, Georgia. In reality, her every move is being tracked. Meanwhile, pregnant and unmarried Marigold heads North in hopes of a new beginning free from segregation. Unknowingly, she’s traded one type of danger for another. 

This book is the perfect blend of informative history and heart-pumping suspense. Morrison doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of Jim Crow, and the reader is acutely aware that Violet and Marigold will face repercussions made all the more grave by their skin colour. The story is a bit of a slow burn, but it gains momentum near the end with several explosive events. I also enjoyed the character development that occurs with both sisters on their individual journeys, particularly as Violet finds a strong sense of community and renewed purpose in Chillicothe. 

I definitely recommend this book for The Gloss. The characters (villains aside) are flawed but likable, and the historical realities of the time period undoubtedly drive the plot forward. Anywhere You Run is an ideal choice for historical fiction lovers, thriller fanatics or anyone looking for their next great read.