I met John Hope at the 2024 Southwest Florida Reading Festival and was immediately drawn toward his books. I grabbed “No Good” and several others that I’m excited to read. Stay tuned for future reviews! 

 

“No Good” is told from twelve-year-old Johnny “No Good” Emmerstaff’s POV. He is an only child in a semi-rural section of Sanford, Florida in the late 1940s. Early in the story, Johnny’s parents agree to adopt a boy Johnny’s age, Josh, who has ties to Old Man Badeau who is supposedly connected to a recent murder.  There are so many unexpected connections! 

 

The story is written exactly how these characters would speak. Keep in mind the language that would have been used in rural 1940s Florida as it pertains to other races as well as the dialect of those who would be considered “less educated.” This story uniquely feels like young adult or new adult due to the age of the main character and his childlike mindset, but the events of the novel are definitely adult. These children are exposed to content that is not appropriate for their age, that is for sure. 

 

If you’re looking for an independently published, true crime story set in Florida, this is definitely a book you should check out!