The Last Hotel for Women

Vicki Covington has written a very good novel about the civil rights struggle in Alabama, that is not nearly as good as two of her previous novels, Gathering Home and Night Ride Home.The family characters,as well as a freedom rider,and especailly, the character of the journalist are all compelling. The problem is that Bull Conner, a well researched historical figure reads more like a well researched historical figure than like a believable character. Still, this is a quibble, because Vicki Covington is our greatest living Southern novelist,so we come to expect more from her than from others. I recommend that you buy this book, but also buy the two previously mentioned superior novels, especially Night Ride Home, which is as good as a contemporary novel gets