The Gulf: A Novel

A review of The Gulf , a novel by Rachel CochranThis first novel by Rachel Cochran is mesmerizing. So appropriately named because we find The Texas Gulf coast as the setting and at the same time, we experience the gulf among the characters in this absorbing write.Rachel deals so deftly with the battle for sexual freedom combined with the mystery of her characters’ guilt, dark secrets, religious fanaticism, a mansion haunted by memories and the solving of a murder. There is complexity in this novel because of the twists and turns of the plot and how the characters all have such a profound effect on each other’s lives in one way or another by the secrets they keep.The novel takes place in a small Texas town called Parson in the aftermath of a great hurricane that nearly destroyed it. The Viet Nam war also becomes a character in this story as it causes more secrets to be undiscovered for pages and pages. One of the strongest elements in this book is that the most important characters on which the story centers are two characters, deceased before the novel begins its 300 page trek.But as we find out reading further into the book, the hurricane rearranged so many lives. The War rearranged so many lives. Characters change, characters experience what at the time is unacceptable love, they experience a storm of prejudice and must keep so many secrets.As the mystery unravels, we are swept away like leaves in the hurricane of life. I found the descriptions by Rachel Cochran so intense that even as a reader I felt part of the script. It was almost like being a spirit roaming the halls of the Mansion observing how it is being rebuilt much like the little town of Parson is trying to rebuild itself after its war with Mother Nature. But there also exists a rebuilding of acceptance that allows the characters to be who they are and love whom they love.This is a novel that will gradually grab you in a clinch and not let you go until the last storm of emotion has receded.(jacob erin-cilberto, author of Scattered Dimensions)

storyline compelling and use of English language great, thought some lines predictable

In small town Parson, TX, Louisa (Lou) is helping Miss Kate renovate an old mansion. Miss Kate, mother of her estranged childhood friend, Joanna, was always a 2nd mom to Lou. But, when Lou finds Miss Kate dead in her garden, she begins to suspect Joanna and her brother, Seth, of murdering Miss Kate.Lou is in a relationship with Heather, her dead brother, Robby's ex and mother of their child, Sarah. But, she can't shake the old feelings she had for Joanna. However, there are many secrets in this small town that come to light as Lou finds the truth about Miss Kate's past, her religious fanaticism, and her friend Peg, who wants to create a haven for women in the town.Sinister story.

Never have given a book a 5 star review until now. A very well written story that stays with you after its conclusion. The twists and turns in this story are ones you never see coming. Well done in capturing some of the realities that black and white LGB young people faced in the deep South in the 50's, 60's & 70's. Realities that illustrate how deeply the intersectionality of racism, classism, sexism, & homophobia affected us all then (as in this fictionalized story) and now.

I finished this book and I loved it! The hard part is after, I'm like what am I doing with my life now? Lol I love the places, people, and mystery. I'll be cherishing my hardcopy for life. 💜💓

A wonderful LGBTQ+ debut thriller!I really enjoyed this Sapphic Gothic Noir in a twisted small town with a fascinating cast of characters.

Parsons, Texas isn't a real small gulf coast town, but it is true to the spirit of life as a queer person in the south. Twisted, terrifying, and rife with open secrets you simply "miss" growing up. Details in plain sight, yet lost to a fog of misremembered half truths under the deceptive illusion of limited perspectives. This story thrives in the grey areas... is built on them. Cochran's sense of mystery feels more "real" than a Hollywood plot twist, because the pivotal clues aren't mcguffins but a gradual transformation of a limited snapshot of a person into a three-dimensional (and deeply flawed) vision of who that person really is... or who they always really were.The Gulf is an incredible book. A slow burn that rewards its reader. A noir that shows how it feels to exist in the stranglehold of a small town where everyone knows everyone else, but nobody really sees one another.

I’m no literary critic nor am I a big reader, but this was a book I could not put down. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys reading murder mysteries where the characters are intriguing and the story line keeps you guessing.