Just who was the blue-eyed girl with the red suitcase that
forever changed Billy Ray Hutchins life?
She called herself Charlene. She
told him she didn’t remember anything about her past. Slow-witted, illiterate, Billy Ray took her
into his home, an Arkansas mountaintop cabin, and into his heart. She liked Big
Dog and she made great biscuits. Charlene
and Billy Ray settled into a nice way of life; until the old man moved in
across the road.
Arson, murder and mystery wend their way through the pages
of this book. Unspeakable acts on innocents; a heart-wrenching crime scene that
brings tears to the eyes of a seasoned police chief, false accusations that
tear at the very thread of Billy Ray’s existence. When the attorney, Mr. Green, gave up his defense
of Charlene, Billy Ray remained doggedly determined to find Only
the Truth. Simple in mind and
spirit he could see what professional investigators were missing.
It takes great skill, as a writer, to build an unforgettable
character like Billy Ray Hutchins. Pat Brown has accomplished a remarkable feat
allowing the reader into those special thoughts and emotions. Companion characters like Charlene, Mrs. Covey,
the kindly over-the-road trucker, the sheriff and chief of police lend depth
and interest to a story well told. The ending seems abrupt, leading the reader
to believe we haven’t heard the last of Billy Ray’s story.
I recommend reading Only the Truth not just for its
content but for Pat Brown’s unique style of writing. It’s refreshing, straight-forward, and
doesn’t rely on contrived circumstances or ill-timed humor. You might want to start reading this book
when you have a favorable block of time – it’s hard to put down.
