Chapter 4: The Present-Day Investigation

This chapter returns to the present, focusing on the discovery of Larry's shooting and the subsequent investigation.

Angie finds Larry, and French and Silas inspect his house. The familiar surroundings trigger memories for Silas, hinting at the complex history between him and Larry.

Highlight: The investigators search for evidence, looking for tracks, footprints, and fingerprints, but find nothing significant.

Silas discovers that Larry had indeed tried to contact him multiple times, adding to his sense of guilt and unresolved issues from their past.

Chapter 5: Childhood Secrets and Broken Friendship

Returning to the past, this chapter delves deeper into Larry and Silas's secret friendship during summer vacation.

The boys' bond is tested when Larry takes Silas to spy on Cindy Walker. They witness a disturbing scene involving Cindy's stepfather, Cecil. Silas confronts the adults, while Larry remains passive.

Highlight: This incident marks a turning point in their friendship, revealing their different reactions to injustice.

The chapter also explores the racial tensions of the time, culminating in a forced fight between Larry and Silas, orchestrated by Larry's drunk father, Carl.

Quote: Carl humiliates Larry, mocking his stutter and forcing him to use a racial slur against Silas: "Larry calling Silas a n***"

This traumatic event effectively ends their friendship, setting the stage for their complicated relationship in the present.

Chapter 6: Present and Past Intertwined

The narrative shifts between present and past, providing more context to Larry and Silas's complex history.

In the present, Larry is in the ICU, while Silas continues his investigation. He discovers old photos at Larry's house, including one of his mother Alice as a babysitter, hinting at previously unknown connections.

The chapter then delves into Silas's past in Chicago, offering insight into his life before moving to Mississippi.

Vocabulary: ICU stands for Intensive Care Unit, indicating the severity of Larry's condition.

Example: Silas's life in Chicago is described in detail, including living in an "all-black neighborhood" and enjoying TV shows like "Good Times," providing context for his experience as a black child in a northern city.

The chapter ends with Silas and his mother's journey to Mississippi, driven by circumstances related to his mother's boyfriend's criminal activities. This move sets the stage for Silas's eventual meeting with Larry and the events that would shape both their lives.

Chapter 1: Present Day

In the opening chapter of Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, we are introduced to Larry Ott's routine and the sudden disruption that changes everything.

Larry Ott, the protagonist, goes about his usual activities, including feeding chickens and reading. His plan to visit his mother in a nursing home is interrupted when he needs to return home for a photo album. Upon arriving, he encounters a terrifying sight: a figure wearing his zombie mask, which then shoots him.

Highlight: Despite being shot, Larry feels sympathy and forgiveness for his attacker, reflecting, "because all monsters were misunderstood."

This chapter sets the tone for the novel, introducing the element of mystery and hinting at Larry's complex character.

Chapter 2: The Investigation Begins

The narrative shifts to Silas Jones, now a constable, as he searches for the missing Tina Rutherford on the Rutherford property. Instead of finding Tina, Silas discovers the body of M&M, adding another layer to the mystery.

French, another law enforcement officer, takes charge of the scene and informs Silas that Larry Ott is the primary suspect in Tina's disappearance. This revelation brings up the complicated history between Silas and Larry.

Quote: French denies any close relationship with Larry, stating, "I was in school with him's all."

Silas remembers that Larry had tried to call him recently, but he never returned the call. This detail weighs on Silas as he drives to Larry's garage to check on him. The chapter ends with Angie, another character, discovering something alarming at Larry's house.

Chapter 3: A Glimpse into the Past

This chapter takes us back to 1979, when Silas and Larry first meet. The scene unfolds in Carl Ott's car, as he picks up Silas and his mother Alice.

Highlight: The chapter explores the racial dynamics of the time, with Larry being "terrified of black kids" despite attending a mixed school.

We learn about Larry's struggles to fit in, both at school and with his father. Larry's physical weaknesses and interests in reading rather than sports set him apart from his peers and disappoint his father.

The chapter also introduces a pivotal moment when Larry, in an attempt to make friends, uses a racial slur against Jackie, a black student. This incident leads to humiliation for Larry and sets the stage for future conflicts.

Definition: "Mechanically disinclined" is used to describe Larry, indicating his lack of aptitude or interest in practical, hands-on tasks, further distancing him from his father's expectations.

The chapter ends with Silas and Larry meeting by chance in the forest, playing with Larry's rifle, foreshadowing the importance of this weapon in their relationship.