Flashback to 1969, where we meet Daisy Jane working in a diner and fending off lecherous men at every turn. She lives with her father, an automotive repair man. Daisy Jane dreams of going to college, but dad tells her not to get her hopes up, because they don’t have very much money. Daisy Jane, though, believes that hard work and persistence will see her through, and she is rewarded with acceptance to UCLA and financial aid. Off she goes to college, where she is known as smart, studious, and a bookworm.
Without giving away any spoilers, tragedy strikes when Daisy Jane’s father calls, begging her to come home. Apparently, dad isn’t quite who she thought he was, and his past catches up with them both.
The artistic style matches the tone of the text. Sharp lines and edges, a good deal of cross hatching and no frill detail reinforce the grittiness of the tale. There is violence indeed, just enough to be disturbing but not enough to stray into the horror-gore territory. It’s a fast-paced read, and it leaves you wanting more.
The tale of Daisy Jane and Rock is supposedly inspired by a true story, and I for one am looking to find out what that story is, how it impacted the retired sheriff and what it’s legacy will be.