Promise Boys uses the premise of a murder mystery to explore the biases against and unfair expectations of Black and Latino boys as well as the corruption and cruelty often present within the educational system. The structure of this book worked in its favor both in developing the discussion of these issues and building up the mystery. The book is split between the POVs of the three main characters and a mixture of articles, interviews, and perspectives from other members of their community. The variety of perspectives gives a full view of the different ways the three accused boys, their murdered principal, and the school system are viewed. It was often painful to see how the main characters' struggles and emotions became ammunition against them.
However, the pacing could have used tweaking. A lot of the book was spent on set-up, with less time for the investigation and unraveling of the mystery. I would have liked to see more of the boys and their allies working together and putting the clues together. The ending too felt a bit sudden and almost too neatly resolved.
However, the pacing could have used tweaking. A lot of the book was spent on set-up, with less time for the investigation and unraveling of the mystery. I would have liked to see more of the boys and their allies working together and putting the clues together. The ending too felt a bit sudden and almost too neatly resolved.