The Justus Girls
By Evelyn "Slim" Lambright

     The Justus Girls is a novel covering the lives of four girls growing up in 60's Philadelphia. The story begins with the murder of Peaches, the event that brings the remaining three girls back together again after many years. At first, the book is hard to follow, but as characters developed, everything falls into place and the story progresses nicely. Some of the things that happened to Peaches, Jan, Sally Mae and Rachel while they were growing up are really hard to imagine and might not be for the faint of heart. Unfortunately, child abuse is all too real.

     The title is hard to understand until the four form a drill team, and the title became clear. Just us, nothing pretentious about them, they are just themselves, able to discipline themselves and provide structure and direction. The JG's, the Justus Girls. Everything they achieve is self-taught. As with all friendships, there are problems, but never a setback big enough to separate them permanently. Certainly they didn't all agree with one anothers' choices about how to live their individual lives, but there is no judgment or condemnation among them, only mutual understanding, love and respect.

     The Justus Girls is action-packed and contains something for everyone. There are mysteries to solve, romances to follow, a reunion of long lost family members, the Vietnam conflict, and an in-depth study into the world of an all-powerful pimp. Ms. Lambright did a wonderful job of exposing just enough of the girls to satisfy the reader. A well-crafted novel, progressively better with each succeeding page.