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Blogs by Dee Dee Serpas, Ret. Lt.
Behind the Badge in Atchafalaya Swamp 9/25/2007 7:13:08 AM
Review Called A Diamond in the Swamp A Diamond in the Swamp
'Behind the Badge in Atchafalaya Swamp,' by Dee Dee Serpas – This is as reflective, generous, and humane – as it is moving, as Lt. Kevan Noelie's memory keeps returning to the values and struggles of 5 children orphaned by Hurricane Dakota. Serpas draws from her experiences of working for the East Jefferson Levee Police, Kenner Police Department and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office to bring realism to the character for Lt. Kevan Noelie, AKA “Sweetie Pie” Given all the sobering things that have happened since the turn of the 21st century — from the terrorist attacks of 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina., this story of a southern police woman and her internal struggles is an illustration of the resilience of the American spirit. Ms. Serpas has written a serious, energetically researched and fluent book, which gives the reader understanding in the complex lives of those who experience not only the drama of everyone’s lives in a professional sense by of their own personal dramas as well. Serpas gives Lt. Kevan Noelie, a “capacity for personal growth and change” embodied by her decision to be a police officer and follow in her family’s legacy, even when she finds that legacy is some what tarnished by the hidden actions of her own family members. In creating a portrait of Lt. Kevan Noelie, Ms. Serpas does much of what the reader will come to understand as bringing real life personal experiences and interjecting them in to the character. She underscores Noelie’s intelligence, toughness and resilience but also describes less than attractive traits that are hidden deep within the character’s own psyche. The gripping and powerful imagery presented, can only be formed by those “who have been there”. Serpas brings the powerful emotional tides to life in a way that takes the reader’s heart and brings them in to the fold of understanding Noelie’s life and seeing the events through her eyes, feeling her pain, joy and internal conflicts. The account of Noelie’s many traits seen in private by her friends, family and a select few —humor, spontaneity, enthusiasm — are concealed behind the “protective shell” she wears in public. This is described as “a disconnect between her convictions and words, and her actions.” Arguably the most troubling incidents in this book relate to Noelie’s relationship with “her brother”, her unknown brother, and a significant other” All of these come to a clash in the early part of the book, which starts the reader on a roll coaster ride though the emotional torment, grief and highs and lows of Noelie’s personal and professional life. Serpas, however, focuses on the battles between not only others and Noelie, but also Noelie and herself. In the course of the book Sepras’s creates a highly detailed portrait of Lt. Kevan Noelie, which everyone will laugh with, cry for and be on the edge of the seat for the next tragic incident that the character experiences. The reader is held to each page it is a true “can put it down adventure.” Serpas makes her mark in the literary world with the publication of “Behind the Badge in Atchafalaya Swamp” Keep watching for the next in the series of coming books from this new and promising author.
