Super Short Summary

Under the Skin: A Novel by James Carlos Blake is a noir thriller set in Depression-era Texas, following Jimmy Randolph Youngblood, the son of a prostitute and a legendary soldier, as he navigates a life fraught with violence, crime, and love along the Texas-Mexico border. Jimmy's journey involves escaping his past, working for a gang in Galveston, and ultimately falling for a runaway named Daniela, leading to a dramatic confrontation. The book addresses themes of violence, abuse, and survival in a gritty, nuanced portrayal of life on the border.