Where to Start Reading De’Shawn Charles Winslow
For readers new to De’Shawn Charles Winslow’s evocative Southern storytelling, the best starting point is his award-winning debut novel, In West Mills (2019). This book introduces the fictional, segregated canal town of West Mills, North Carolina, which serves as the emotional and physical anchor for much of his writing. By starting here, you get to experience the community’s foundational relationships, its shifting social dynamics from the 1940s through the 1980s, and meet the unforgettable Azalea “Knot” Centre. Understanding the character of Knot is particularly valuable, as she and other townspeople reappear or are referenced in his sophomore novel, Decent People.
If you prefer a fast-paced mystery over a sprawling multigenerational family drama, you can technically start with Decent People (2023). However, reading the books in publication order remains highly recommended. It allows you to appreciate the depth of the town's history and the subtle easter eggs Winslow plants for returning readers.
The West Mills Series: Order of Books
While Winslow's novels are standalones that feature self-contained plots, his first two books share the same fictional universe of West Mills, North Carolina. The community itself is a central character in these works, reflecting the struggles, secrets, and resilient bonds of its African American residents.
1. In West Mills (2019)
Winslow's debut novel spans four decades, from the 1940s to the 1980s. The story centers on Azalea "Knot" Centre, an outspoken, fiercely independent woman who refuses to conform to the expectations of her family or the segregated town of West Mills. She values her freedom, her books, and her moonshine, but her choices often ostracize her from the community. The heart of the novel is her lifelong, complex friendship with Lafayette "Otis" Lee, who acts as her protector and anchor. Through their bond, Winslow explores themes of chosen family, parental neglect, and the slow progression of time in a small Southern town.
2. Decent People (2023)
Set in 1976, this novel shifts the tone to a gripping murder mystery while maintaining the rich social commentary of Winslow’s debut. The town of West Mills is shocked by the triple homicide of the Harmon siblings, who were wealthy and influential Black residents. When the local police show little interest in solving the crime, Josephine Wright, a retiree who has recently returned to West Mills, decides to investigate. As Josephine digs into the mystery, she uncovers the town's deepest secrets, including class divides, racism, and homophobia. Knot Centre makes a memorable appearance in this book, bridging the two narratives together.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Because the timeline of In West Mills spans a wide timeframe (the 1940s to the 1980s) and Decent People is set specifically in 1976, their chronologies overlap. A chronological reading would technically place the events of Decent People near the final chapters of In West Mills. However, attempting to split the reading this way is impractical and disrupts the narrative flow of both books. Stick to the publication order to experience the world of West Mills as the author intended.
Other Works and Collaborative Projects
Beyond his West Mills universe, De’Shawn Charles Winslow has expanded his writing into collaborative storytelling and new settings, showcasing his versatility as a contemporary voice.
Fourteen Days (2024)
Winslow was one of 36 prominent authors who contributed to this collaborative novel edited by Margaret Atwood and Douglas Preston. Set in a Lower East Side tenement building in New York City during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the book features tenants gathering on the roof to tell stories to one another. Each character’s story was written by a different author, with the contributors' names kept secret until the end, creating a unique literary experience.
The Fervent Whites (2026)
Winslow’s third novel, released in June 2026, moves away from North Carolina to the Hudson Valley in New York. Set in 1982 in the small, predominantly Black community of Fervent, the suspenseful story follows James and Ella White. After being wrongfully convicted and subsequently exonerated of a murder, the couple returns to Fervent, raising tensions among the neighbors who had moved on. The plot weaves together family secrets, neighborly betrayals, and a new murder that threatens to tear the community apart.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Winslow’s books, it is helpful to understand the literary traditions and thematic elements that define his style. His writing draws heavy comparisons to literary giants like Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, and Gloria Naylor. Like Morrison and Hurston, Winslow captures the authentic cadence of Southern speech and the complex social hierarchies within segregated Black communities.
Although his books deal with heavy themes—including wrongful conviction, systemic racism, homophobia, and domestic abuse—Winslow infuses his stories with warmth, humor, and a deep affection for his characters. The towns he creates are insular and filled with gossip, but they are also spaces of profound resilience and mutual support. Whether you are walking the dirt roads of West Mills in the 1940s or navigating the tense streets of Fervent in 1982, Winslow's settings will feel intensely real.