Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

One of 2010's best books, Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter is the story of the friendship of two boys - one white, one black - in small town Mississippi. The book opens as Larry Ott is being shot in the chest by an unknown assailant. Ironically, he is saved by the town constable, with whom Larry was friends when they were in school. However, when a local girl disappears after a date with Larry, the friends move on. Larry becomes stuck--he reads and keeps his father's garage open, but has no business and no friends--while Silas goes to Ole Miss to play baseball. Now, years later, Silas has returned to town, and the real story finally comes out.
Similar to Dennis Lehane and Lee Smith.