"Thompson-Spires, a wondrously deft short story writer, has now given us a first novel that, while slim, manages to pack in an epic’s worth of lives, histories, and mysteries. This is a deliciously sweet and sour tour-de-force."—Kelly Link, author of The Book of Love

“The Four Wives And Five Deaths of Richard Milford is sharp, expansive, and polyphonic, a propulsive novel rendered with the wit and care present in all of Thompson-Spires’ work.”—Raven Leilani, author of Luster

"Nafissa Thompson-Spires is a one of one. The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford presents her humor and heart at full tilt. A beautiful novel that makes you smile even as it hurts."—Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, author of Chain-Gang All-Stars

"That Nafissa Thompson-Spires can conjure so much atmosphere in so few pages is both a feat and a mystery. From oil money to the rodeo, electric love and sudden death, Oklahoma positively blooms with violence and mercy alike. The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford unfolds with rare economy and force."—Kiley Reid, author of Come and Get It

"Line by line, The Four Wives And Five Deaths of Richard Milford is mesmerizing, tautly written, and wickedly funny. A truly enjoyable work."—Jami Attenberg, author of A Reason to See You Again

"A deeply satisfying novel that cracles as much with Thompson-Spires's singular intelligence as it does with mystery. I loved this ode to wild women, small towns, wily rumors and Black humor so much. A must-read."—Angela Flournoy, author of The Wilderness