Cara Hunter: Making a killing, c format paperback, Harper Collins UK, pub date: Feb 23, 2025

I have been following Cara Hunter's excellent Oxford detective team under DCI Adam Fawley from the beginning. This is the 4th book in the series and it picks up the loose end of a previous novel, whatever happend to Daisy Mason whose mother is serving a prison sentence for her murder. But Daisy's body was never found and the trial was purely evidence passed by Adam's team. 

When Daisy's DNA is found at a new bizarre murder scene, a big question mark demands a reopening of the old case. I will not reveal more but found myself turning the pages of this very twisted tale speedily. Hunter has written another well plotted thriller with trademark turns until the end. 

 

 Percival Everett: The Trees, Picador,,Uk, paperback and ebook

After reading Percival Everett's masterpiece " James" , I wanted to know more about his work and downloaded "The Trees"  for which he was also shortlisted for the Booker in 2022. 

Money, Mississippi:  a place predominately populated by white racist trash, becomes suddenly the center of attention when 3 male bodies are discovered brutally murdered, 2 white men, one black man holding the testicales of the others in his hand. All hell breaks loose, quickly two black detectives are dispatched to investigate but they are soon confronted with the violent past of the south, a history of lynchings and soon a number of copycat killings. Add to that some goofy, eccentric characters and Everett pulls off the impossible. 

It is hard to believe how such a serious subject can be comical but I found myself laughing a few times at the absurdity and grotesqueness of situations, the language and the behavior of the protagonists. How to sum it up? A cross between mystery, comedy and horror show digging into histoy,  this is a fabulous book, loved it! 

 

Percival Everett: James, 978038550888, c format paperback, Doubleday, US

Just finished "James"  by Percival Everett and with the backdrop of the  US elections, it gives this extraordinary, powerful novel even more of an emphasis. 

 WOW! I am still trying to process this masterpiece. A fast, easy literary read which stands in stark contrast to the seriousness of the subject,  the storytelling even funny at times and yet the horrors of slavery always present.  Only now do I feel that through the narration by James, the runaway slave and friend of Tom Sawyer and especially Huck Finn, a tale started by Twain and one of my teenage favorites,  the picture is complete.  

Everett's idea of having the slaves only speaking Patois when a white person is around but conversing in normal English amongst themselves,  felt humorous but always highlighted the whole absurdity of the situation.  

I  loved this book, Jim's ordeal hard to fathoms at times but I know enough about US history that his story was that of many slaves.  I wonder whether "James" will win the Booker prize,  definitely has my vote.