Saint Mudd

by Steven Thayer

A classic gangster novel. SAINT MUDD is the haunting story of a dying columnist for a dying newspaper in city wallowing in the Great Depression. St. Paul during the 1930s is home to gangsters like John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, and Ma Barker’s boys thriving on a booming economy of prostitution, kidnapping, and robbery. Grover Mudd, the city’s premier reporter, wants nothing more than to put them away forever. But in a city that has the best politicians and police money can buy, Mudd suspects his efforts will lead to a big fat zero. But even a seasoned pro like Grover Mudd, who is certainly no saint, can’t get used to all the dead bodies. With the reluctant help of the FBI, and the conflicted loyalty of a beautiful blond, Mudd targets the sociopathic killers with his own brand of terror. It is a high-stakes, high-risk gamble for the soul of a city, and the odds keep piling up—until Mudd finds out what unimaginable horrors human beings are capable of—including himself. Grover Mudd could end up a saint—or maybe a corpse.

369 pages

First published November 2, 2009

Reviews

[Michael Bagnoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

“In St. Paul, gangsters can fuck in the street.”

This quote, and the rest of the book, helped me learn that Minnesota Nice was not always a thing. Back in the day, gangsters, helped by corrupt cops and politicians, controlled St. Paul. While the plot wasn’t the best, this story was a nice little history lesson on St. Paul and Minnesota. Who knew that the city had its very own red-light district where the Science Museum now sits and that Nina’s Café is named after Nina Clifford, a prominent brothel owner? Facts like these, contextualized in the streets I grew up on, made this a delightfully nostalgic read.

[Dan Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to live in the Twin Cities, and in fact spent a good amount of time in the neighborhoods of St Paul where much of this book takes place -- so if you like gangster stories *and* St Paul, this is something you'll definitely enjoy.

(In that sense, it's almost like the, well, twin of a Minneapolis murder mystery book that also takes place in neighborhoods I know well: The Weatherman.)

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Clearly well researched, story set in St. Paul Minnesota's gangster era.
Curious to read more by this author.

I do agree with other reviewers. The depiction of women in this book is not great and some of the sex scenes are problematic, to say the least.

[Amy]

I've really loved Steve Thayers previous books, but I had a hard time with this one. I love St. Paul history and gangsters, but I struggled a lot with how women are portrayed in this book. Yes, I know women didn't have as much respect back then, especially by the gangsters. I know women had to get by with a lot of crap and did whatever they could do, but the older I get, the harder it is for me to tolerate reading it.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you happen to live in St. Paul, MN, then this book might be a 4-star. I do and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the 1930's in St. Paul. If this novel reflects the truth of the time, St. Paul was a wild place to live in the 1930's. I wouldn't have wanted to live there, especially as a woman or a person of color.

[Rick Morcos]

The Wheat Field and The Weatherman were excellent. Can't wait to read Saint Mudd

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Love the St Paul gangsters and all the landmarks.

[Heather Hartsel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting fictional account based on real life events about the famous gangsters that spent time in St. Paul, MN.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites. Gangster scene in at. Paul

[Sunny Meadow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, as a St. Paulite, great. But there is one scene that mad me almost stop reading. An old school opinion on women shining through an otherwise good book.