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The Scribe
A reckoning with the persistence of evil in post–Civil War Atlanta.
After leaving Atlanta in disgrace three years before, detective Thomas Canby is called back to the city on the eve of Atlanta's 1881 International Cotton Exposition to partner with Atlanta's first African American police officer, Cyrus Underwood. The case they're assigned is chilling: a serial murderer who seems to be violently targeting Atlanta's wealthiest black entrepreneurs. The killer's method is both strange and unusually gruesome. On each victim's mutilated body is inscribed a letter of the alphabet, beginning with "M." The oligarchy of Atlanta's most prominent white businessmen—the same men who ran Canby out of town, known more openly before Reconstruction as "the Ring"—is anxious to solve the murders before they lose the money they've invested in both the exposition and the city's industrialization, even if resolution comes at the expense of justice.
After Canby's arrival the murders become increasingly disturbing and unpredictable, and his interference threatens to send the investigation spinning off in the wrong direction. As the toll of innocent victims rises, Canby must face down enduring racism, and his own prejudices, to see clearly the source of these bloody crimes. Meanwhile, if he can restore his reputation, he might win back the woman he loves.
With scrupulous attention to historical detail, Edgar Award finalist Matthew Guinn draws readers into a vortex of tense, atmospheric storytelling, confronting the sins and fears of both old South and new.
After leaving Atlanta in disgrace three years before, detective Thomas Canby is called back to the city on the eve of Atlanta's 1881 International Cotton Exposition to partner with Atlanta's first African American police officer, Cyrus Underwood. The case they're assigned is chilling: a serial murderer who seems to be violently targeting Atlanta's wealthiest black entrepreneurs. The killer's method is both strange and unusually gruesome. On each victim's mutilated body is inscribed a letter of the alphabet, beginning with "M." The oligarchy of Atlanta's most prominent white businessmen—the same men who ran Canby out of town, known more openly before Reconstruction as "the Ring"—is anxious to solve the murders before they lose the money they've invested in both the exposition and the city's industrialization, even if resolution comes at the expense of justice.
After Canby's arrival the murders become increasingly disturbing and unpredictable, and his interference threatens to send the investigation spinning off in the wrong direction. As the toll of innocent victims rises, Canby must face down enduring racism, and his own prejudices, to see clearly the source of these bloody crimes. Meanwhile, if he can restore his reputation, he might win back the woman he loves.
With scrupulous attention to historical detail, Edgar Award finalist Matthew Guinn draws readers into a vortex of tense, atmospheric storytelling, confronting the sins and fears of both old South and new.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2015
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About the author
Matthew Guinn
4 books69 followersA native of Atlanta, Matthew Guinn holds degrees in English from the University of Georgia, the University of Mississippi, and the University of South Carolina, where he was personal assistant to the late James Dickey. He lives in Jackson, Mississippi, and teaches creative writing at Belhaven University.
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October 31, 2015After 101 pages I DNF'd this one. The writing was pleasant, the backdrop interesting, but it lacked the depth needed to grab my soul; and keep my attention for the additional twoish hours that would have been needed to finish it.
To go on with my little whine --for I did want to love this book-- let me tell you what the problem was for me. But first, the good. The writing was fine. The pages fled by. Guinn writes pleasant sentences and this book is a quick read. So that was all good.
But the horror wasn't particularly horrible. It should have been. The crimes were horrendous but they are held at such a distance that they lacked any impact. The same could be said of the characters. We see them moving through the story but there isn't much engagement with them. I didn't feel their anger, their disgust. Show don't tell.
I wanted, as I said, to really like this book and as the opening pages began to lay out the story I ignored the cliche elements and was really looking forward to this wronged sheriff with the school mistress sweetheart to work on this mystery with Atlanta's first black policeman. Unfortunately the chemistry, at least in the first 101 pages, wasn't there. Not a glimmer.
And we are cheated of the detective work. There is no Holmesian examination of the scene. We aren't let into the observational process or given any but the vaguest clues. I've no doubt in the remaining pages that more folk will die, but I can't see how the red herring chase is going to be all that exciting since we'll be told we're on the chase and won't suspect the culprit ourselves based on what we've made of the clues.
WHAT I REALLY THINK::: THE SCRIBE would make a pleasant rainy day read when you want something quick and easy but not challenging to go with your tea and cookie. And though it got Starred Ratings from Kirkus and Publisher's Weekly it couldn't keep my no-doubt jaded attention. So try it in your comfy chair but have a fall-back read available.
To go on with my little whine --for I did want to love this book-- let me tell you what the problem was for me. But first, the good. The writing was fine. The pages fled by. Guinn writes pleasant sentences and this book is a quick read. So that was all good.
But the horror wasn't particularly horrible. It should have been. The crimes were horrendous but they are held at such a distance that they lacked any impact. The same could be said of the characters. We see them moving through the story but there isn't much engagement with them. I didn't feel their anger, their disgust. Show don't tell.
I wanted, as I said, to really like this book and as the opening pages began to lay out the story I ignored the cliche elements and was really looking forward to this wronged sheriff with the school mistress sweetheart to work on this mystery with Atlanta's first black policeman. Unfortunately the chemistry, at least in the first 101 pages, wasn't there. Not a glimmer.
And we are cheated of the detective work. There is no Holmesian examination of the scene. We aren't let into the observational process or given any but the vaguest clues. I've no doubt in the remaining pages that more folk will die, but I can't see how the red herring chase is going to be all that exciting since we'll be told we're on the chase and won't suspect the culprit ourselves based on what we've made of the clues.
WHAT I REALLY THINK::: THE SCRIBE would make a pleasant rainy day read when you want something quick and easy but not challenging to go with your tea and cookie. And though it got Starred Ratings from Kirkus and Publisher's Weekly it couldn't keep my no-doubt jaded attention. So try it in your comfy chair but have a fall-back read available.
April 1, 2018
DNF!
I gave up! I tried both reading the book and listening to the audiobook, but neither worked for me. The story seemed interesting, but the characters left no impression on me. For instance, one character showed up, just to be killed off a soon after, and I had already forgotten his name. This is just such a bland book with underdeveloped characters that I struggled to not let my mind wander whiles listening to the book.
I gave up! I tried both reading the book and listening to the audiobook, but neither worked for me. The story seemed interesting, but the characters left no impression on me. For instance, one character showed up, just to be killed off a soon after, and I had already forgotten his name. This is just such a bland book with underdeveloped characters that I struggled to not let my mind wander whiles listening to the book.
February 14, 2022
I liked this book and picked it out to read mainly because of the setting--the post-Civil War South. I have read a lot about the Civil War, both fiction and non-fiction, but now I want to read more about the time period following that war--the Reconstruction Era and then the rise of the "Jim Crow" South. An important part of the setting in this story is the International Cotton Exposition which was held in Atlanta in 1881. This was a type of World's Fair (remember those?) which was held to showcase "the New South" and the development of industry and commerce in the former Confederacy. The problem is that there appears to be a serial murderer loose in Atlanta and this threatens the success of the Exposition, with a lot of prominent citizens threatened with losing their investments if the fair fails. Thomas Canby is called in to work on the case. It turns out he left Atlanta in disgrace--so this will be his chance to get back in the good graces of the city leaders.
I thought Canby's partner was a more interesting character than Canby and the story should have focused more on him--Cyrus Underwood, Atlanta's first black police officer. While this book worked as a good whodunit, I have to admit that I was very put off by the villain turning out to be an unkillable Michael Myers type. Sorry, if that's too much of a spoiler, but, for that reason, I almost gave this one 3 stars. But I generously give it 4 stars and wish everyone a happy new year of good reading!
I thought Canby's partner was a more interesting character than Canby and the story should have focused more on him--Cyrus Underwood, Atlanta's first black police officer. While this book worked as a good whodunit, I have to admit that I was very put off by the villain turning out to be an unkillable Michael Myers type. Sorry, if that's too much of a spoiler, but, for that reason, I almost gave this one 3 stars. But I generously give it 4 stars and wish everyone a happy new year of good reading!
October 26, 2015
The idea of a post-Civil War Atlanta-set mystery with the first African American detective holds so much promise. Several professional reviews cite historical detail as a draw, but my disappointment was that I did not feel immersed in the time and place as I'd hoped. The mystery was thin, and the crimes seemed an effort to impose modern-day serial killer tropes on a perfunctory investigation. Characterization could have been the saving grace, but that was discouragingly flat, too -- although an exchange near the close of the book offered the first spark of something truly interesting in how the two partners collaborate and challenge each other. Perhaps this book largely serves to table-set for the rest of the series, but I'd had higher hopes for it on its own merits.
audiobook note: Lloyd James does a fantastic job introducing subtle distinctions in regional accents among those of different backgrounds, education, and race, especially with so many male characters to track. The Southern dialect never seems caricature, and there is a respect for the place each character holds in the society and in the narrative. Because I had difficulties with the story, I did wonder if this perhaps is a book that may be better to read in print rather than audio, but given that the narrator's performance was one of the only facets I fully admired, I don't know that an alternate medium would have improved my experience.
audiobook note: Lloyd James does a fantastic job introducing subtle distinctions in regional accents among those of different backgrounds, education, and race, especially with so many male characters to track. The Southern dialect never seems caricature, and there is a respect for the place each character holds in the society and in the narrative. Because I had difficulties with the story, I did wonder if this perhaps is a book that may be better to read in print rather than audio, but given that the narrator's performance was one of the only facets I fully admired, I don't know that an alternate medium would have improved my experience.
July 6, 2017
It's unusual these days for me to give two stars to a book I read the whole way through (a two star usually means I've abandoned it midstream), but let me explain.
First, I was intrigued by the historical period Guinn was exploring, post-Civil War Atlanta, after Reconstruction had failed and the city was literally rising from the ashes of Sherman's siege to become a new power in the South. Second, his protagonist, Thomas Canby, had a complex backstory -- an Irish American who joined the Union Army near the end of the war for the purpose of trying to assassinate William Tecumseh Sherman, whose bombardment had killed his father.
But much of this book was just a mess. It involves Canby and a new black detective, Cyrus Underwood, being assigned to track down a serial killer. Even though 20 years have passed since the end of the Civil War, the idea that a black man was working in post-Reconstruction Atlanta as a homicide detective was hard to credit.
The victims, at first, are prosperous black citizens. Besides being hideously disfigured, they have figures carved into their foreheads. This gimmick creates flaw no. 2, which I can't describe without a spoiler alert -- let's just say it never made sense. Then other kinds of victims -- a prostitute and a pencil factory worker -- show up, muddying the waters.
The first suspect, a Jewish businessman, seems to be placed in the story merely to tell a melodramatic tale of prejudice and poor white rage, and is both predictable and tiresome. When the real killer is finally revealed, the motivation for his killings is barely understandable, and then he becomes a 19th century equivalent of Halloween's Michael Myers, surviving seeming destruction more than once in an entirely unbelievable way.
Finally -- and this may be petty -- Guinn wants to convey a strong sense of religious atmosphere to the novel, with much quoting of the Bible and references to church traditions, and yet he (and his editors) allow repeated references to the "Book of Revelations," which is grating and a practically unforgiveable editing error.
So, less than pleased.
First, I was intrigued by the historical period Guinn was exploring, post-Civil War Atlanta, after Reconstruction had failed and the city was literally rising from the ashes of Sherman's siege to become a new power in the South. Second, his protagonist, Thomas Canby, had a complex backstory -- an Irish American who joined the Union Army near the end of the war for the purpose of trying to assassinate William Tecumseh Sherman, whose bombardment had killed his father.
But much of this book was just a mess. It involves Canby and a new black detective, Cyrus Underwood, being assigned to track down a serial killer. Even though 20 years have passed since the end of the Civil War, the idea that a black man was working in post-Reconstruction Atlanta as a homicide detective was hard to credit.
The victims, at first, are prosperous black citizens. Besides being hideously disfigured, they have figures carved into their foreheads. This gimmick creates flaw no. 2, which I can't describe without a spoiler alert -- let's just say it never made sense. Then other kinds of victims -- a prostitute and a pencil factory worker -- show up, muddying the waters.
The first suspect, a Jewish businessman, seems to be placed in the story merely to tell a melodramatic tale of prejudice and poor white rage, and is both predictable and tiresome. When the real killer is finally revealed, the motivation for his killings is barely understandable, and then he becomes a 19th century equivalent of Halloween's Michael Myers, surviving seeming destruction more than once in an entirely unbelievable way.
Finally -- and this may be petty -- Guinn wants to convey a strong sense of religious atmosphere to the novel, with much quoting of the Bible and references to church traditions, and yet he (and his editors) allow repeated references to the "Book of Revelations," which is grating and a practically unforgiveable editing error.
So, less than pleased.
March 7, 2016
It's 1881 and Atlanta, having largely rebuilt itself after Sherman's destructive visitation, is just about to host the International Cotton Exposition which, it's hoped, will bring the city much-needed revenue. There's only one problem: Some maniac is murdering people and leaving their mutilated bodies with a letter carved in the forehead. If this gets out, the anticipated crowds -- and their cash -- might stay away.
So Atlanta's chief of police calls in Thomas Canby, a cop who left the city in disgrace a while back, having been framed for bribe-taking. Paired with Atlanta's first black police detective, Cyrus Underwood, Canby investigates as the killer strikes again . . . and again . . . The pair unveil a corruption that goes beyond the murders, while Canby himself must suffer again the pain of old sores.
It took me a while to settle down with this book. There were two reasons. First was that the opening chapters were rather clunkily written -- up to and including one of those dreadful episodes of exposition through dialogue, along the lines of "I know you know this already, but I'm going to tell you anyway." After the first few score pages, either Guinn began to hit his stride or I just stopped noticing.
The second difficulty I had was with the racism. The novel's set in a deeply racist society, and there's no getting round that. Canby himself is remarkably liberal for his day, but even he has a sort of ingrained reflexive racism -- he dislikes the notion of miscegeny, he's too quick to assume Underwood must be the guilty party when for a brief moment the finger of suspicion points that way, and so on. I think Guinn probably handled this -- and some antisemitism -- very well in the novel, but he obviously couldn't gloss over it too much, and would have been wrong to have done so: he is, after all, attempting to portray an age as well as tell a tale. So this problem I had with the book is my fault, not Guinn's; I find reading about racism and antisemitism quite painful.
After the clunky start noted above, the writing's fine, and I found myself racing through the rest, deeply invested in the fates of the various characters, particularly Underwood and Julia, Canby's girlfriend. Canby himself is quite an interesting character, in that he's not what you might call a 100% hero. Although he's largely admirable, he has traits that are anything but.
All in all, then, a book I can recommend, although I'd advise you to approach it with caution.
So Atlanta's chief of police calls in Thomas Canby, a cop who left the city in disgrace a while back, having been framed for bribe-taking. Paired with Atlanta's first black police detective, Cyrus Underwood, Canby investigates as the killer strikes again . . . and again . . . The pair unveil a corruption that goes beyond the murders, while Canby himself must suffer again the pain of old sores.
It took me a while to settle down with this book. There were two reasons. First was that the opening chapters were rather clunkily written -- up to and including one of those dreadful episodes of exposition through dialogue, along the lines of "I know you know this already, but I'm going to tell you anyway." After the first few score pages, either Guinn began to hit his stride or I just stopped noticing.
The second difficulty I had was with the racism. The novel's set in a deeply racist society, and there's no getting round that. Canby himself is remarkably liberal for his day, but even he has a sort of ingrained reflexive racism -- he dislikes the notion of miscegeny, he's too quick to assume Underwood must be the guilty party when for a brief moment the finger of suspicion points that way, and so on. I think Guinn probably handled this -- and some antisemitism -- very well in the novel, but he obviously couldn't gloss over it too much, and would have been wrong to have done so: he is, after all, attempting to portray an age as well as tell a tale. So this problem I had with the book is my fault, not Guinn's; I find reading about racism and antisemitism quite painful.
After the clunky start noted above, the writing's fine, and I found myself racing through the rest, deeply invested in the fates of the various characters, particularly Underwood and Julia, Canby's girlfriend. Canby himself is quite an interesting character, in that he's not what you might call a 100% hero. Although he's largely admirable, he has traits that are anything but.
All in all, then, a book I can recommend, although I'd advise you to approach it with caution.
February 5, 2017
1.5 ish stars.
I needed a good audiobook to listen to while roadtripping and selected this one over a few others because of its relatively short length and what I hoped would be its possession of a crime thriller/noir/southern gothic/historical fiction feel a la A Time to Kill or Night of the Hunter. I was disappointed on both counts.
This book is deceivingly short at less-than 300 pages. It seemed to drag on and on. I would zone out for several minutes during the drive before realizing that I was listening to a book, then try hard to pay attention, content myself that I hadn't missed much and inevitably space out again after a few more minutes. 7 hours into the story I still couldn't remember which character was named what and why I really cared about the "mystery" at its center. I say "mystery" because even though there is a gruesome unsolved crime and men working to solve it, it just doesn't feel mysterious. I felt little compulsion to remember what little clues were provided and speculate what might happen.
True, the setting is Atlanta in the late 1800s and there is crime afoot, but any sense of thrill or "noir" is absent. The only reminder I had of the setting was the southern accent lended to the characters by the voice actor (Llloyd James, who gives an honorable effort to infuse some life into the corpse).
Maybe if I had read this on a lazy summer day with a glass of lemonade and was able to pause occasionally to take a sip or relax on a lawn chair I would have enjoyed this. As it stands, I finished the audiobook and couldn't help feeling I had wasted a perfectly good car ride.
I needed a good audiobook to listen to while roadtripping and selected this one over a few others because of its relatively short length and what I hoped would be its possession of a crime thriller/noir/southern gothic/historical fiction feel a la A Time to Kill or Night of the Hunter. I was disappointed on both counts.
This book is deceivingly short at less-than 300 pages. It seemed to drag on and on. I would zone out for several minutes during the drive before realizing that I was listening to a book, then try hard to pay attention, content myself that I hadn't missed much and inevitably space out again after a few more minutes. 7 hours into the story I still couldn't remember which character was named what and why I really cared about the "mystery" at its center. I say "mystery" because even though there is a gruesome unsolved crime and men working to solve it, it just doesn't feel mysterious. I felt little compulsion to remember what little clues were provided and speculate what might happen.
True, the setting is Atlanta in the late 1800s and there is crime afoot, but any sense of thrill or "noir" is absent. The only reminder I had of the setting was the southern accent lended to the characters by the voice actor (Llloyd James, who gives an honorable effort to infuse some life into the corpse).
Maybe if I had read this on a lazy summer day with a glass of lemonade and was able to pause occasionally to take a sip or relax on a lawn chair I would have enjoyed this. As it stands, I finished the audiobook and couldn't help feeling I had wasted a perfectly good car ride.
September 24, 2018
“Atlanta…. Restored to her timetables. It did his soul good to see it.”
I always thought Atlanta seemed to be a city devoid of history.
When I was a kid, my family took a lot of trips to Southern towns, and in almost every one, you could see the spots where history was made. It’s not hard to visualize the siege of Vicksburg or the "Battle Above the Clouds" in Chattanooga because I can walk the same ground and see largely unchanged landscapes. Likewise, I’ve explored the Alamo, gazed in the mirror at Tujaque’s, and mused over the iron safe that doomed Jack Daniels. In all cases, those sites have been cared for with the clear intention of preserving their history.
Not so in Atlanta. Looking from the top of Kennesaw Mountain to the round dome of Stone Mountain, all I have ever seen in between is a massive sprawl of new buildings, new highways, new sports venues (No sooner had I set foot in Fulton County Stadium than it was razed and turned into a parking lot for Turner Field, which has since been vacated.).
The only significant historical site I ever encountered in the city limits was the Cyclorama, a 360-degree exhibit depicting the battle for an unrecognizable Atlanta in the Civil War. That event—the siege and sacking of Atlanta—sets the stage for this novel, which takes place over the course of a few weeks in 1881. The Civil War is over. So is Reconstruction. And in their aftermath, a unique Southern metropolis is gaining its footing.
Even though the author admits in the Afterword to have taken some liberties with specific historic events and locations, he also takes great care to paint the city as it once was. He uses the still-existing streets of Peachtree, Whitehall and Hunter (now MLK Drive) as anchors from which his characters venture into sidestreets and buildings that I assume must have stood near where the Omni and the Georgia Dome now stand….er, stood.*
That setting, in the hands of a gifted author, earns this book my five-star review. The plot (serial killer vs. detective thriller) isn’t usually my thing, but in this particular case, the chaotic, killer-on-the-loose storyline is an effective tool to show how the city itself seems to be a powerful living beast, surging forward in spite of the many (many) obstacles that seek to disrupt its progress. This book shows how the enthusiasm for new money and the hunger for a new beginning make it possible for Atlanta to overcome (or brush past) the festering racism and resentment that hampered much of the South for generations after the war. No matter how desperate the opposition, the Atlanta in this book is recognizable as one that will outgrow its limits many times over the next 100 years, consuming its own history as it goes.
*In a book that seems to be exceptionally mindful of geography, there is a confusing sequence in which the protagonist is racing from the lower end of Peachtree Street to Buckhead. They decide that the best route would be to take the Western and Atlantic's No. 9 train up the Marietta line. At some point in the journey, this train crosses a trestle, "the wood planks popping like shots and the Chattahoochee roiling below." For the life of me I can't figure out how the fastest route from downtown to Buckhead (maybe 10 or 12 miles, tops?) could cross the Chattahoocheee, which lies several miles to the west. It could be that the author drafted this passage with Marietta as the intended destination before changing to Buckhead. Or maybe this is just evidence that Atlanta traffic was a nonsensical nightmare from the very beginning.
I always thought Atlanta seemed to be a city devoid of history.
When I was a kid, my family took a lot of trips to Southern towns, and in almost every one, you could see the spots where history was made. It’s not hard to visualize the siege of Vicksburg or the "Battle Above the Clouds" in Chattanooga because I can walk the same ground and see largely unchanged landscapes. Likewise, I’ve explored the Alamo, gazed in the mirror at Tujaque’s, and mused over the iron safe that doomed Jack Daniels. In all cases, those sites have been cared for with the clear intention of preserving their history.
Not so in Atlanta. Looking from the top of Kennesaw Mountain to the round dome of Stone Mountain, all I have ever seen in between is a massive sprawl of new buildings, new highways, new sports venues (No sooner had I set foot in Fulton County Stadium than it was razed and turned into a parking lot for Turner Field, which has since been vacated.).
The only significant historical site I ever encountered in the city limits was the Cyclorama, a 360-degree exhibit depicting the battle for an unrecognizable Atlanta in the Civil War. That event—the siege and sacking of Atlanta—sets the stage for this novel, which takes place over the course of a few weeks in 1881. The Civil War is over. So is Reconstruction. And in their aftermath, a unique Southern metropolis is gaining its footing.
Even though the author admits in the Afterword to have taken some liberties with specific historic events and locations, he also takes great care to paint the city as it once was. He uses the still-existing streets of Peachtree, Whitehall and Hunter (now MLK Drive) as anchors from which his characters venture into sidestreets and buildings that I assume must have stood near where the Omni and the Georgia Dome now stand….er, stood.*
That setting, in the hands of a gifted author, earns this book my five-star review. The plot (serial killer vs. detective thriller) isn’t usually my thing, but in this particular case, the chaotic, killer-on-the-loose storyline is an effective tool to show how the city itself seems to be a powerful living beast, surging forward in spite of the many (many) obstacles that seek to disrupt its progress. This book shows how the enthusiasm for new money and the hunger for a new beginning make it possible for Atlanta to overcome (or brush past) the festering racism and resentment that hampered much of the South for generations after the war. No matter how desperate the opposition, the Atlanta in this book is recognizable as one that will outgrow its limits many times over the next 100 years, consuming its own history as it goes.
*In a book that seems to be exceptionally mindful of geography, there is a confusing sequence in which the protagonist is racing from the lower end of Peachtree Street to Buckhead. They decide that the best route would be to take the Western and Atlantic's No. 9 train up the Marietta line. At some point in the journey, this train crosses a trestle, "the wood planks popping like shots and the Chattahoochee roiling below." For the life of me I can't figure out how the fastest route from downtown to Buckhead (maybe 10 or 12 miles, tops?) could cross the Chattahoocheee, which lies several miles to the west. It could be that the author drafted this passage with Marietta as the intended destination before changing to Buckhead. Or maybe this is just evidence that Atlanta traffic was a nonsensical nightmare from the very beginning.
May 31, 2025
I'll admit, I may be biased because I personally know the author--nah, it's simply a good book! I had read "The Resurrectionist," Dr. Guinn's first novel, a year or two ago, and I remembered it fondly. Still, my memory of the prose was foggy, so when I opened "The Scribe" and began to read, I was delighted by the beauty of each sentence. Page one hooks you with the word choice and descriptions! Absolutely lovely.
The characters were well-crafted as well, though I would expect nothing less from my creative writing professor. Canby was a joy to shadow and easy to route for. I expected to dislike Vernon, but he surprised me! I won't say much about Underwood for fear of spoilers, but I loved him as a character as well. I won't go through the whole roster, but I think each character served his or her purpose wonderfully.
If you like a good detective story, "The Scribe" is worth the read. I was shocked by the reveal and eager to keep reading to learn "how?" and "why?" and "what next??" Very good.
I will warn you, Reader, that this book is not for the faint of heart--or stomach. Some passages are quite gruesome, and there's a spiritual aspect that will leave you pondering.
I shouldn't have been surprised by the theological and philosophical discussions peppered throughout--Matthew loves a theme--but I pleasantly was so. I enjoyed each witty and thought-provoking conversation.
I await Dr. Guinn's next novel with high expectations. Thanks for everything, Matthew.
The characters were well-crafted as well, though I would expect nothing less from my creative writing professor. Canby was a joy to shadow and easy to route for. I expected to dislike Vernon, but he surprised me! I won't say much about Underwood for fear of spoilers, but I loved him as a character as well. I won't go through the whole roster, but I think each character served his or her purpose wonderfully.
If you like a good detective story, "The Scribe" is worth the read. I was shocked by the reveal and eager to keep reading to learn "how?" and "why?" and "what next??" Very good.
I will warn you, Reader, that this book is not for the faint of heart--or stomach. Some passages are quite gruesome, and there's a spiritual aspect that will leave you pondering.
I shouldn't have been surprised by the theological and philosophical discussions peppered throughout--Matthew loves a theme--but I pleasantly was so. I enjoyed each witty and thought-provoking conversation.
I await Dr. Guinn's next novel with high expectations. Thanks for everything, Matthew.
August 7, 2016
3.75 ★ Audiobook⎮I had a difficult time maintaining interest in this story for the entire seven hours. I enjoyed Guinn's writing style, but the story's overall effect fell a little short. Take the setting, for example. The story is set in reconstruction era Atlanta. I know that, because I read it in the synopsis. However, the story's atmosphere felt like it could have existed almost anywhere in the past. It wasn't anchored firmly enough to that particular time period to make the impression that I'm assuming the author intended it to have. When I think of a story having an "Old/New South" or "reconstruction era" setting, I expect something along the lines of what Donald McCaig was able to produce in Rhett Butler's People or Ruth's Journey, something all-encompassing. I certainly expect something more than the occasional use of old Southern expressions like "cottoning" and descriptions of blatant racism, which is not nearly specific enough to the 19th century to be able to lend weight to a particular historical setting. The promise of a richly historical setting was what I was most looking forward to with The Scribe and I came away more than a bit disappointed.
It was not all bad, though. Disappointments aside, the murder mystery plot itself was interesting. It was full of false leads and surprises. The plot seemed to reach its climax with the discovery of the murderer (the who in "whodunit", so to speak) in the middle of the audiobook. But, not so fast! Guinn had plenty more twists in store and they were bizarre. It got a little weird towards the end, but ironically, that's when my interest was most piqued. Although I wish the story had been told from Underwood's point-of-view, instead of Canby's (who largely bored me). In fact, all of the characters felt underdeveloped. More than once, I wondered if there was a prequel to this story that held the backstories of these characters. After scanning other reviews, I see that others had this thought as well. As a standalone novel, there wasn't enough development on any front, which left me with an niggling feeling of incompletion. With thirty minutes left in the audiobook, I was still wondering who certain characters were. However, it wasn't too much of a problem as long as I remain focused on the plot instead of the contextual details. Still, a little more character depth would have gone a long way toward really engaging me in the story and securing a four-star rating.
Narration review: This was my first experience with Lloyd James as narrator and honestly, he made more of an impression on me than the story did. There were times when I was utterly fascinated listening to the vocal distinctions he provided for different characters and would have to rewind because I lost my place in the story. Everything he did was en pointe. Forgive my informality, but this is one talented dude. I could argue that his accents and vocal abilities, in general, did more to subtly enhance the reconstruction era atmosphere than the writing did... I may not have been entirely enthralled with the story, but I still feel as if I am coming away a winner simply by discovering Mr. James. Silver linings, and all that. ♣︎
➜ This audiobook was graciously gifted to me by its narrator, Lloyd James, in exchange for a review containing my honest thoughts and opinions. Thanks, Lloyd!
It was not all bad, though. Disappointments aside, the murder mystery plot itself was interesting. It was full of false leads and surprises. The plot seemed to reach its climax with the discovery of the murderer (the who in "whodunit", so to speak) in the middle of the audiobook. But, not so fast! Guinn had plenty more twists in store and they were bizarre. It got a little weird towards the end, but ironically, that's when my interest was most piqued. Although I wish the story had been told from Underwood's point-of-view, instead of Canby's (who largely bored me). In fact, all of the characters felt underdeveloped. More than once, I wondered if there was a prequel to this story that held the backstories of these characters. After scanning other reviews, I see that others had this thought as well. As a standalone novel, there wasn't enough development on any front, which left me with an niggling feeling of incompletion. With thirty minutes left in the audiobook, I was still wondering who certain characters were. However, it wasn't too much of a problem as long as I remain focused on the plot instead of the contextual details. Still, a little more character depth would have gone a long way toward really engaging me in the story and securing a four-star rating.
Narration review: This was my first experience with Lloyd James as narrator and honestly, he made more of an impression on me than the story did. There were times when I was utterly fascinated listening to the vocal distinctions he provided for different characters and would have to rewind because I lost my place in the story. Everything he did was en pointe. Forgive my informality, but this is one talented dude. I could argue that his accents and vocal abilities, in general, did more to subtly enhance the reconstruction era atmosphere than the writing did... I may not have been entirely enthralled with the story, but I still feel as if I am coming away a winner simply by discovering Mr. James. Silver linings, and all that. ♣︎
➜ This audiobook was graciously gifted to me by its narrator, Lloyd James, in exchange for a review containing my honest thoughts and opinions. Thanks, Lloyd!
September 15, 2015
Matthew Guinn. G-u-i-n-n. Remember that name, because this Mississippi novelist is leaving his mark on the literary scene in the history/mystery genre.
His second novel, “The Scribe,” was released in September by W.W. Norton & Co. Within a few days, positive reviews were springing up on the web, social media and by word of mouth. “The Scribe” was unexpected considering that Guinn’s first novel, “The Resurrectionist,” was contemporary fiction. That book earned him honor as an Edgar Award finalist.
Though “The Scribe” and “The Resurrectionist” are set in different time periods, their protagonists are forced to face how far they will go to fight for what is right. Both novels give readers a taste of the ugly powers of racism and prejudice. It’s an environment where prejudgment isn’t limited to one race or another, but can be directed toward anyone for any reason – race, faith, wealth and personal prejudices.
This time, the author takes us back to Atlanta as she stood in the late 1880s, still reeling from the Civil War. Guinn takes readers into his imagination, letting them picture the war-worn city, its haggard citizens and its overhanging cloud of racism as it probably truly was. The author, an Atlanta native, builds his history/mystery on a foundation of historic details, events and mood. The result is a fast-paced murder mystery enhanced by fine detail and intriguing characters.
A gruesome murder has been discovered, and ex-detective Thomas Canby has been recruited back to the city that once turned its back on him. Members of a secret group of the rich and powerful, known as the Ring, think they have Canby in their back pocket. If he was shunned for embezzlement once, then why won’t Canby shade the truth in their direction this time? They pressure him to “solve the case” without regard to who is truly guilty or innocent.
The Ring is worried that the murders will threaten attendance at the 1881 International Cotton Exposition, an extravaganza that investors hope will bring money and recognition back to the New South.
Canby isn’t alone in the hunt. He’s been paired with virgin officer Cyrus Underwood, Atlanta’s first African American officer. Underwood is working his first case after his promotion from janitor. Since the killings have been mostly wealthy black entrepreneurs, Atlanta police want the investigation to appear that both races are working together to stop the mad man.
Suspicion points in all directions. Who is the murderer whose victims are left sliced, diced and with a capital letter carved into their body part? Is it a deranged human or the essence of pure evil?
Reasons for finding the killer point in all directions, too. Canby wants to clear his bad name and settle down with a school teacher. Underwood wants to prove that people of color are intelligent problem-solvers, are strong in their force and mostly, that they are not for evil.
Many innocents, those with no reason to be killed, die. The murderer, who has become more sloppy and careless, gets away. The score, especially Canby and Underwood, has not been settled. The circumstances set the backstory for what will hopefully be Guinn’s third book.
Until that next edition appears, readers can stay busy imaging who should play what role if “The Scribe” becomes a movie. My vote is for Matthew McConaughey (“Dallas Buyers Club” Oscar winner) and Jussie Smollett (“Empire” TV) show.
His second novel, “The Scribe,” was released in September by W.W. Norton & Co. Within a few days, positive reviews were springing up on the web, social media and by word of mouth. “The Scribe” was unexpected considering that Guinn’s first novel, “The Resurrectionist,” was contemporary fiction. That book earned him honor as an Edgar Award finalist.
Though “The Scribe” and “The Resurrectionist” are set in different time periods, their protagonists are forced to face how far they will go to fight for what is right. Both novels give readers a taste of the ugly powers of racism and prejudice. It’s an environment where prejudgment isn’t limited to one race or another, but can be directed toward anyone for any reason – race, faith, wealth and personal prejudices.
This time, the author takes us back to Atlanta as she stood in the late 1880s, still reeling from the Civil War. Guinn takes readers into his imagination, letting them picture the war-worn city, its haggard citizens and its overhanging cloud of racism as it probably truly was. The author, an Atlanta native, builds his history/mystery on a foundation of historic details, events and mood. The result is a fast-paced murder mystery enhanced by fine detail and intriguing characters.
A gruesome murder has been discovered, and ex-detective Thomas Canby has been recruited back to the city that once turned its back on him. Members of a secret group of the rich and powerful, known as the Ring, think they have Canby in their back pocket. If he was shunned for embezzlement once, then why won’t Canby shade the truth in their direction this time? They pressure him to “solve the case” without regard to who is truly guilty or innocent.
The Ring is worried that the murders will threaten attendance at the 1881 International Cotton Exposition, an extravaganza that investors hope will bring money and recognition back to the New South.
Canby isn’t alone in the hunt. He’s been paired with virgin officer Cyrus Underwood, Atlanta’s first African American officer. Underwood is working his first case after his promotion from janitor. Since the killings have been mostly wealthy black entrepreneurs, Atlanta police want the investigation to appear that both races are working together to stop the mad man.
Suspicion points in all directions. Who is the murderer whose victims are left sliced, diced and with a capital letter carved into their body part? Is it a deranged human or the essence of pure evil?
Reasons for finding the killer point in all directions, too. Canby wants to clear his bad name and settle down with a school teacher. Underwood wants to prove that people of color are intelligent problem-solvers, are strong in their force and mostly, that they are not for evil.
Many innocents, those with no reason to be killed, die. The murderer, who has become more sloppy and careless, gets away. The score, especially Canby and Underwood, has not been settled. The circumstances set the backstory for what will hopefully be Guinn’s third book.
Until that next edition appears, readers can stay busy imaging who should play what role if “The Scribe” becomes a movie. My vote is for Matthew McConaughey (“Dallas Buyers Club” Oscar winner) and Jussie Smollett (“Empire” TV) show.
July 11, 2015
Post Civil War and racial tension has never been higher in Atlanta. A shunned detective is pulled back to Atlanta to solve some brutal murders that seem to be the work of a serial killer bent on making a statement about those who profit from a major exhibition coming to the city. He is paired with the first black policeman on the force who may be just a publicity stunt and could be considered a suspect himself.
Political intrigue, a fascinating time in this country's history and a good ole fashioned murder mystery make this one fascinating read. You feel deeply for this troubled man who wants to avenge his family's hardships from the war and his own sad treatment from a city that he gave so much to. "The Scribe" reads like Caleb Carr mixed with "Copper" and asks the question - when a man has had everything taken away, will he still fight for what is right? My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
Political intrigue, a fascinating time in this country's history and a good ole fashioned murder mystery make this one fascinating read. You feel deeply for this troubled man who wants to avenge his family's hardships from the war and his own sad treatment from a city that he gave so much to. "The Scribe" reads like Caleb Carr mixed with "Copper" and asks the question - when a man has had everything taken away, will he still fight for what is right? My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
July 10, 2016
When you read what this book is about, it should be fabulous. Eh. I was able to finish it, and I did enjoy it, but it was not engaging. I felt separated from the characters and sadly the racial tension going on in the 1800's in Atlanta don't seem all that much removed from what is happening all over America now. Someone is killing Blacks. Nothing new there. The presentation is different though. Good story, good line up of events and I liked the back story but the whole book lacked emotion somehow. I cannot figure out why the characters were just too far away from me to be able to form an emotional attachment. I knew enough about them or maybe I was only informed instead of introduced. Maybe it was the narrator and then maybe it was the author. I don't know. 3 stars.
July 28, 2015
I won this book through Goodreads First-reads. Thank you Goodreads for sending me such a interesting book. It was just after the Civil war. Nothing was the same for everyone. Especially for Mr. Billingsley. Thomas Canby a policeman was called back to Atlanta to seek out a serial killer. These were times when people took the law into their own hands. The captured serial killer would only blame others for the evil he had done. A most unthinkable thing happened at the hanging of the killer. The author did such a great job of taking the reader to each scene.
October 21, 2015
A great historical novel of the old south. The crux of the novel is a murder mystery with two police officers, one a newly minted black detective and the other a former disgraced detective, on the hunt for a bizarre serial killer stalking the streets of Atlanta. Very good murder mystery and the historical setting is really richly done up. Good reading and recommended for historical fiction and or mystery fans as well.
October 3, 2015
Absolutely enthralling! You can't go wrong with this one for a great historical mystery. Most interesting is the atmosphere around Atlanta not long after the Civil War and the attitudes of its citizens toward African-Americans and William Tecumseh Sherman. Mr. Underwood, the first African-American detective on Atlanta's police force is superbly drawn. Excellent all-around!
August 16, 2015
I won a copy of this book thru the Goodreads First Reads Giveaways. The book had good character development and I loved the plot twists. Definitely recommend reading this one.
September 30, 2015
A wonderful gripping story. The descriptive language and the historical aspects make this a must read.
June 29, 2016
I should have listened to the previous reviewers and NOT wasted my time on this one. It sounded so promising, though.
September 3, 2015
Great read! Well-researched historical novel.
October 14, 2019
This simply isn't my kind of book. It has graphic violence with a Criminal Minds type TV crossed with Devil in the White City vibe. That obviously means that crime readers who like serial killer crimes leaning towards the gory side will like it.
The writing is good and it was very easy to consume. One thing it missed was sharing the sights, sounds and smells of Atlanta of the time with me except when an egg timer went off and all it had was descriptive prose.
The revelation of the killer unravels too fast and I had to go back and re-read a section just to make sure I had all the characters right. That might have been because there were a bunch of men's names repeated in quick succession and that is confusing when not done neatly.
Again, it is a short read which would suit crime readers so don't let me hold you back.
3 Jamesons out of 5.
The writing is good and it was very easy to consume. One thing it missed was sharing the sights, sounds and smells of Atlanta of the time with me except when an egg timer went off and all it had was descriptive prose.
The revelation of the killer unravels too fast and I had to go back and re-read a section just to make sure I had all the characters right. That might have been because there were a bunch of men's names repeated in quick succession and that is confusing when not done neatly.
Again, it is a short read which would suit crime readers so don't let me hold you back.
3 Jamesons out of 5.
October 18, 2021
The Civil War has ended and Atlanta is picking up the pieces and recovering from Sherman’s fire. An industrial revolution is on the brink and electricity is the next big thing but something sinister is happening as the city rebuilds.
Based on true historical events, this is a whodunnit about a detective given a second chance and a cast of questionable characters that will keep you guessing until the truth is revealed.
I was surprised to see quite a few bad reviews for this book on Goodreads but I have to disagree with most of them. A lot of readers complained this story was slow to develop but I appreciated the slow cadence of the storytelling. This book is dark and gritty and underneath the mystery is a study on human behavior and the nature of spiritual warfare.
The setting is especially interesting to me. Many historically relevant places in Atlanta are mentioned in the book and it was fun to try and visualize what they were like in the late 1800’s. As with any good historical fiction, I learned a lot. Atlanta is a city I’ve loved and explored for decades and this book exposed both the light and darkness within.
3/5 ⭐️ - I liked it.
Based on true historical events, this is a whodunnit about a detective given a second chance and a cast of questionable characters that will keep you guessing until the truth is revealed.
I was surprised to see quite a few bad reviews for this book on Goodreads but I have to disagree with most of them. A lot of readers complained this story was slow to develop but I appreciated the slow cadence of the storytelling. This book is dark and gritty and underneath the mystery is a study on human behavior and the nature of spiritual warfare.
The setting is especially interesting to me. Many historically relevant places in Atlanta are mentioned in the book and it was fun to try and visualize what they were like in the late 1800’s. As with any good historical fiction, I learned a lot. Atlanta is a city I’ve loved and explored for decades and this book exposed both the light and darkness within.
3/5 ⭐️ - I liked it.
December 3, 2017
This captivating novel is wonderfully written and thought-provoking. It is definitely worth your time!
September 23, 2015
1891 Atlanta, Georgia is a troubling place to be. The Civil War has recently ended and racism is prevalent throughout the city. Small steps, however, are being taken to equalize the situation. The first black police officer has been hired and black businessmen hold prestigious and profitable businesses throughout the city. There is something truly amiss, however, Black businessmen are being murdered, along with some whites, in a horrendous manner. Many have their heads cut off and all have a letter carved into their bodies.
Chief officer Vernon Thompson knows he can't handle this case with the resources he has on hand so he calls Thomant Canby, former disgraced Atlanta sheriff who was accused of taking a bribe three year ago, back to Atlanta in order to help solve the case. Thomas hopes that this case will clear his name and give him a chance to start anew.
.
The search for the killer is difficult because, other than the carved letters, no one knows what the motive might be. Vernon and Thomas differ as to who they think the perpetrator might be and this leads to more dissension in the ranks. Is it revenge, jealousy, retribution, or just pure evil?
The historical aspect of the novel is fascinating and forms a wonderful backdrop for the mystery novel. Atlanta is on the verge of a huge Cotton Exposition which they hope will draw as many visitors as the World's Fair. However, the supporters of the exposition are in huge debt and the success of the fair is not looking too good. The characterization is well drawn out and each protagonist is clearly drafted and unique. Will Thomas and Vernon succeed or will the forces of evil prevail?
Chief officer Vernon Thompson knows he can't handle this case with the resources he has on hand so he calls Thomant Canby, former disgraced Atlanta sheriff who was accused of taking a bribe three year ago, back to Atlanta in order to help solve the case. Thomas hopes that this case will clear his name and give him a chance to start anew.
.
The search for the killer is difficult because, other than the carved letters, no one knows what the motive might be. Vernon and Thomas differ as to who they think the perpetrator might be and this leads to more dissension in the ranks. Is it revenge, jealousy, retribution, or just pure evil?
The historical aspect of the novel is fascinating and forms a wonderful backdrop for the mystery novel. Atlanta is on the verge of a huge Cotton Exposition which they hope will draw as many visitors as the World's Fair. However, the supporters of the exposition are in huge debt and the success of the fair is not looking too good. The characterization is well drawn out and each protagonist is clearly drafted and unique. Will Thomas and Vernon succeed or will the forces of evil prevail?
September 3, 2015
Excellent. A fine piece of writing. Matthew Guinn proves with his second novel why his first novel, The Resurrectionist, was an Edgar Award Finalist. With a nod to the poetics he quotes, Hugo and Emerson among them, he weaves an intricate and atmospheric story of haunted ness. A detective haunted by a past in which he was wronged; an Atlanta haunted by it's Babylonian-like fall in the Civil War; and a gentleman haunted by something even more sinister than the agony of loosing his way of life in the war.
This is not just a crime novel or a thriller, though it is those as well, The Scribe is an historical literary fiction. Although exploring the ideas that came to define post Civil War America in the South within the ages old struggle of humanity to define the larger ideas of good and evil, madness and sanity, Guinn beautifully sets us in the minds of his characters and the place of 1881 Atlanta, without becoming bogged down in tedious detail and long winded oratory. Only 289 pages long, I devoured it in 2 evenings, thoroughly engrossed to the end. I received this book through Goodreads First reads because it was on my "to read" list, being eager to read Guinn's second effort. It was as beautifully written as The Resurrectionist.
In closing, I will quote some Emerson as well, realizing that some may not think they will like a crime thriller in historical literary form, "nature and books belong to the eyes that see them. It depends on the mood of the man whether he shall see the sunset or the fine poem." Here's to seeing both of them in this fine novel.
This is not just a crime novel or a thriller, though it is those as well, The Scribe is an historical literary fiction. Although exploring the ideas that came to define post Civil War America in the South within the ages old struggle of humanity to define the larger ideas of good and evil, madness and sanity, Guinn beautifully sets us in the minds of his characters and the place of 1881 Atlanta, without becoming bogged down in tedious detail and long winded oratory. Only 289 pages long, I devoured it in 2 evenings, thoroughly engrossed to the end. I received this book through Goodreads First reads because it was on my "to read" list, being eager to read Guinn's second effort. It was as beautifully written as The Resurrectionist.
In closing, I will quote some Emerson as well, realizing that some may not think they will like a crime thriller in historical literary form, "nature and books belong to the eyes that see them. It depends on the mood of the man whether he shall see the sunset or the fine poem." Here's to seeing both of them in this fine novel.
December 13, 2016
A serial killer is terrorizing Antebellum Atlanta, who if not caught quickly will jeopardize the success of the upcoming 1881 International Cotton Exposition. Prominent black businessmen are found dead with a single letter carved into their forehead. Detective Thomas Canby, a disgraced former Atlanta policeman, is called back into town to help find the killer. He is partnered with Atlanta's African-American police officer, Cyrus Underwood.
After reading the blurb on the inside dust jacket flap, I was eager to read this book, especially the relationship between the two officers. I was disappointed to find that Underwood made very few appearances in the book. When he did make make appearance there was little substance, the character was not fleshed out. The reader never understood the motivations behind this character. Did he have a past? How did he break the racial barrier to become the first black police officer? For a character that received top billing on a book's dust jacket flap, I expected more than I read.
After reading the blurb on the inside dust jacket flap, I was eager to read this book, especially the relationship between the two officers. I was disappointed to find that Underwood made very few appearances in the book. When he did make make appearance there was little substance, the character was not fleshed out. The reader never understood the motivations behind this character. Did he have a past? How did he break the racial barrier to become the first black police officer? For a character that received top billing on a book's dust jacket flap, I expected more than I read.
September 2, 2015
The Devil, or at least a man who fancies himself such, is stalking the streets of Atlanta in 1881, leaving in his wake mutilated corpses, each with an initial carved on their forehead.
It’s not an auspicious time for such goings on as the good citizens of the city are celebrating an industrial rebirth with the opening of the International Cotton Exposition and William Tecumseh Sherman, who once destroyed the city, is coming back as an honored guest.
Intent on stopping the murderer in his tracks, the “ring,” Atlanta’s leading businessmen, summon disgraced former lawman Thomas Canby, dangling the carrot of an opportunity to restore his reputation. Canby, who fought for the Union in the late war, though not out of patriotism, is paired with Cyrus Underwood, the city’s first black police officer. As might be expected, there are some tense moments as the two become acclimated to one another.
This well-paced and atmospheric narrative shows men are fully capable of evil without the help of the occult.
Guinn has written a crackerjack follow up to his Edgar finalist first period mystery. And, the ending of The Scribe dangles the promise of more adventures in a follow up with the same team.
It’s not an auspicious time for such goings on as the good citizens of the city are celebrating an industrial rebirth with the opening of the International Cotton Exposition and William Tecumseh Sherman, who once destroyed the city, is coming back as an honored guest.
Intent on stopping the murderer in his tracks, the “ring,” Atlanta’s leading businessmen, summon disgraced former lawman Thomas Canby, dangling the carrot of an opportunity to restore his reputation. Canby, who fought for the Union in the late war, though not out of patriotism, is paired with Cyrus Underwood, the city’s first black police officer. As might be expected, there are some tense moments as the two become acclimated to one another.
This well-paced and atmospheric narrative shows men are fully capable of evil without the help of the occult.
Guinn has written a crackerjack follow up to his Edgar finalist first period mystery. And, the ending of The Scribe dangles the promise of more adventures in a follow up with the same team.
September 26, 2015
Really 4.5 stars: From the very first page I could tell that this was not your ordinary historical mystery, who done it.
This is Matthew Guinn at his best, he creates a feeling of constant impending fear, capturing the look, feel, and essence of the south, after the great North and South war. Paranoia is rampant, poverty, is everywhere.
Georgia is in the throws of trying to heal, from being set afire, and the few wealthy black entempreuers who have made the only profits that were available have established the International Cotton Expostion, in order to promote that profitable crop, to keep whatever money there is, flowing back into their own pockets.
After leaving Atlanta in disgrace, Detective Thomas Canby returns and is partnered up with Atlanta's first African American police officer, Cyrus Underwood. They are assigned to a disturbing case involving a gruesome serial killer who seems to be targeting these wealthy men, but very few of Atlanta's most prominent white businessmen, who previously ran Canby out of town do not want to trust him and are thwarting his every move.
With a rush to judgement, and racial tensions reaching an all time high, who will eventually pay the highest price, before the right murderer is brought to justice?
This is Matthew Guinn at his best, he creates a feeling of constant impending fear, capturing the look, feel, and essence of the south, after the great North and South war. Paranoia is rampant, poverty, is everywhere.
Georgia is in the throws of trying to heal, from being set afire, and the few wealthy black entempreuers who have made the only profits that were available have established the International Cotton Expostion, in order to promote that profitable crop, to keep whatever money there is, flowing back into their own pockets.
After leaving Atlanta in disgrace, Detective Thomas Canby returns and is partnered up with Atlanta's first African American police officer, Cyrus Underwood. They are assigned to a disturbing case involving a gruesome serial killer who seems to be targeting these wealthy men, but very few of Atlanta's most prominent white businessmen, who previously ran Canby out of town do not want to trust him and are thwarting his every move.
With a rush to judgement, and racial tensions reaching an all time high, who will eventually pay the highest price, before the right murderer is brought to justice?
October 14, 2015
This historical fiction novel is set in post Civil War Atlanta 1881. Detective Thomas Canby is called back to Atlanta where he had left three years before in disgrace. He is to partner with the city's first African American police officer, Cyrus Underwood. It is the eve of the city's International Cotton Exposition and there is a serial murderer targeting the wealthiest black entrepreneurs. Atlanta's most prominent white businessmen formerly known as the Ring, want Canby to help solve the murders before they lose the money they've invested in the exposition and the city's industrialization. The murders are gruesome and become more disturbing and unpredictable. Canby has to face enduring racism to solve the case.
December 13, 2015
I'll be honest, this book caught my eye because the author and I share the same surname. However, the inside cover synopsis did sound interesting. This is a historical novel which takes place in 1881 Atlanta at the beginning of the International Cotton Exposition. Thomas Canby, a disgraced ex-Atlanta police detective, is called back as a police consultant to investigate two murders of wealthy black men and a serial killer is suspected. He is teamed with Atlanta's first ever black detective who is also considered a suspect for the murders by the Chief of Police. The plot is somewhat convoluted and the author's story telling style is oblique and abstract. It was a struggle to finish.
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